FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD- REMASTERED

I have to admit something to you all now- I am ashamed to say I have lived in Dorset for many years and never seen the original Far From the Madding Crowd.

So imagine my delight when StudioCanal announced they will be re-releasing the 1967 classic as a fully restored DVD on June 1.

It includes an interview with Terence Stamp and a look at all the locations both past and present.

The Jurassic coastline gives a brooding backdrop to the action as feisty, independent heroine Bathsheba Everdene (Julie Christie) navigates her way through the farming world when she inherits her uncle’s property.

In the meantime she captivates the hearts of three very different men, sheep farmer Gabriel Oak (Alan Bates), wealthy but tortured landowner William Boldwood (Peter Finch) and the reckless Sergeant Frank Troy (Stamp.)

Julie Christie’s performance is mesmerising from start to finish, perfectly capturing her character's charm, passionate nature, fierce desire to be independent and headstrong ways.

She is a delight to watch and captures the innocence and conflict of the character beautifully.

You almost want to jump into the screen and warn her when she meets the captivating and terrifying Troy. You want to scream: ‘Don’t fall for him! He’s a cad! Marry Gabriel Oak and save yourself a lot of heartache!’ But then that wouldn’t make a very compelling film.

Terence Stamp is pretty terrifying as Troy, a character who is reckless, passionate and only out for himself.

Stamp perfectly dominates every scene, casting a spell on the audience – at once both scary and enticing.

I think I held my breath for a lot of the last part of the film, willing Bathsheba to escape his clutches and be free and happy.

At two hours and twenty-ish minutes, you are in it for the long haul, but there’s a delightful surprise in the shape of an intermission in the middle (oh, those were the days!)

In short, this is a timeless, hypnotic and thrilling film, beautifully shot and capturing Dorset at its best.

CATHERINE BOLADO