Easter Sunday yesterday marked the end of the six weeks of Lent. During that time I was basically off-line and focusing on spiritual work. But I also took a chance to rewatch the 1967 film Far From the Madding Crowd which I first saw at its debut when I was twenty. I remembered very little from that time except finding Alan Bates very attractive. I had no memory of the "old" suitor competing for the heroine's hand.
In a marked departure from my first experience of the film, I watched it on-line. The original screened in an huge Boston movie house, taking full advantage of the panoramic scenes of farm and moors. On my device they lacked real impact. But the biggest shock was my focus on Peter Finch. At that time Finch seemed to me to be very very old and unworthy of Bathsheba's attentions.
Time does wonders! I truly appreciated Finch's anguish over his unrequited love. I was constantly annoyed by Julie Christie's half-hearted acting. Even Bates had lost some of his appeal. It's still a great film with excellent casting of extras who look as if they came straight out of the 19th century. The farm and dwelling scenes faithfully recreate copies of their originals.
My granddaughter has directed me to the 2015 remake. I asked her if it had a musical intermission. Startled by the question, she asked me what I meant. When I explained that the long movie had a built in break she allowed it was a good idea. Much better, she said, than having to rush out mid film. 32 ounce Cokes and long movies could still use an intentional pause.
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