Unfortunately, I know both the Thomas Hardy novel and the 1967 film by John Schlesinger. This current adaptation fails to capture the solemnity of Hardy and the actors playing Bathsheba, Boldwood and especially Troy do not display sufficient depth and range of character. Still, the English lanscape is lovely. And Gabriel Oak winsome.

really 3.5 stars: the scenery was beautiful. I enjoyed it & found myself caught up in the story. There were a few times were the humor seemed almost silly but other times where it generated laughs in the theater. The audience also seemed engaged through out the movie.

The movie was entertaining but the plot really got a little lost two thirds in. I felt like I was watching the notebook again. The romance got a little melodramatic.

Beautifully shot., nicely acted, mediocre story