BLU-RAY REVIEW

Far From The Madding Crowd

Featured In Issue 204, February 2016

Picture5
Sound4.5
WSR Score4.5
Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
(Studio/Distributor):
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
2295617
(MPAA Rating):
PG-13
(Rating Reason):
Some sexuality and violence.
(Retail Price):
$$29.99
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
(Running Time In Minutes):
119
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
A
(Theatrical Year):
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
(Disc Release Date):
8/4/2015
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
(Director):
Thomas Vinterberg
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers):
(Co-Producers):
(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
(Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
(Disc Soundtrack):
DTS HD Lossless 5.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(French Language):
(Spanish Language):
(Subtitles):

Based on Thomas Hardy’s novel, Far From The Madding Crowd is the story of Bathsheba Everdene (Mulligan), a fiercely independent and spirited young woman who inherits her uncle’s farm. Financially autonomous (a rarity in Victorian times), beautiful and headstrong—she attracts three very different but determined suitors: Gabriel Oak (Schoenaerts), a sheep farmer, captivated by her willfulness; Frank Troy (Sturridge), a handsome and reckless Sergeant; and William Boldwood (Sheen), a prosperous and mature bachelor. This story of Bathsheba’s choices and passions, while trying to maintain her own independence, explores the nature of relationships and love—as well as the human ability to overcome hardship through resilience and perseverance. (Gary Reber)

Special features include nine deleted scenes (HD 17:54); nine featurettes: Bathsheba Everdene (03:17), The Suitors (HD 03:56), Adapting Far From A Madding Crowd (HD 04:32), The Look (HD 05:08), Gabriel Oak (HD 02:22), William Boldwood (HD 02:34), Sergeant Troy (HD 02:26), The Locations (HD 05:03), and Thomas Vinterberg (HD 04:07); gallery; theatrical trailer; upfront previews, and an UltraViolet digital copy.

The 2.40:1 1080p AVC picture was photographed on Kodak film stock in Super 35 using Panavision® cameras and lenses. The imagery exhibits an epic cinematic appearance. Filmed on location in southwestern England’s Dorset countryside, the picture is gorgeous, with a wonderfully rich and warm color palette. The cinematography is superbly visual, with nicely resolved fine film grain and an epic organic appearance. Hues are bold and vibrant, with excellent saturation that coveys a supremely natural appearance. Fleshtones are naturally hued and healthy. Contrast is well balanced with deep blacks and generally revealing shadow delineation. The imagery is clean and absolutely pleasing throughout. This is an epic visual experience that is reference quality. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is nicely executed with nuanced atmospherics and energized dynamics. Throughout Craig Armstrong’s orchestral and choral score is wonderful, with a wide and deep soundstage presence that extends to the surrounds. Atmospherics and sound effects enhance the sense of realism and provide at times excellent pans within the soundfield. Deep bass is presented naturally throughout. Dialogue is clean, with generally good spatial delineation, though, ADA is wanting at times. This is a wonderful soundtrack with a holosonic® presence. (Gary Reber)