Far from the Madding Crowd

Shh. Hey.

Bathsheba Everdene.

Bathsheba.

The name has always sounded strange to me.

I don't like to hear it said out loud.

My parents died when I was very young,

so there's no one to ask where it came from.

I've grown accustomed to being on my own.

Some say even too accustomed.

Too independent.

Miss!

Miss!

My scarf.

I lost it.

You must be Farmer Oak.

Gabriel, yes.

My aunt's told me about you.

I'm working on her farm for the winter.

This is your land.

I'm trespassing.

You're welcome here.

Good afternoon, Farmer Oak.

Good afternoon, miss.

Come by, George.

George, away! Enough, George!

Enough!

Stand. Stand.

George, stand.

Away!

Away!

George, away!

He doesn't know when to stop, Young George.

What's this one called?

Old George.

Old George.

So you find me amusing, do you?

Goodness, it's Mr. Oak.

...and after that she was gonna be a governess.

But she was far too wild.

Always has been.

Oh!

Miss Bathsheba Everdene.

I've brought you a lamb.

Oh!

Thank you, Mr. Oak. He's such a dear thing.

He's come too soon and won't last the winter,

so I thought you'd like to rear it instead.

Thank you, that's very kind.

I'll make some tea.

The lamb is not why I came.

Go on.

Well, Miss Everdene, I wanted to ask...

Would you like to marry me?

I've never asked anyone before.

No.

I should hope not.

Well...

Perhaps I, erm, I should...

Perhaps I should leave. Mr. Oak,

there are things to consider.

Is someone waiting for you?

No, but that doesn't mean I'll marry you.

Good day to you, then.

Mr. Oak!

Mr. Oak! Wait!

I didn't say I wouldn't marry you, either.

I haven't ever really thought about it.

I have 100 acres and 200 sheep.

If I pay off the money, the farm is ours.

You could have a piano in a year or two.

Flowers and birds and a frame for cucumbers.

A baby or two.

Mr. Oak... Or more.

I will always be there for you.

Mr. Oak, I don't want a husband.

I'd hate to be some man's property.

I shouldn't mind being a bride at a wedding

if I could be one without getting a husband.

That's stupid talk.

You are better off than I, Mr. Oak.

I have an education and nothing more.

You could do much, much better than me.

That's not the reason.

I'm too independent for you.

If I ever were to marry,

I'd want somebody to tame me

and you'd never be able to do it.

You'd grow to despise me.

I would not.

Ever.

Good-bye, Miss Everdene.

What is it, old boy?

Stay here.

Stay here, Old George.

Stay here.

George!

George!

No!

It's all yours.

We take no pleasure in this.

We wish you well, Mr. Oak.

Bathsheba.

What is it?

My love. It's your poor uncle's will.

What does it say?

Read it.

Read!

He's left you everything. It's all yours.

Oh!

Oh, my goodness.

Take care, you hear.

Walk on.

Bye.

So who will join us, lads?

Which one of you fine boys

will put on the scarlet uniform

and proudly serve his Queen and country?

See the world.

Form an orderly line, gentlemen, at the front.

This gentleman in the straw hat,

step forward, sir.

That's my sweetheart, right there.

You, sir, next to the pretty lady.

There's a good strong figure of a man.

Join us, sir.

Go on. You'd make a fine soldier.

Always room in the ranks for a gentleman of your caliber.

It's a roof over your head. Food.

Who wants a fine wage?

Excuse me.

You might try Weatherbury. If you're looking for work,

there's a farm there needs all the help it can get.

Yes. The young lad there.

I will. Thank you.

And your friend as well.

You should have a cloak for a day like this.

Francis will take care of me.

We are to be married soon.

Good-bye.

Come on, a decent wage.

Make your family proud.

Food, shelter. Who will join us?

Go and wake up the other farms!

Get them down here! We need more hands!

We need more men now!

Wake them up!

Go and get the Smith brothers first.

Protect yourself, the fire's spreading!

Who's in charge here?

We're losing the ricks! The rick is lost.

We need to save the barn. Come on, help me!

Come on, get some more water! Get some more water!

We need to push this out. Come on!

Heave!

Heave!

Heave!

Come on, push!

Everybody out! Everybody out!

Water! More over here!

The barn's going up!

Get the sacks out, the root's about to go!

What's he doing up there?

We lose the barn, we lose everything.

Joseph, bring those brooms over

and let's get this sorted out.

Look sharp, men, the farmer's here.

Mr. Oak, is that you?

Perhaps you want a shepherd, ma'am?

I owe you an immense debt, Mr. Oak.

If I'd have lost all of this, I'd have lost my farm.

Your farm?

My inheritance.

My home, too, for a while when my parents died.

When my uncle passed away, he left it to me.

Of course, it's a little ragged now,

but this once used to be the finest farm for miles.

And I intend to make it so again.

Perhaps you find the idea preposterous.

I no longer have that luxury.

I'm truly sorry to hear of your loss, Mr. Oak,

but if our reversal of fortune

causes you any embarrassment...

Not at all, ma'am.

Billy Smallbury? 9 and 8 pence.

Joseph Poorgrass?

Go on, Joseph.

Go on, lad.

Hat off.

And what do you do, Joseph?

I does general things.

And in spring I shoot the rooks

and help at pig killing, sir.

I mean ma'am.

7 and 9 pence. And another 9 because I'm new.

Thank you, ma'am.

Now, Fanny Robbin?

Where is Fanny Robbin?

Where is she?

She's run away, ma'am.

She's gone off with a soldier, ma'am.