“ Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife, Their sober wishes never learned to stray”
So goes the Poem.
I’ve spring cleaned the living room today.Scrubbing away the soot and dust and washed curtains, carpets and upholstery, stopping here and there to catch up with 1967 film Far From The Madding Crowd before sweeping away dirty cobwebs like a tubby Snow White with my feather duster.
Far From the Madding Crowd was a long movie and was filled with the beautiful people of the day. Terence Stamp was glorious as was Julie Christie but Alan Bates was a bloody lovely hunk of spunk, and made for a very believable Victorian shepherd.
The film finished just short of 5 pm and so did my cleaning
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ReplyDeleteGone so soon???
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DeleteHow very satisfying. Now you can relax:-)
ReplyDeleteI’m buggered
DeleteLucky you . . . sorry . . . ;-)
DeleteIf only
DeleteI remember going to the cinema with school to watch it as it was our set book for English. We all (all girls school) thought Terence Stamp as Sgt Troy was quite dashing, but have to admit, Alan Bates was the one who got my pulse going. If you fancy a cleaning job, I know of one house that could do with a good bottoming! xx
ReplyDeleteI saw Stamp Walking down Oxford Street a few years ago , he still looks impressive
DeleteYou are putting us all to shame!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks lovely and homely xx
I’m starting on a roll
DeleteEasier when you are on your own!
DeleteJohn, you've put me to shame. I wish I had some of your zest. I've been trying to catch up here at home after a couple of years of attending to staying healthy and feel like I'll never be able to do it. Your place looks so warm and loved for....the pooches add to that! I'm happy to see you consistently staying on an even keel. (Okay, okay...very consistently!) Continued best wishes for 2024 to ya! Hugs from the base of the mini-mountain in Maine where we've about six inches of snow since Saturday evening! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHappy new year Regina …
DeleteEnjoy the satisfaction of a job well done! I always enjoyed Alan Bates in a movie but I don't think I ever saw that one.
ReplyDeleteIt was my first time , although I did enjoy Matthias Schoenaerts in the 2015 remake
DeleteAs happy hooker said, it was our set book for 'O' Level English and we were all taken to the cinema to watch the film. So romantic and wonderful actors. I don't think a modern remake would ever compare.
ReplyDeleteThe 2015 remake was impressive I thought
DeleteWe "did" Far From the Madding Crowd for O level too - and attended an all girls school - Mum said we were St Trinians x
ReplyDeleteI bet lol
DeleteWhat a cozy home (and wonderful clean!) and a great movie, too. Tome to rest, for sure.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Yes a productive day xx
DeleteWe are the same age John. Where do you find your energy? The cottage looks fantastic! Jackie
ReplyDeleteI’m buggered
DeleteI did love the original with Alan Bates but have you seen the 2015 version with Carey Mulligan, Michael Sheen and the gorgeous Matthias Schoenaerts as Gabriel Oak the sheep farmer { swoon } He is also in A Little Chaos with Kate Winslet { more swooning }? Sometimes I watch the originals and they can look a little old fashioned now. { although still worth watching.} XXXX
ReplyDeleteYes I mentioned the remake earlier ,
DeleteHere is my 9 year old review
https://disasterfilm.blogspot.com/2015/05/far-from-madding-crowd.html
Raymondo’s original review ( 2015)
ReplyDeleteRaybeard7:56 am
I must be about the only one who did NOT have a crush on Terence Stamp, though that was more because he was playing such an unsympathetic 'boundah' of a character. I fancied Alan bates much more - both way back in '67 and now. (Yes, yes, I know that Bates has been gone since some years).
Thanks for posting thus, JayGee. Of course I'd totally forgotten those words which now sound like they came from someone other than meself.
DeleteI too had a crush on Alan Bates, particularly in his late 1960s period. For me his ultimate attraction came in 'The Go-Between', though 'Madding Crowd' was very close too.
Anything by Thomas Hardy is a wonderful read. I even bought a C.D., called Songs of the Woodlanders, (sort of country yokel music performed after too much cider), to accompany my readings. Drove the family up the effin' wall, when it was played the C.D went missing, never been seen again! Tess
ReplyDeleteI find myself more interested in the local farmers
DeleteAh yes, l remember the 'Bonanza' boys all dishy except for poor 'Hoss Cartwright. 'Spect you are a bit too young to remember this John boy, but l'm sure you would have found them dishy too. There's an old description you don't hear anymore
DeleteTess
I think the 2015 version beats all, I love everything about it, perfect casting, clothes, setting. Gabriel Oak - what a dream!
ReplyDeleteI think u are right
DeleteAny time you'd like to come over and clean my place . . .
ReplyDeleteI love the 1967 version of Far from the madding crowd.
ReplyDeleteSue
Not related to this post, but have you seen this “new start after 60” article in The Guardian 11/23? Sounds a little like you!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/nov/06/a-new-start-after-60-ive-been-an-accountant-a-sailor-a-goat-breeder-now-im-a-counsellor
“Morag Chisholm was 67 when she completed an MA in relationship therapy and began to work as a counsellor. “The wonderful thing was that at no point did anyone suggest I was too old,” she says. “I could use all the knowledge, life experience and wisdom accumulated over the years to benefit others.”
It tried to snow here yesterday afternoon (unsuccessfully) so FFTMC would have been perfect. Sadly I didn't see that it was on.
ReplyDeleteI loved Terence Stamp back in the day. He has aged very well and is still looking great.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had your energy and enthusiasm for cleaning. I hate housework but do it so I don't live in a hovel.
You've worked so hard and the cottage looks great. Cleaning is much easier with a film or music to accompany!
ReplyDeleteI love the book and both films. But I think the 2015 Gabriel Oak was closest to how I had imagined him from the book and he was simply gorgeous.
I met Alan Bates once many years ago. There was something vaguely sad about him - Bel Ami
ReplyDeleteI don't think Alan Bates was ever the same after his son died. He never did anything for me, as personality or performer, I was a great Terry Stamp fan back in the day. Even in advanced old age he is still handsome, and he still has 'it.' He used to regularly come up to what was then my local theatre, very modest and self effacing, very low key; so he was rarely ever recognised. In their early days he shared a flat with Michael Caine. They must have been memorable times!
ReplyDeleteThe cottage looks perfect. Another film I’m overdue to see.
ReplyDeleteWith you on Alan Bates--glorious man
ReplyDeleteI have never seen that movie. Maybe I'll rent it. I love Julie Christie in anything, even "Shampoo."
ReplyDelete