Far from the Madding Crowd Page #16

GABRIEL:

Miss Everdene needs me here.

BOLDWOOD:

And her farm would have priority.

He sees BATHSHEBA, holding back, watching. There’s something

gleeful about BOLDWOOD here, as if holding something back.

GABRIEL:

I would need Miss Everdene’s

permission.

BOLDWOOD:

But of course. I wouldn’t dare to

do anything without her blessing.

(GABRIEL contemplates)

If it helps sway your decision,

there’s an old colleague of yours

here

He opens a side door and out bounds -

OLD GEORGE. GABRIEL can’t help but laugh as the dog bounds

into his arms. BOLDWOOD watches with pleasure.

FFMC Shooting Script Sept 2013 83

BOLDWOOD (CONT’D)

He took some finding, Mr Oak. I

hope you’re pleased.

GABRIEL:

I am, sir. Very much.

BOLDWOOD:

And you’ll give me your decision

soon. Yes?

BATHSHEBA watches too.

140 INT. EVERDENE FARM - DUSK 140

BATHSHEBA and GABRIEL are sheltering from the rain in the

doorway. OLD GEORGE is there too - a memory of past times.

BATHSHEBA:

Farmer Oak, you’re getting on in

the world. I knew you would.

GABRIEL:

Only with your approval. You know

where my loyalty lies -

BATHSHEBA:

You’re a man of great talent, it’s

only natural that you should rise.

I’ve no desire to hold you back.

She smiles sadly, and he watches her go. Something has been

lost; her arrogance and vanity, but also her spirit and

exuberance.

140A EXT. FIELDS, EVERDENE FARM - DAY 140A

But the demands of farming are constant, and as late AUTUMN

passes into early WINTER, BATHSHEBA works away in the fields

140B INT. BEDROOM, EVERDENE FARM - NIGHT 140B

-and falls asleep, exhausted, fully-clothed, alone in this

big old house 141

INT. CHURCH, WEATHERBURY - DAY 141

A hymn. In the church, much has changed. GABRIEL has joined

MR BOLDWOOD in the private pews. In smart Sunday clothes, he

gathers many admiring glances.

BOLDWOOD, too, has lifted his spirits, singing out loud.

FFMC Shooting Script Sept 2013

84

BATHSHEBA, pale in her mourning black, keeps her eyes

forward.

142 EXT. FIELDS, EVERDENE FARM - DAY 142

BATHSHEBA is out hunting. Pheasants move in the undergrowth,

and she raises her gun to take aim...

But a noise startles them - they fly off, and she turns and

sees BOLDWOOD approaching on horseback.

An accidental encounter.

BATHSHEBA:

Mr Boldwood.

BOLDWOOD:

Mrs Troy.

BATHSHEBA:

We’ve not spoken since

BOLDWOOD:

No. We’ve not.

BATHSHEBA:

I was heading home, if you’d like

to...but perhaps you’re busy.

BOLDWOOD:

No. I’d like that. Very much.

143 INT. GREAT HALL, EVERDENE FARM - DAY 143

They sit, companionably, taking tea.

BATHSHEBA:

You were very kind to me that day.

I hope you’ll forgive me if I’ve

kept a certain distance. I’ve

been..not my old self.

BOLDWOOD:

No.

(a delicate matter)

Forgive me, I understand there are

debts.

BATHSHEBA:

You’ve heard then -

BOLDWOOD:

Your late husband

FFMC Shooting Script Sept 2013

BATHSHEBA:

Perhaps we should change the

subject

BOLDWOOD:

Perhaps I can help.

BATHSHEBA:

Mr Boldwood, that’s a kind offer,

but I would never dream of

borrowing -

BOLDWOOD:

Not money.

(He’s trying to restrain

himself. But no good - )

I’m a middle-aged man willing to

protect you for the rest of your

life. You may run your farm if you

wish, without risk. I’ll pay your

departed husband’s debts and

guarantee its financial stability.

It can be your pastime. Of course,

we’d need to wait, for propriety’s

sake. But when you are ready, I’m

offering you shelter, comfort. A

safe harbour. As my wife.

(a beat)

You must at least admire my

persistence.

She smiles at this.

BATHSHEBA:

I do

BOLDWOOD:

And like me?

BATHSHEBA:

Yes -

BOLDWOOD:

And respect me?

BATHSHEBA:

Yes, of course -

BOLDWOOD:

Which is it, like or respect?

BATHSHEBA:

I..it is difficult for a woman to

define her feelings in language

that is made by men to express

theirs. I know I do not love you.

(MORE)

FFMC Shooting Script Sept 2013 86

BATHSHEBA (CONT'D)

I know that I can never love you

the way a woman ought to love her

husband.

BOLDWOOD:

If you worry about a lack of

passion on your part, a lack

of...desire, if you worry about

marrying me merely out of guilt and

pity and compromise, well - I don’t

mind. I love you and, for my own

part, I’m content merely to be

liked.

144 INT. STABLE, EVERDENE FARM - NIGHT 144

BATHSHEBA and GABRIEL, wrapped up against the chill night,

stand shoulder to shoulder.

GABRIEL:

When must you give your answer?

BATHSHEBA:

By Christmas. It’s a terrible

responsibility, to hold a man’s

happiness in your hands. His sanity

too, perhaps.

GABRIEL:

Could you...care for him?

BATHSHEBA:

You mean love him? Let’s just

say...love is wanting. But then

love’s a worn-out, miserable thing

for me now, love for him or anyone.

And perhaps a marriage without love

is the price I have to pay.

It’s too much for GABRIEL.

GABRIEL:

Why are you asking me? Why not ask

Liddy or the parson -?

BATHSHEBA:

I need someone who’s clear-headed,

who’s objective, indifferent...

GABRIEL:

Then I’m afraid you ask the wrong

man.

And there it is. An admission. She does not answer

immediately.

FFMC Shooting Script Sept 2013

87

BATHSHEBA:

Well...thank you, Mr Oak

She stands, smiles sadly. And walks away.

145 EXT. COUNTRY LANE, BUDMOUTH - DAY 145

A TRAVELLER walks along a deserted country road. The overcoat

and uniform he wears - an ordinary merchant navy seaman’ - is

somewhat bedraggled and muddied, and the face is unshaven,

but he’s still recognisable as FRANCIS TROY.

A cart approaches. He waits until it’s near then hails the

DRIVER.

TROY:

Can you take me to Weatherbury?

(the DRIVER rides on.

TROY’s most charming

smile -)

It is Christmas.

The DRIVER slows TROY jumps on the rear of the cart.

146 EXT. FOREST, BOLDWOOD ESTATE - DAY 146

Axes thud into wood. A great pine is felled by WORKMEN as

BOLDWOOD looks on.

147 EXT. BOLDWOOD ESTATE - DAY 147

The steam tractor drags the immense tree towards BOLDWOOD’s

mansion.

148 INT. GREAT HALL, BOLDWOOD’S MANSION - DAY 148

The great tree stands in the process of decoration.

Christmas Eve preparations. A table is laid with meats, wine,

bread, even fruit. In pride of place -a pineapple!

BOLDWOOD presides over it all, glowing with hope and

excitement, a little manic perhaps as he shows GABRIEL

around.

BOLDWOOD:

So - what do you think?

(the room)

I’m not in the habit of organising

parties. Perhaps we should make it

an annual event, every Christmas

Eve. I’ve invited the whole

village, do you think they’ll come?

(MORE)

FFMC Shooting Script Sept 2013

88

BOLDWOOD (CONT'D)

Do you think Miss Everdene will

come?

OAK:

I’m sure she will.

Fussing in a mirror, he attempts adjust his tie, while

GABRIEL looks on.

BOLDWOOD:

You’ll stay too I hope? I know Miss

Everdene would like you to be here.

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