Far from the Madding Crowd Page #7

FFMC Shooting Script Sept 2013

33

BOLDWOOD:

Is Miss Everdene considered

attractive?

FARMER STONE:

(has he gone mad?)

Very much indeed.

FARMERS surround her, as she smiles, banters, negotiates with

a HANDSOME YOUNG MAN, all watched from BOLDWOOD’s P.O.V.

Another new experience - jealousy.

Suddenly she looks across, and catches his eye. Hurriedly he

looks away.

This is all new. For the first time in his life, his heart

has begun to move within him.

60A INT. BOLDWOOD’S MANSION - NIGHT 60A

And so he sits. Insomniac. All peace of mind lost.

61 EXT. YARD - DAY 61

End of May and the time comes for sheep-washing. To this end,

a series of fences have been set up, obliging the sheep to

enter a deep stonework pool.

Up to their chests in chill water, stand GABRIEL and his

assistant shepherd JAN. They must hold the panicked sheep

under water then hoist them on to dry land.

BATHSHEBA and LIDDY arrive.

LIDDY:

Careful you don’t get wet, Mr Oak!

GABRIEL:

Perhaps you’d care to lend a hand?

The MEN laugh.

BATHSHEBA:

You don’t think I could? Very well.

And BATHSHEBA strides towards the water and, without

hesitation, steps right in.

She is able and strong, smiling at the applause of the

laughter of the others then getting on with the work.

For one moment, in the muddy water, we see the shapes of

BATHSHEBA and GABRIEL’s hands meeting for a moment.

FFMC Shooting Script Sept 2013

34

62 EXT. YARD - DAY 62

BOLDWOOD, in his Sunday best, hears the shouts and splashes

of the sheep-dipping, and approaches. Then stops.

The most extraordinary sight. BATHSHEBA up to her waist in

the water, manoeuvring the sheep through the water.

LIDDY approaches him quickly and he speaks to her for a

moment, passing on a message.

LIDDY:

Mister Boldwood wondered if he

might have a word.

BATHSHEBA:

Mr Boldwood, of course, perhaps

later? I’ll need to -

BOLDWOOD nods and leaves. BATHSHEBA hauls herself out of the

water. The MEN exchange meaningful glances.

GABRIEL:

Back to work.

They do so. But GABRIEL can’t help but watch BATHSHEBA.

63 EXT/INT. TERRACE/GREAT HALL, BOLDWOOD’S MANSION - DAY 63

The house is beautiful. BATHSHEBA and BOLDWOOD stand on the

terrace, somewhat self-conscious.

BOLDWOOD:

One-thousand acres, a mix of arable

and livestock. An orchard. A

glasshouse. I have some interesting

pigs.

(BATHSHEBA laughs.

BOLDWOOD too)

Some other time perhaps.

BATHSHEBA and BOLDWOOD walk through the fine hall, BOLDWOOD

watching her, noting how she fits in here. This seems right.

BATHSHEBA:

You have a very beautiful house.

(no reply from BOLDWOOD)

Mr Boldwood?

BOLDWOOD:

Forgive me, perhaps I should...I’ll

speak plainly. I have felt lately,

more and more, that my present way

of living is bad, in every respect

bad. But we all change, and my

change in this matter came with

seeing you.

FFMC Shooting Script Sept 2013

And BATHSHEBA knows what must come next.

BOLDWOOD (CONT’D)

Miss Everdene, I want, very much,

more than anything, to have you as

my wife.

(grasping her hand - )

Miss Everdene - marry me!

BATHSHEBA:

I feel, Mr Boldwood, though I

respect you very much, I do not

feel - what would justify me to -

in accepting your offer.

BOLDWOOD looks as if he has been struck.

BOLDWOOD:

I see. I have known disappointments

in the past, and I wouldn’t have

asked in this instance if I hadn’t

been led to believe -

(he fumbles in his pocket,

the ENVELOPE)

Unless...unless I’m mistaken -

BATHSHEBA:

The valentine. No, you’re not

mistaken, but I should never have

sent it. Forgive me, it was

thoughtless to disturb your peace

of mind -

BOLDWOOD:

‘Thoughtless’?

BATHSHEBA:

Impetuous, frivolous

BOLDWOOD:

So - you meant it as a joke?

BATHSHEBA:

No! Not a joke, not exactly

BOLDWOOD:

Then a premonition perhaps? Of

future feelings?

BATHSHEBA:

I haven’t fallen in love with you.

Certainly I may say that. I like

and respect you very much but

you’re too...dignified for me.

FFMC Shooting Script Sept 2013

36

BOLDWOOD:

Too dignified? I see. Perhaps you

think I’m too old, but I’ll take

more care of you than anyone your

own age -

BATHSHEBA:

- I’m sure you would -

BOLDWOOD:

I’ll protect you, and care for you,

you shall have no worries, your

farm shall be looked after by a

man, you shall never have to so

much as look out of doors at

harvest time.

(BATHSHEBA shakes her

head)

You shall have dresses, a gig, a

piano -

(- and smiles, despite

herself)

I amuse you?

BATHSHEBA:

No, it’s only...I have my own

piano, and my own farm and I have

no need for a husband.

(BOLDWOOD doesn’t know

what to say)

I think I’d like to return home. My

hat, please...

BOLDWOOD:

Yes, yes of course. I’ll...I’ll get

someone to drive you. Your hat.

But he’s in something of a daze, knocked sideways by this

disappointment. BATHSHEBA sees this, and takes pity.

BATHSHEBA:

Mr Boldwood. I have made you

miserable. It was very wicked of me

-

And in her apology he sees his chance.

BOLDWOOD:

Will you reconsider?

She takes him in. Handsome, dignified. Would it be so bad?

BOLDWOOD (CONT’D)

Can I hope for a change of heart?

BATHSHEBA:

Don’t hope. Let me think.

FFMC Shooting Script Sept 2013

37

BOLDWOOD:

Yes. Yes, I’ll give you time.

(He smiles, gives her the

hat)

I will wait.

64 INT. WORKSHOP, EVERDENE FARM - DUSK 64

GABRIEL works alone by lamplight, sharpening blades on a

pedal-driven grindstone in anticipation of the impending

shearing. Sparks illuminate GABRIEL’s face.

BATHSHEBA:

You’re working late, Mr Oak.

GABRIEL:

We’ll need sharp blades for the

shearing.

His manner is subdued. There’s something on his mind. So

BATHSHEBA:

Will you teach me?

GABRIEL gives up his seat at the grindstone. BATHSHEBA sits

down, and GABRIEL sets the wheel in motion.

GABRIEL:

Here -

(he sits behind, arms

wrapped around her)

Incline the edge so. That’s right.

Like that.

His hands cover hers. The wheel spins. Too casually -

BATHSHEBA:

I wanted to ask, did the men say

anything today, about Mr Boldwood?

GABRIEL:

Yes they did.

BATHSHEBA:

What did they say?

GABRIEL:

That you’d be married before the

end of the year.

BATHSHEBA:

I see. Well I’d like you to

contradict it, to the men.

And any warmth there might have been instantly disappears.

The wheel spins, then GABRIEL speaks

FFMC Shooting Script Sept 2013

GABRIEL:

Well, Bathsheba -

BATHSHEBA:

‘Miss Everdene’ please -

GABRIEL:

- if Mr Boldwood did really speak

of marriage then I’m not going to

tell stories just to please you.

BATHSHEBA:

I said that I wanted you just to

mention that it was not true that I

was going to marry him.

GABRIEL:

I can say that if you wish. I could

also give an opinion of what you’ve

done.

BATHSHEBA:

I dare say, but I do not want your

opinion, Mr Oak!

GABRIEL:

I suppose not.

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