Far from the Madding Crowd Page #4

(he doesn’t understand -

which is it?)

I really haven’t ever thought about

it. I need time to consider.

FFMC Shooting Script Sept 2013

9

GABRIEL:

But I know I can make you happy.

(she’s thrown by this)

I have one hundred acres, two

hundred sheep, When I pay off the

money, the farm is ours. You could

have a piano in a year or two.

Flowers and birds. A frame for

cucumbers. A baby perhaps, or two

BATHSHEBA:

Please, Mr Oak, that’s too much

GABRIEL:

- or more. And whenever you look up

I’ll be there, and whenever I look

up there’ll be you.

BATHSHEBA takes this in, imagines it, and makes her decision.

BATHSHEBA:

Mr Oak, I do not 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, but -

GABRIEL:

That’s just stupid talk.

With as much calmness and compassion as she can muster;

BATHSHEBA:

You are better off than I, Mr Oak.

I have an education and this dress

and nothing more. You can do much,

much better than me...

GABRIEL:

Maybe that’s true. But you know

that’s not the reason.

BATHSHEBA:

I’m too independent for you.

(this sounds more

plausible)

If I ever were to marry, I’d need

somebody to tame me, and you’d

never be able to do it. You’d grow

to despise me.

GABRIEL:

(with quiet simplicity)

I would not.

(she takes this in.

A moment, then -)

Goodbye, Miss Everdene.

FFMC Shooting Script Sept 2013

10

And with that he turns and goes.

For a moment she follows him, just a step or two. Then she

walks back to the cottage. One last look.

GABRIEL walks away, no turning back.

18

EXT. GABRIEL’S CARAVAN, NORCOMBE HILL - DAY 18

WINTER. Time passing.

GABRIEL is herding sheep as light snow falls. Hard, physical

work.

As night comes on, he rests on the steps of the Shepherd’s

Hut, the site of BATHSHEBA’s rescue.

19

INT. GABRIEL’S CARAVAN, NORCOMBE HILL - DAWN 19

Another day. In his caravan, OLD GEORGE by his side, GABRIEL

sleeps on.

The barking of YOUNG GEORGE wakes them both. Something is up.

He sits, listens.

The sound of sheep bells now. He is on his feet. To OLD

GEORGE -

GABRIEL:

Stay here, old boy.

20

EXT. GABRIEL’S CARAVAN, NORCOMBE HILL - DAWN 20

GABRIEL steps out of the caravan, pulling on his clothes. He

listens to the distant barking to find the direction, then

runs off.

A broken fence nearby

20A

EXT. GABRIEL’S CARAVAN, NORCOMBE HILL - DAWN 20A

He walks through trees, losing track of the barking for a

moment. Coming out of the trees and forest, he crests the

hill in search of the flock.

But they have gone. Disappeared. Silence.

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