A beautiful film that deserves to be seen more often, and it does deserve a higher rating than the 5.3 it has as of now(lack of votes perhaps?). There are a couple of moments of rushed editing and Simon Callow is in over-acting scenery-chewing mode that can feel at odds with the tone of the rest of the film. The Wessex/Dorset scenery is simply exquisite though and matches Hardy's vivid writing almost exactly, and the photography is not just lovely to look at but allows us to take in the scenery and atmosphere without feeling stolid TV movie quality. The period detail is evocatively rendered- not too clean and not too bleak either- with good make-up and no obviously anachronistic-looking hair-styles, and the lighting is careful not to be too bright or too murky. The simple tranquillity of the music score also appeals, and when the drama should resonate it does wisely take a back-seat, as do the very literate and thoughtfully adapted script that is in keeping with Hardy's prose and the simple but very charming and touchingly melancholic story. The characters don't feel like caricatures and you do genuinely believe in the two protagonists' love for one another. Jean-Marc Barr is a charming and handsome Matthaus, and Emma Fielding is English-Rose-personified. In fact the acting is very well done, though with some reservations on Callow's part. Much of the direction is slick and sympathetic too. So all in all, a very good and beautiful film that doesn't disgrace Hardy or the story in the slightest. It's not 100% perfect, but it is much better than the rating makes it out to be. 8/10 Bethany Cox