Far from The Madding Crowd

Parents need to know that Far from the Madding Crowd is an adaptation of a Thomas Hardy novel (previously filmed in 1967). It's a romantic drama, but it's hardly all poetry and flowers: There are some shocking images of sheep falling over a cliff and smashing on rocks below, blood spatters and all, and characters die (including a baby). Dead bodies are shown, as are guns and swords; a character is shot, and a man is verbally abusive toward his wife. Characters kiss, and marital sex is implied. During one steamy kiss, a man touches a woman in the crotch area (over her dress). There's some social drinking during celebrations and parties; at one point, characters get drunk and sing a somewhat suggestive song. But ultimately, heroine Bathsheba Everdene (Carey Mulligan) is presented as a surprisingly modern, strong female role model. Teen girls may swoon at the movie -- and also find someone to admire.