Under The Greenwood Tree

In a sunlit village tucked into the English countryside, life unfolds at a slow, sturdy tempo. A poor, hard-working young man finds his world upended when he falls for a schoolmaster from a respectable, middle class family. He believes love can bridge the gulf between field hands and drawing rooms, if he proves himself capable, steady, and worthy of her attention. The romance is gentle but fraught with the expectations of neighbors, kin, and village gossip. As the seasons pass, loyalty to family bounds choices, while the allure of education and opportunity tempts the heart. The drama quietly tests pride, perseverance, and the stubborn belief that affection can rewrite a social map. Hope persists amid shifting class lines and loyalties.

Released in 2005 as a television movie, Under The Greenwood Tree was directed by Nicholas Laughland and draws on Thomas Hardy's novel. Ashley Pharoah adapted the screenplay, bringing the rustic village atmosphere and Hardy's social themes to a contemporary audience.

Box office figures aren't applicable to this television film, and no theatrical worldwide gross is listed. It aired as a TV feature rather than as a theatrical release, with a modest audience footprint. There is no box office figure reported.

While the production earned praise for its faithful tone and sturdy performances, there are no widely reported award nominations tied to this adaptation. Keeley Hawes as Fancy Day and James Murray as Dick Dewy help anchor the story, delivering quiet emotional resonance rather than sensational melodrama. The cast earned praise.

Critically and with audiences the response sits in a middle ground, reflected in a modest rating of 5.8 out of 10 from 29 votes. The film foregrounds class tension, rural community life, and a restrained romance that favors character detail over grand gesture. Its themes echo Hardy's social critique today.