Bechdel Test Movie List

This is an extremely feminist costume drama film. The four named female characters are Bathsheba Everdene, a feminist character if there ever was one in that she's independent in an age when few women were, strong, flawed, and VERY complex; Liddy's, Bathsheba's maid and best friend; Mrs. Hurst, Bathsheba's aunt; and Fanny Robbin, a young girl who falls on hard times after a tragic mix-up. The film depicts Bathsheba showing her neighbors and farmhands how independent and strong she can be with or without a husband. It passes on at least one line: Bathsheba and Liddy are bringing grain to sell at the place where townspeople sell crops and Liddy asks if they really should be there. Bathsheba says that have just as much right to be there as anyone else. It could be inferred that they're talking about how they're the only women doing business in the room, but they don't state men in the sentences and they might have also been concerned with Bathsheba's youth and newness to this business. There may be other scenes where it passes the test, but I can't quite recall them. Liddy also tells Bathsheba about a man named William Boldwood and the two discuss whether or not to give Mr. Boldwood a Valentine. Mrs. Hurst tells Bathsheba that her uncle bequeathed all of his property to Bathsheba. Fanny doesn't really interact with the other three women.

Is it really extremely feminist? Strikes me more as a more modern taming of the shrew ...

I've just watched it and can confirm there is one teensy tiny scene in the village hall where Liddy suggests to Miss Everdene that they should leave when their selling of grain isn't going too well.

Seems a bit ironic that they were trying to play up how much of a feminist she was but the movie barely passes this test .