Hardy's magnificent verse drama of the Napoleonic Wars, written by Hardy just after the turn of the century in the Edwardian Era, includes a much clearer presentation of Hardy's concept of the "Immanent Will" than is found in the novels as well as some superb poetry (most notably: Part 3, Act VI, scene viii, "The Road to Waterloo" with its perspective of the upcoming battle from the point of view of the small creatures of the earth, coneys and moles and worms and butterflies, crushed or about to be crushed by the immense hosts of human actors).

For whatever reason, this work isn't as respected in the Hardy canon as it ought to be. Granted that it's unproducible as a play, but neither is Samson Agonistes, and The Dynasts has a very modernist feel to it if read as an "art house" film script. Just don't try reading this straight through or it will become overwhelming. It's in three parts consisting, all told, of nineteen acts (plus a fore act and an after act), so take it an act or two at a time since each act really does break down into a fairly distinct chapter. ( )

This sort of a poem, and a long meditation on the Wars with Napoleon. Upon reading it appears to be possible treatment for a film scenario. It certainly has epic scope. I think that film history courses might have some fun dealing with this 1904 composition. Hardy called a verse drama for the stage. It would still make a terribly expensive movie. I've read it thrice. ( )