Barry Lyndon (1975)
Adult themes, Medium level violence, Sexual references
| Director: | Stanley Kubrick |
| Actors: | Ryan O'Neal, Patrick Magee, Hardy Kruger, Marisa Berenson, Diana Koerner, Leon Vitali |
How does an Irish lad without prospects become part of 18th-century English nobility? For Barry Lyndon (Ryan O'Neal) the answer is: any way he can! His climb to wealth and privilege is the enthralling focus of this sumptuous Stanley Kubrick version of William Makepeace Thackeray's novel. For this ravishing, slyly satiric winner of 4 Academy Awards, Kubrick found inspiration in the works of the era's painters. Costumes and sets were crafted in the era's designs and pioneering lenses were developed to shoot interiors and exteriors in natural light. The result? Barry Lyndon endures as a cutting-edge movie that brings a historical period to vivid screen life like no other film before or since.
| Status: | LongWait |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 178mins |
| Origin: | UNITED KINGDOM |
| Aspect Ratio: | 1.59:1 |
| Run Time: | 178mins |
|---|---|
| File Size (Approx): | 1.6 GB |
by Simon Miraudo, 3/07/2012 10:26:00 AM
The picaresque Barry Lyndon is the unloved black sheep of Stanley Kubrick's filmographic family. This three-hour monolith is likely skipped over by all except the most devoted of Kubrickian obsessives. A shame, as it's an easy 180-minute sitting, thanks to its episodic nature and sardonic undercurrent. Barry Lyndon feels whip-fast, despite being as still and intricately composed as cinema gets. Based on William Thackeray's 1844 novel The Luck of Barry Lyndon, it stars a charming and restrained Ryan O'Neal as the eponymous scoundrel. The picture concerns the cunning Barry's unending efforts to elevate his standing and bathe in the riches and women that come with a title. As a pauper in Ireland, he's rebuffed by his cousin Nora in favour of a well-to-do English captain. Putting his pride an...
The picaresque Barry Lyndon is the unloved black sheep of Stanley Kubrick's filmographic family. This three-hour monolith is likely skipped over by all except the most devoted of Kubrickian obsessives. A shame, as it's an easy 180-minute sitting, thanks to its episodic nature and sardonic undercurrent. Barry Lyndon feels whip-fast, despite being as still and intricately composed as cinema gets.
Based on William Thackeray's 1844 novel The Luck of Barry Lyndon, it stars a charming and restrained Ryan O'Neal as the eponymous scoundrel. The picture concerns the cunning Barry's unending efforts to elevate his standing and bathe in the riches and women that come with a title. As a pauper in Ireland, he's rebuffed by his cousin Nora in favour of a well-to-do English captain. Putting his pride and lust above the captain's promise of monetary restitution, Barry challenges him to a duel and winds up victorious. He flees from the law, joins the English army, and later ends up fighting with the Prussians. Over the years, he's recognised as a war hero, hired as a spy, and trained as a grifter, all in the course of his fated journey to the status of English Count.
*Mild spoiler alert.*
His meteoric rise could be attributed to immense intelligence or dumb luck. Regardless, if he was cosmically rewarded for exceeding his lot in life, he's similarly cursed once securing his dream position. Barry marries a Countess (Marisa Berenson), takes her last name, and enjoys all the hedonistic pleasures that come with it. Her son, Lord Bullingdon (Leon Vitali), cannot abide Barry, however, and resents the affection bestowed upon their child Bryan (David Morley). Their rivalry leads to a mirroring of the first inciting incidents, and Barry is left with nothing; no pride, no heir, and no title. But hey, it was one hell of a ride!
*End of spoilers.*
It's a cliché to remark how exquisitely constructed Kubrick's films are, and much has already been written about his and cinematographer John Alcott's revolutionary shooting and lighting style. Still, clichés are affirmed and words proven inadequate when you're actually confronted with the beauty of the thing. Even harder to grasp than their complex compositions is the way in which they imbue humour, dread, and tragedy into every frame, and convey perfect period detail while still making it feel modern, even 37 years later.
4.5/5
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Member Reviews (25)
25 Member
Reviews
says
The only Kubrick movie I had not seen Not disappointed in any way. A great production, without the use of artificial lighting to enhance the period effect, terrific wardrobe and some wonderful characters portrayed. high recommendation
E..
says
Very long movie (nearly 3 hours.) Based on a classic novel, which apparently was based on some real character... Combines several themes including parental love and ambition for upward mobility, selfishness, manipulation, etc. I liked the sentence at the very end along the lines: all characters depicted in this movie are long gone/dead by now and they are now all equal to each other...
Nigel W
says
A social climber goes up the ladder then quickly down. Kubrick’s dull adaption of an equally dull book by Thackeray. To me this film sounded the death knell of Kubrick’s once exciting directorial style. Ryan O’Neal was a poor choice in the lead and the story is episodic and slow. I’ve seen BBC productions far better than this.
Viewer
says
A great fan of Stanley Kubrick films, I was not disappointed with this movie. Set in 17th century England, the film follows the social ascendency of Irish born Barry Lyndon. I loved every scene in this film, Kubrick's attention is, of course, flawless. I highly recommend it to all.
Art S.
says
Painterly and perfect in its period design, but also overlong with Ryan O'Neal an underwhelming presence at its center.
Adrian
says
very entertaining
Elspeth N.
says
It was interesting in its way, but simply too long. I couldn't make the distance although I hate to give up before the end. I enjoyed it up to a point but there was too much time wasted.
John N.
says
I am sure Kubrick would have had plenty up-his-sleeve for later on, but the first half-an-hour was so painfully bad I had to pull the plug.
Nicholas W.
says
While Kubrick's movies are so often listed as classics, they don't deserve the stigma of a "classic" that most people find boring. Barry Lyndon is an excellent film but is equally as entertaining. Its costumes, beautiful locations and cinematography aren't what carry this near 3-hour epic along, as is often mentioned. The witty writing and eccentric characters make this movie as purely entertaining as any. The comedy to be had in Barry Lyndon is certainly a big part of its status as a Kubrick favourite.
Joanne H.
says
A beautiful masterpiece by Kubrick which contains ascenic and dramatic backdorp into the 18th centruy. Fantastic costumes, musical themes and set design - however none of the characters are particularly likeable or memorable...
Chris J.
says
I great drama and the cinematography is amazing. A film that looks like a historical painting. Breathtaking.
Rebecca B.
says
Long but visually rich & very entertaining. Never realised Ryan O'Neal could act.
Monic R.
says
Visually stunning; funny script... highly, highly recommended!
Friederike E.
says
Stopped watching after 30 minutes, but then I didn`t try too hard. As a lot of other people already said: too long and boring
Rone W.
says
"Lite" entertainment in every sense of the word.
David H.
says
Very interesting and well made historical film,trifle long but ingrossing story
Yvette V.
says
it was so boring I decided to hit the fast-forward button, but amazlingly, it was still boring at 30 times the normal speed (mind you, its actually easier to follow the story at that speed)
Ross K.
says
This is about the rise and fall of Barry Lyndon, not the most loveable character, the rise is more enjoyable, but I guess the fall was deserved
Jack K.
says
A magnificant piece of photographic art work--each scene as if it were straight out of a painting from the 18th century. Throughout the film, Schubert's 2nd Piano Trio forms a weighty emotional backdrop.
Barbara S.
says
Sara M.
says
Good to look at, but what a bore !
Verity D.
says
Loved it!
Peter Harris
says
Stewie-Stewpot
says
Kubrick nicely pulls off a three hour costume drama (easier said than done). An intriguing central character leads us through a myriad of places, adventures, lusts & loves, highs & lows, manipulations, & power struggles.
bill
says
One of the 3 or 4 most beautiful films ever made. Bless you, Stanley Kubrick.