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Amazon.co.uk Review
Perhaps Stanley Kubrick's most underrated film, Barry Lyndon--adapted from the picaresque novel by William Makepeace Thackeray--inhabits the 18th century in the way A Clockwork Orange and 2001: A Space Odyssey inhabit the future: perfect sets, costumes and cinematography capture characters whose rises and falls are at once deeply tragic and absurdly comical. Narrated in avuncular form by Michael Hordern, the film follows the fortunes of Redmond Barry (Ryan O'Neal), a handsome Irish youth forced to flee his hometown after a duel with a cowardly English officer (Leonard Rossiter). Stripped of his small fortune by a deferential highwayman, Barry joins the British army and fights in the Seven Years War, attempting a desertion that leads him into the Prussian army. A position as a spy on an exquisitely painted con man (Patrick Magee) leads to a life of gambling around the courts of Europe, and just before the intermission our hero achieves all he could want by marrying a wealthy, titled beautiful widow (Marisa Berenson). However, Part Two reveals that Barry can no more be a clockwork orange than the protagonist of Kubrick's previous film, and his spendthrift ways, foolhardy pursuit of social advancement and unwise treatment of his new family lead to several disasters, climaxing in another horrific, yet farcical duel. Shot almost entirely in the "magic hour", that point of the day when the light is mistily perfect, with innovative use of candlelight for interiors, Barry Lyndon looks ravishing, but the perfection of its images is matched by the inner turmoil of its seemingly frozen characters. Kubrick is often accused of being unemotional, but his restraint is all the more affecting when, for example, Barry is struck by the deaths of those close to him, his wife writhes into madness or his stepson (Leon Vitali) vomits before he can stand his ground in a duel.
On the DVD: The extras are skimpy, a trailer and a list of awards, a French alternate soundtrack and subtitles in seven languages. However, the film--"digitally restored and remastered"--is served superbly by the medium. Letterboxed to 1.59:1 (which fits the 14:9 option of a widescreen TV), with a 5.1 Dolby Digital soundtrack, the print looks and sounds wonderful, which not only allows a fresh appreciation of the wit and beauty of the film but shows just how good the apparent underplaying (unusual in Kubrick films) of the cast is. --Kim Newman
Special Features
DVD Technical Information:
- Languages: English, French
- Sub-titles: English, French, Italian, Dutch, Arabic, Spanish, German; English for the hearing impaired
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Ryan O Neal stars in the title role of this historical epic about the adventures of a gentlemanly rogue travelling the battlefields and parlours of 18th century Europe. Determined to make for himself the life of a nobleman through seduction, gambling and duelling in this methodical film showing the rhythm and life of the period. Director Stanley Kubrick brings his usual eye for detail to this underrated drama, which boasts some very spectacular locations and great cinematography by John Alcott who won an Oscar for his work.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
It really annoys me when critics say Kubrick was cold and inhuman in the treatment of his characters.This film made after the infamous Clockwork Orange has heart rending scenes of human frailty and oppertunism gone wrong. The tale of an eighteenth century irish rouge and his often inept efforts at social advancement This makes a change from recent costume dramas being that it is told from a male perspective and his journey into becoming a social chameleon, which ultimatley ends in tragedy.
There is as always in Kubrick films faultless detail and slow deleberate camera movements and of course the ground breaking cinemaphotography wich use's natural light. Kubrick's great unmade Napoleon was to be made the year before which was scuppered by the release of Waterloo and you can get a hint of what he would have done in the Napolionic battle scenes here. In my opinion his most moving film with great performances and unforgettable music. By the way will someone please release the soundtrack.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Barry Lyndon is a 1975 period film which recounts the exploits of an 18th century Irish adventurer with Ryan O'Neal staring as Barry Lyndon.
The film had a mixed critical reception but is now seen as one of the director Stanley Kubrick's finest films.
The film is divided into two halves each headed with a title card.
Barry Lyndon is a scoundral and opportunist who has many adventures but seeing that his life is going nowhere, he decides to marry into wealth. He encounters the beautiful and wealthy Countess of Lyndon (Marisa Berenson), and has little difficulty seducing her, after her elderly husband dies, he marries her.
Part two is an Account of the Misfortunes and Disasters Which befall Barry Lyndon. The marriage is unhappy and Barry enjoys spending his wife's money and is unfaithful, keeping his wife in dull seclusion. However, his manipulating and scheming don't go as he expects and the drama unfolds.
The film is visually stunning and Marisa Berenson looks wonderful with her make up specially created for her by the great English make up artist Barbara Daley. However, for me the film is too long and does not manage to fully engage and hold its audience.
The film had a mixed critical reception but is now seen as one of the director Stanley Kubrick's finest films.
The film is divided into two halves each headed with a title card.
Barry Lyndon is a scoundral and opportunist who has many adventures but seeing that his life is going nowhere, he decides to marry into wealth. He encounters the beautiful and wealthy Countess of Lyndon (Marisa Berenson), and has little difficulty seducing her, after her elderly husband dies, he marries her.
Part two is an Account of the Misfortunes and Disasters Which befall Barry Lyndon. The marriage is unhappy and Barry enjoys spending his wife's money and is unfaithful, keeping his wife in dull seclusion. However, his manipulating and scheming don't go as he expects and the drama unfolds.
The film is visually stunning and Marisa Berenson looks wonderful with her make up specially created for her by the great English make up artist Barbara Daley. However, for me the film is too long and does not manage to fully engage and hold its audience.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Brilliant Barry Lyndon
Saw this film when it first came out 37 years ago. Still a beautiful, spectacular epic. 4 Academy Awards were well deserved. Loved it then and love it now. Read more
Published 1 month ago by nondeplume
One of Kubrick's less well-known but great films
This 1975 film is now on DVD and it is one of Kubrick's less well-known but stunningly beautiful films based loosely on the book by William Makepeace Thackeray. Read more
Published 6 months ago by RR Waller
strange
loved this film as a teenager, when I saw it again now, thaught it is a very weird story, not worth looking
Published 9 months ago by happydays
Have you read Wedlock? Barry Lyndon is based on the infamous husband
Barry Lyndon [1975] [DVD]
If you have read "Wedlock" you will recognise the various references to Mary Eleanor Bowes' life with her husband Andrew Robinson Stoney upon... Read more
If you have read "Wedlock" you will recognise the various references to Mary Eleanor Bowes' life with her husband Andrew Robinson Stoney upon... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Bubbles
George Hamilton????
I've seen this film 20+ times and have never seen George Hamilton in it, unless he was in uniform in one of the battles.
Published 9 months ago by Kubricker
Goods not yet arrived as at 11 days after order estimate
I have bought from this seller before who has always been exemplary and although it is a good film it has still not arrived with me 11 days after it was supposed to have arrived. Read more
Published 10 months ago by NikNak
Pretty....slow....and aspect ratio...?
Loved this in the cinema - for its look and feel (and Marisa Berenson.) But not a fan of Ryan O'Neal in this (though I thought he was good, and right, in Paper Moon). Read more
Published 10 months ago by P. A. Clarke
WHEN - A LONG OVERDUE BLU-RAY RELEASE ?!?!
Being a huge fan of The Greatest Ever Film Director - Ever...
I have been waiting some years for this amazing film to finally see the bright light of day - in... Read more
I have been waiting some years for this amazing film to finally see the bright light of day - in... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Peter John Brown
Surprisingly good
Loved the music themes used in this film. Slow scenes are beautifully framed and to a very high quality of production. Strong story line keeps your attention. Read more
Published 14 months ago by C. J. Potter
Triple Genii
Thackerays Hi-Story and Kubricks choice of stunning classical music and his stunning photokinography and excellent cast make this one of the best films ever made where once again... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Ken Raus
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