I’m not sure if I can say that I have a favourite Kubrick picture, but somehow I keep coming back to Barry Lyndon. I think that’s because it’s such a profoundly emotional experience. The emotion is conveyed through the movement of the camera, the slowness of the pace, the way the characters move in relation to their surroundings. People didn’t get it when it came out. Many still don’t. Basically, in one exquisitely beautiful image after another, you’re watching the progress of a man as he moves from the purest innocence to the coldest sophistication, ending in absolute bitterness-and it’s all a matter of simple, elemental survival. It’s a terrifying film because all the candlelit beauty is nothing but a veil over the worst cruelty. But it’s real cruelty, the kind you see every day in polite society. -Martin Scorsese
My favourite Kubrick movie without a doubt. He poured his heart into this one. It might not look like it but to film XVIII century Europe was his pet projec. When he couldn't do it with Napoleon he did this one instead.
Hello, I liked your review. I should point out that the narration is reminiscent of the rhetorical style of the period as well as its prevailing literary style. It is meant to be formal, elegant and laced with wise reflections on morality, philosophy and stuff, spoken as if the speaker, a paternal figure or some such, were telling it to you before a crackling hearth. In a loose sense, Barry Lyndon is a framed story, where instead of 'watching' the movie it is understood that you are being told it, and the sounds and imagery are meant as a sort of substantiation of its content.
As an Australian, Barry Lyndon highlights British society in the two decades before Australia was settled by the British. I've always imagined that Barry was in the First Fleet (as a prisoner) but then became one of our "settler" aristocracy families. And yes, it's a very funny movie, if you can hear how drily humorous the narration, in particular, is. "But Johnathan", as Barry steals Johnathan's horse and uniform.
I made the mistake of holding off watching Barry Lyndon because of the mediocre reviews. It quickly became one of my favorite Kubrick films. Great review!
Thank you for helping to blow the trumpet of this movie .. it's just a masterpiece, and like you, I want to bring it to everyone's attention ... This was a very astute piece of criticism and I will be checking out more of your reviews for sure .. all the best !
really liked your review.. this is also one of my all time favorite movies. Too me it is like your in a museum and you seeing a series of paintings by a certain artist. and it comes to life to tell you the real story behind the pretty pictures. sometimes it like you are watching the painting that is watching you.
I just watched this film for the 1st time and it was on the big screen. The most beautiful cinematic experience i’ve ever had. And as a Kubrick fan, i was so delighted to witness this masterpiece in theaters
It's a feast for the senses. The cinematography, the dialogue, the narration, the music, the irony are all so delicious. It's like going to the MET and stare at your favorite oil painting and fall into 3 hour dream about the art.
Recently came across your youtube channel and heard you mention this movie and I watched it for the first time. I am blown away, I will be watching again. But your word is spreading this movie and I appreciate the suggestion.
Yes. I agree. 2001 and then Barry Lyndon. It’s mesmerizing and unique. It’s almost like time travel. The music is incredible and photography is second to none. One has to surrender to it. You are obviously a smart young lady. Good choice.
I saw it for 1st time in a theater this year. Even with the amazing program our Ken Cinema (San Diego) have had this season, including other Kubrick movies, some of Tarkovsky and Yamasaki or gems as BladeRunner. Barry Lyndon is perhaps the most exquisite piece I have ever seen. As Spielberg tirelessly says: The craft is impeccable. Nobody has ever shoot a movie with such encyclopedic knowledge and detailed attention as Stanley.
I don't recall his name but the kid who plays young Bullingdon gives my favorite performance of any Kubrick movie. The scene just after the marriage where he lays it out to the Reverend in such a way that leaves him speechless is incredible. "It hurts me very much to see her make a fool of herself." In fact I think this is the best cast Kubrick ever gathered outside 'Dr. Strangelove'. Endlessly quoteable.
I don’t know if you’ll see this, but the actor Leon Vitale who played Bullington later went on to become Stanley Kubrick’s chief go-to person for just about everything (“assistant” doesn’t even begin to cover their relationship or the extent of his responsibilities), a position he held for the remainder of Kubrick’s life. There’s even a fascinating documentary on the subject which you would do well to check out.
My interpretation of the film is that the distant narration and O'Neal's vapid performance are meant to convey how Lyndon's character is a shallow human being with almost no emotional depth. He constantly seeks out success and happiness but is never truly successful at doing so, all because he has no real direction in life and hasn't found any sense of purpose for himself. He's so concerned with pleasing himself that he doesn't know how to respond properly in life when things don't go his way (e.g. Bullingdon dissing him in front of a crowd, Bryan dying), nor does he know how to handle any form of responsibility (his inability to manage "his" money and pay his debts once he joins the Lyndon family). The movie is intended to feel very superficial and shallow because that is exactly what the protagonist is. Genius, if you ask me.
.....I think we 're all invited by the movie to feel a little shallow, to recognize we 're all a bit of a Barry. Barry doesn't start out bad, he starts out naive....don't we all ? The narration/ Michael Hordern is brilliant ....and a brilliant actor. (funny thing happened on the way to the forum) We all try to climb and fall from the ladder at one point. Very, very few people manage balance.
@@TheWaynos73 Excellent comparison as far as scenario structure and vivid portrayal of the respective milieu's. Elvira and Lady Lyndon end lonely and morose. Downfall is brought upon by the killing of one very close family member (son/sister) and betrayal of a close male/buddy/rival.The American dream vs the English class system.
Fabulous review! I couldn’t agree more- this film is one of Kubrick’s finest. Extremely sophisticated, methodical, and timeless! I have been a long time fan of your reviews and you have driven me to appreciate the value of film. Thanks for all your amazing insight.
That screen going black at the end of part one was for an intermission when it first played in theaters. It was a chance for the audience to get the circulation in their legs flowing again or to simply leave, which a number of people did when I saw the movie in first run. It wasn't nicknamed Boring Lyndon for nothing. The longest three hours I can recall for an English language movie.
The movie fascinates me more and more any time I see again. Not only the impeccable photography, but for his vision of life. We come to the world to get the better life we can get, we succeed, we fail and years later we are not in the world anymore, leaving place for others to live their proper lives. The last lines in the movie, putting out that every character, good or bad, is now dead is something I can't take out of my mind. Real and painful, masterpiece
I'm European and I thought there weren't enough carriage chases and explosions in this movie. Actually, the cinematography, music and casting were close to perfect. The apparent slow pace is a result of the way we are so gracefully transported from scene to scene as so much happens in the 3 hours. It's one of the only movies by any director that makes me well up, it's also given me a greater appreciation of our countryside in the UK.
accurate, intelligent, insightful review. I was required to view this film in high school for a humanities class when it came out. Everyone hated it. I found myself loving it and, rather surprised at myself, it became one of my favorite films. In that way "Barry Lyndon" revealed to me as a teenager some of my own, dare i say, sophisticated taste. Loved the storytelling, performances, cinematography, music, and period scenery and costume as you mention. Kubrick used natural light. Redmond Barry by Thackeray is a memorable literary character that Kubrick made immortal in cinema. Thanks for the enthusiastic review.
Hi, I saw this awesome film because of your review, which I quickly paused, then watched the film and returned for the rest of this review. Good job, great film. I found this quote from Philip K Dick, which I find applies well to many of these characters: "You will be required to do wrong no matter where you go. It is the basic condition of life to be required to violate your own identity. At some time, every creature which lives must do so. It is the ultimate shadow; the defeat of creation. This is the curse at work, the curse that feeds on all life everywhere in the universe." ...Don't we all start off as wide-eyed and bushy-tailed idealists? And even as we climb, as Barry did, we pick up the scars and cracks that turn us into regretful realists... warts n all. Is there a lesson to be learnt? Perhaps this? : Do the best you can, safe in the knowledge we're all the same. Then and now and probably forever more.
Good review! I've just seen the movie, and I cannot say a lot about it, but I can say that it is a typical Kubrick. I want to point out three things I appreciate very much: I watched the movie and while watching I realized how uncomfortable it was for me to have no one likeable enough to identify with. Till close to the end I thought I would not like the movie. Immediately after it, many thoughts came to my mind about it and I realized the depth of it and a few of the great qualities of it. This "post watching shock" is a main quality many Kubrick movies have on me. His movies are something to delve into, to rewatch and to reconsider. They are much more than the average good movie. I like how the most frequently displayed look of Redmont mirrors everything in the movie: The fear, the passion, the uncertainty, the difficulty, the self-pity... . It's a great ability of Kubrick to display big pictures with small scenes and to use the actors to do what he obviously wants to express. I love how many - even very important - things are not fully explained, but Kubrick just gives hints to build a world of content the viewer himself has to develop. Like for example the relationship between Redmont and Lady Lyndon. You have thie smoking scene, the bathing scene, the scene of the Lady's signing for the expenses on Redmont in the end... This is the second time for me having watched a movie totally underestimating it while watching it the first time (the other one was EWS which I have given much thought for to grasp it more and more). Kubrick was a genius.
You provided a very spot on review of BL and I knew I really enjoyed the movie, but didn't know exactly why, other than watching the stunning Marissa Berenson. Now that you provided your excellent analysis I can appreciate it even more and think I'll watch it again soon, and soak in lush artistry. Another thing Ireally loved was the music score, especially the opening Sarabande in its various forms and the Schubert Piano Trio, played most notably during the famous card game where Lady Lyndon becomes infatuated with her future husband. Kubrick has a knack for finding the most effective music for his movies, and think this is his best. I even bought the soundtrack way back when the movie first came out. I recently acquired the piano score for the Haydn Sarabande and would like to find it for the Piano Trio, but it's only written for the 3 instruments. By the way, if you don't play the piano, you should. You would be a natural. With the length of your fingers you could probably reach 2 octaves, or close. You could play Rachmaninoff a lot easier than me, something I have been striving toward for years.
Wow, you articulated the effect the movie has on you so well! I watched Barry Lyndon for the first time a few days ago and haven't been able to get it out of my head. Great review!!
If I have a criticism of Barry Lyndon is that it is a tell not show story shoehorned into the most beautiful oil landscape conceivable. It is a realistic portrayal of a person. It does not sweat out a overly harsh ending nor does it seek any false happiness. It feels right. It is futility set to a singular era. The failure of one man shows us what was wrong with that society then and the human race through all time. Okay, I just talked myself into liking it more.
The film itself is amazing, but I for one didn’t take a shine to the Redmond Barry character, mainly due to the the fact he’s very unprincipled and selfish. Maybe he changed because of life, as he was very innocent in the beginning, but I believe that isn’t how you should be
I agree with everything you said here. Thanks for sharing this! Another thing I noted last time I watched it (last week) is when the narrator telegraphs what's about to happen (which Kubrick does from time to time in other films to create anticipation and dread), like when he says "Barry would leave none of his race behind him." Anyway, thanks again. Well done!
I have always wanted to see this film (I've had it in my collection for a few years) and finally immersed myself in it, this evening. I was engaged more in the second half than the first but did, laugh at the absurdity and farce and also feel touched by the emotion and tragedy. The child actor who played Barry's son, was incredible! I grew a little tired of the zoom out establishing shots and the incessant music (I think, I would like to see an almost scoreless version to be honest) but... what sumptuous (I thought and exclaimed out loud while watching) beauty! It was an unforgettable experience, I will revisit
I am a huge Kubrick fan and I love most of his work but I found Barry Lyndon painfully boring. I couldn’t invest in any of the characters and the whole experience seemed distant and dull. It doesn’t also help the fact I don’t like period films in general. I really enjoyed the duels and some of the war scenes in the first part. In generally the first part of the story kept me a little bit interested. In the second part I wanted to cut my vanes from boredom. Having said that the cinematography is absolutely unreal. Every single frame truly is a painting, the lighting (especially the indoor scenes with the candle lit only rooms where he used the Zeiss Planar 50mm lens which was custom made for NASA) the zoom ins, zooms outs, dolly shots - just pure perfection. It’s sad that I couldn’t make myself to like it and I wanted to so so much.
Fantastic analysis. Barry Lyndon is my favorite Kubrick film. A breathtakingly beautiful expose of a soulless society who's hollow rituals reduce what little humanity one has left after successfully climbing to the top of the hill.
No different to our culture, or any other culture. In the end everyone tries to achieve something, and ends up losing it all, if not before than when death occurs. It is a deeply pessimistic disecting of the human condition, and it is timeless.
Great review, you gave voice to feelings I couldn't articulate that well. I was lucky enough to find out my local cinema was having a showing of this movie today, and I couldnt pass up the chance to experience it in the theater. I agree that this movie is criminally underrated, it's hard to find people that even know about it and those who do often call it boring and move on killing what I hoped would have been a great discussion of one of my favorite movies....I need to find some friends that share my passion. I really love this movie, I dont know how it places among the kubrick movies for me, but considering that for me cinematography and visual storytelling is so important, it places quite high.
Very insightful review. So much to say about this movie and I agree with everything you said. On the face of it, this is a period piece, but it's depth in exploring the human condition, raising philosophical and existential questions, really makes it more of a companion piece to 2001, like two sonatas belonging to the same opus. The use of Schubert's music is significant if one is familiar with Schubert's music. A chilly loneliness pervades, thawed by moments of aching tenderness, warmth, intimacy and beauty, and always the lingering awareness of mortality, and of life ebbing away. The same is true of this film. Our heart breaks for Barry in that freeze frame of him climbing, crippled, into his carriage, never to be seen again, because it is the plight of all of us as the narrator sardonically reminds us at the end. Our hopes, fears, loves, losses, ambitions, idealised paintings, self portraits, modern day selfies, are all trivial, pathetic, when seen objectively and at a distance- nature can always point it's objective lense at us and capture us in our moments of imperfection, debauchery, stupidity, vulnerability, violence, lack of social status, immorality, poverty, and say to us "see, this is what you really are in spite of your attempts to be something different'. And yet when faced with the futility of it all, our empathy with Barry's plight, shows us that there is something beautiful and noble about being a human being, captured in an image, flattering or unflattering as it may be- a fleeting moment in time, a candle glowing however briefly in the eternal darkness. If Kubrick is concerned with how to find meaning in a universe which objectively speaking is ambivalent about the importance of human beings, then Kubrick's "objective coldness" is in the service of uncovering truly human, unsentimental emotions. Kubrick was not a cold director.
Great review. I am surprised you don't say more about the soundtrack. Hauntingly beautiful, it is the soundtrack that elevates this from being amongst Kubrick's best to being his very best IMHO.
Enjoyed your review very much. Have considered Kubrick to be one of my favorite directors (Lynch and Wenders are the other two in my top 3) and you mentioned his cold detached style. Oddly, that is what it is about his style that I love especially in the dialogues he shoots. It allows you to focus solely on the intimacy of a shared moment. I think it’s most magnetic in Eyes Wide Shut but I recall that in Clockwork Orange &Full Metal Jacket. That being said, I’ve been meaning to watch this for decades and finally was able to see it today. The 3 hour length and the period made me shy away from it. But at the start of this long movie, it grabbed me pretty quickly and I was easily committed to the story. On the satire aspect, my favorite scene was the wedding procession and the perverted without subtlety in the most monotoned seriousness as the Reverend Runt (lol) talked about the visceral responsibilities the husband and wife must go thru to procreate. That scene had me laughing hard. I also found the robbery scene early in the movie to be funny too. Love your point on how Barry Lyndon was filmed in the second half as if he were affixed in portraits. That’s an amazing metaphor for how materialistic society sucks the individuality of people. Amazing trivia was that of the actress who played the Countess whose younger sister Berry Berenson died on flight 11 on 9/11/2001, the plane hijacked by Muhammad Atta. Also, that Berry was married to Anthony Perkins (“Psycho”) This is an excellent movie and one that I am sure I’ll like more with each watch.
In other words this movie is about *You* *Reap* *What* *You* *Sow* kind of story. Great movie, I saw this movie in the early 80’s when was a teenager, I was captivated by the type of movie and years later as an adult I wanted to see the movie again but couldn’t remember the titled, I was fruitlessly searching for it, until not too long ago I came across it by accident, I was very happy, and I purchased the 4K Blue Ray DVD versión on Amazon, $25.00, but it’s worth it, digitally remastered with DTS sound and 4K scaling at 60 FPS. This movie looks as if they produced it in 2018, the image and audio quality is superb.
For me I’d say 1. 2001 A Space Odessy 2. The Killing 3. Dr. Strangelove 4. Paths of Glory 5. The Shining 6. Barry Lyndon 7. Spartacus 8. A Clockwork Orange 9. Full Metal Jacket 10. Lolita 11. Eyes Wide Shut
Great review DFL. It's interesting you place 2001 right above Barry Lyndon on your top two Kubrick movie list. For me its the same two movies but in different order. Plus, BL and 2001 are number one and two (in order) my top two favorite films, and I have seen all the "great films". As great as 2001 is, I argue that BL is the best film ever made. I am sure this will anger many especially those who've never seen it or not seen it in its entirety. Again great work! Thank you.
A wonderful review, very insightful - this film is so much more than beautiful imagery, though the beauty is a big part of the story telling. "Barry Lyndon" is my favorite Kubrick film, the one I've watched most often (2001 is my close second). Like "2001", Kubrick takes a God's-eye-view, an existential perspective on humanity's place in the universe, it's a portrait of a specific time, but it explores issues that are transcendent, that are timeless. I also very much appreciate the droll humor, but there's something so moving for me, more than any other Kubrick film, about Barry's struggles, his ego and attachments, and his ultimate tragedy and loss. Beauty and tragedy, love and death, were the great inspirations for the Romantic period. "Barry Lyndon" shows that life is ephemeral. For me this is Kubrick's most poetic film, the one that's closest to music.
Good review! But I think it's important to mention how Kubrick initially wanted to do Napoleon beforehand. And I think what attracted Stan to both Napoleon and Barry Lyndon was the commonality of 'naivety'. Kubrick was fascinated by how Napoleon could be so brilliant on one hand, and so childish on the other. And Barry Lyndon is much the same I think. To be so in love with his cousin Nora, and not seeing the future were that to continue on. To his use and abuse of the Bullington family. But you point out a good fact in Barry reading to his son, and the painting behind them. As it all is just elaborated stories in that one shot. How much is true and fabricated in that moment, be it by determination or blind luck to embody all those elements past and present. And I think it's that framing that makes the future look so materialistic and empty that emotes the sadness you felt. I'd say the movie focuses on pure lust, but for what exactly? It makes it so romantic in one way, but so horrendously shallow by the end of it all. And coming from the adventure that opened possibilities in 2001 and A Clockwork Orange to such a dismal conclusion in Barry Lyndon I don't think anyone was truly braced for. Much better though than Eyes Wide Shut IMHO.
In the fashion of many French films, Barry Lyndon is an immersive experience, if you have a little knowledge of photography, costume design, storytelling and a few other bits and bobs, you can sit back and let go for this wonderful film. I think it’s what some of the latest (2024) overly long films aspire to, but come nowhere near.
In the past couple of months I've watched every Kubrick film besides Spartacus and 2001:. I am watching them soon and love hearing your analysis of them. I immediately type in Deep Focus Lens after watching a film now 😂 where before it would just be Chris Stuckmann or Jeremy Jahns but you review older films more than them. Love the channel!
Thanks to you I've also delved into parts of cinema I never would have imagined. Peeping Tom and Repulsion to name a few. Loved them both and I never would have stumbled upon them otherwise.
A crushing movie in many ways, that when it gets too tough to watch I focus on the beauty. But it is simply the story of a life. Sad and wonderful and tragic all at the same time.
Great review, thanks! And thanks for sharing your good taste with people who may have overlooked or be unaware of this movie. For me, this is Kubrick's greatest achievement - I don't hesitate to put it above even Dr. Strangelove or 2001.
Kubrick's camera is hypnotizing, but sound in his movies... it's something unique. Especially in Barry Lyndon. I can watch the movie over and over again only because of the sound ( and the most courteous robbery ever^^ ).
The dryest comedy ever made - it didn't even care if the audience got it, it was so deliciously droll. So glad to hear your rich understanding of the film.
The second best Kubrick (after 2001) and among my 10 best films of all times. Some found it boring and lengthy? It's anything but ! The story is spellbinding and the dramatic tension is constant. The only "negative" aspect of watching Barry Lyndon is the absurd sadness of the main protagonist's fate. You see it coming and when his youngest boy dies, your heart is so broken, and the outlook of his future is so bleak that it indeed makes watching the end of the second part difficult to watch. But that's the power of cinema. You don't watch this movie for a carefree escape from reality. It is a very beautiful but extremely melancholic movie. I don't feel like watching it every week, because of its cold depiction of a sad destiny. But when I feel ready, it brings an endless pleasure for the eyes and a revelation for the heart and reason. A masterpiece, no question asked.
This movie works on many levels. It’s got a beautiful narrative and the choice of language is superb. It’s also got great cinematography. It’s a film about class and upbringing and, like Vanity Fair, about upstarts trying to get up in society but being incapable of doing so. It’s about morality and lack of it . This girl is circumnavigating the central themes. It looks like a painting , but more to it than that
Fun fact: the dramatic melody of the final duel (and may other parts of the film) is La Follia, which was a popular Spanish folk tune that became a popular tune for variations to compose to for many, many composers in the 18th century. The dramatic version in the film is more or less Handel's interpretation plus some 'quiet' variations added. It is a tune that probably would have been easily recognizable by the nobility of the period in which the film is set. Besides Handel's version, other notable versions with noticeably different tones include variations done by Corelli, Vivaldi, Bach, and Salieri.
Ir's a very subtle film and it has depth too. What is... a life, really? It's baroque masterpiece. Barry Lyndon rises through a society that's massively, structurally, unequal and harsh. The ornate character of baroque music and art, existing side by side with incrdible bone-crushing, ugliness and grinding poverty and filthy living conditions for the vast majority of the peasants. On top, a glittering, colourful, luxurious world for a tiny sliver of the aristocratic ruling elite. There wars where almost as incomprehensible and ghastly as our own. We, in contrast, have really 'perfected' the art of mass killing taking the battlefield to every part of our living space. Barry reminds me of reality tv star who rises without any real talent to a position of immense wealth and power, to which he is utterly unsuited. The film version is far darker than the novel by Thackery. Kubrick isn't really that interested in Barry Lyndon as a person, but in the people and society he moves through on his sad journey into... nothingness and silence.
As a fan of Kubrick and a big fan of your in depth and thoughtful reviews, I waited to watch this until I saw the film. I don’t know it just felt a little flat. It’s is one of the most gorgeous films ever no doubt, but for me this is definitely one of Kubrick’s most cold and skeletal film, I didn’t really care about Barry and Kubrick made me feel nothing for any of the characters. I was thoroughly disappointed by it, considering how much admiration I have for Kubrick. Yes the theme that “this life he worked to achieve, does not fulfill him” is clearly stated but did not make me feel anything or is fulfilling to me as a viewer. Of course your review was insightful and interesting, but this movie just didn’t strike a chord with me.
Exactly how I felt as well. I am a huge Kubrick fan and I love most of his work but I found Barry Lyndon painfully boring. I couldn’t invest in any of the characters and the whole experience seemed distant and dull. It doesn’t ado help the fact I don’t like period films in general. I really enjoyed the duels and some of the war scenes in the first part. In generally the first part of the story kept me a little bit interested. In the second part I wanted to cut my vanes from boredom. Having said that the cinematography is absolutely unreal. Every single frame truly is a painting, the lighting (especially the dark inside scenes with the candle lit only rooms where he used the Zeiss Planar 50mm lens which was custom made for NASA) the zoom ins, zooms outs, dolly shots - just pure perfection. It’s sad that I couldn’t make myself to like it and I wanted to so much.
@@gpapa31 , I agree with everything you said here. It looks great, but I had no reason to care about any of these people. Barry himself is sort of an amoral Forest Gump.
I had the extreme privilege of seeing Lyndon in 35mm a couple years ago. It was the first time I'd ever seen the film, and I nearly drooled over the cinematography and costume design. Its four Oscar wins were supremely justified, IMO.
Just saw this for the 1st time. I enjoyed the movie. Hard to get past Ryan O'Neal's here and gone accent and bad acting but truly a cinematic experience that carries his performance. Great review.
Kubrick used a special camera and a special lense ,(that he got from the NASA) ,in order to achieve the candlelight shots without using additional lighting as was the usual back in those days. John Alcott, his cinematographer based some compositions in Rembrandt´s works. I remember that once they invited me to a private projection of the film and must of the audience were professional photographers and ,every time that those candlelight shots appeared they had these ``Wooooows!´´ reactions.
It's my favorite Kubrick film, because the character is an everyman type, who is basically at the mercy of an unforgiving society. He sees, in Lady Lyndon, a chance at obtaining the security he's never had, and he takes it, only to have it eventually stripped from him because no one around him is willing to accept him into their society. Barry Lyndon is neither a good nor a wholly bad person, but like all of us, he is capable of deep love and flashes of anger, and it's the latter that eventually result in his downfall. I find it an incredibly sad movie, and I find Barry Lyndon a tragic figure.
If Kubrick could come back to life and make one more movie I really wish he could’ve gotten to do Blood Meridian. The directing style of detached, almost scientific examination with painterly framing play into the themes of the book and would’ve been the exact right fit
I always wondered about that break between part 1, and part 2. I was half convinced that it was a... mistake? But, it's third on my list. My favorite is still Dr. Strangelove.
I already said it, but I'll say it again. The similarities between our tastes in cinema is amazing! 2001... happens to be my most favorite filns of all time, and Barry Lindon, my second best by Kubrick and definitely among my 10 favorites of all time. I saw the movie at the cinema when it came out (hereby betraying my age :)). Imagine how spoiled I was, being 18 at the time Lyndon came out. I had been transmogrified by 2001, and with Clockwork Orange, well, I had been completely transformed by the movie. So advanced ideologically at the time... so much that, as you know, it had quite unpleasant consequences for Kubrick. He was accused of corrupting the mind of British youths with his "complacent" depiction of a form of "coded violence" that appealed a lot to young men because it was intellectual, witty, funny and original. Violence mimicking Alex's erupted in France abd the UK. Kubrick even had to hide. Even in French, Clockwork was such a phenomenon that many of its expressions in the imaginary language created by Burgess in the original book were adopted in urban French (my mother tongue). So I, like all guys of my age then, was feverishly expecting the next Kubrick movie which, fortunately didn't take too long to come out - compared to what was about to come in the next decade!). The first fun nemory I have about Barry Lyndon was that I was among the only few that were happy and satisfied with the film, despite its complete departure from the futuristic tangent Kubrick had taken with his 3 previous movies, starting with Dr. Strangelove. Like you mentioned, I was enthralled by the highly aesthetic qualities of Lyndon. On the big screen with a pristine copy (sorry for bragging... or not :)). this movie was shining (pun intended). I love the countryside landscapes in England (such pleasant memories from Oxfordshire!), and the movie was a literal cry of love by Kubrick for the splendid colors and textures of nature photographed with obvious love and reverence (perhaps inspired by Stanley's wife, a nature enthusiast like me). And the music !! And the natural lighting! I knew, having read about it before I first viewed the film in the fully packed theater, that Kubrick had worked with those unique ultra-wide lenses developed by contract for NASA to obtain photographs of the "hidden" surface of the moon while orbiting it. (Remember the early 70s were those of the 6 Apollo missions). The idea was to try to obtain photographic records of the hidden face of the Moon for the first time (the Apollo NASA missions had just been completed at the time of filming Barry Lyndon, so the timing was perfect to get hold of those specially designed. lenses, which he paid for a high sum IIRC. Kubrick had become well acquainted woth a few NASA engineers and scientists while filming 2001, so that helped him to get the confidence needed in that super-organization to finally grab those precious lenses. I think a German optical company was subcontracted by NASA to make these special lenses for the Moon missions. And by reusing them later for his own purposes, they enabled Kubrick to film evening meals and dances using candlelight exclusively. Knowing Kubrick, one can easily understand how adamant he was to film XVIIIth century events in England, Ireland and Prussia exactly as they occured back in those days. This was the first time anybody had attempted to film interiors without electruc lighting, back then. Remember: photographic film wasn't light-sensitive enough to generate decent 🤔 images in the mid 70s... And I remember being very moved by the sight of people eating, discussing and watching one another - and cheating at cards! thanks precisely to the limits of candlelight. It's a bit hard to describe, but since you have seen Barry Lyndon, I think you can relate to that. Just think about how the general "look" of pre-1980 films, perhaps. One can notice (among many differences) how interior scenes looked like. Even when people were supposed to be in darkness one always sees that big projectors were used. Think also about night scenes: without exceptions, all films made before the mid-80s (at least until then) use day-for-night. I watch and rewatch Barry Lyndon on a regular basis. To me, it may not be the most exhilarating movie as stories go, but it is, with "The Russian Ark"", the most beautiful movie ever made. P.S. Speaking of which: have you seen the latter film? If so, please let me know your impression(s)! Thanks!
I saw Barry Lyndon in a theater when it first came out in 1975 (I was 13 at the time). The family/friends I went with never let me pick out a movie again.
I know the film is different from the book, but this film is basically what you would get if you filmed a novel. People normally complain about things being cut out from the book. Kubrick cuts nothing out. His long scenes with no dialogue are basically what would be descriptive passages in a novel.
Great review...Kubricks "lost" epic, a feast of period melancholic grandeur and a wonderful look into the many sides of the human condition...A lavish storybook of a movie ill always enjoy going back to. Part likeable, scheming, despicable, theres a piece of most of us in that complex character!
Barry Lyndon, at face value, seems like some cold, clinical, stuffy period piece. But despite the source material and a somewhat wooden performance by its lead (which actually could be an attribute, somehow…. Like, the Everyman kinda deal), it somehow is the most emotionally engaging of his films in my opinion. Full Metal Jacket is a rollercoaster ride (a close second), but BL is the one that’s most likely to bring a tear. Fuckin’ LOVE this film! Cheers!
The scenes in the film feeling like paintings because of the way Kubrick directed them. If you notice, the background actors start the scene by not moving at all which gives it that feel
Definitely agree with how it has to settle in...watched it last night and felt like it just moved so slooowly and the score started to be overwhelming towards the end...liked it, of course it is beautiful but went to sleep not loving it. Woke up this morning and been thinking about it all morning, like it more already.
Thank you so much for this, I really appreciate your review I am a supreme Stanley Kubrick fan I probably have a PhD level understanding of his work since I've been studying this film since I was 13.... Anyhow. Is my all-time favorite Kubrick. I can tell by your appreciation you have great taste
Watched the movie recently for the first time since it's original release. Well... found it very academic. And then The Shining. The same. Only in Full Metal Kubrick started loosening up again. In this genre, I think Ridley made a more rewarding The Duelists.
The greatest film about the 18th century ever made! The score is superbe, Händel’s Sarabande playing a similar role as did Purcell’s ‘Funeral Music for Queen Mary’ in ‘A Clockwork Orange’. You are absolutely gorgeous, by the way ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️!
my #1 Kubrick film is Barry Lyndon #2 2001. this film is a Painting. every scene every still every shot is just beautiful.
I’m not sure if I can say that I have a favourite Kubrick picture, but somehow I keep coming back to Barry Lyndon.
I think that’s because it’s such a profoundly emotional experience. The
emotion is conveyed through the movement of the camera, the slowness of
the pace, the way the characters move in relation to their
surroundings. People didn’t get it when it came out. Many still don’t.
Basically, in one exquisitely beautiful image after another, you’re
watching the progress of a man as he moves from the purest innocence to
the coldest sophistication, ending in absolute bitterness-and it’s all a
matter of simple, elemental survival. It’s a terrifying film because
all the candlelit beauty is nothing but a veil over the worst cruelty.
But it’s real cruelty, the kind you see every day in polite society. -Martin Scorsese
So well said.
I can totally understand Scorsese's affection for this film as I can definitely see its influence all over "The Age of Innocence" which he directed.
My favourite Kubrick movie without a doubt. He poured his heart into this one. It might not look like it but to film XVIII century Europe was his pet projec. When he couldn't do it with Napoleon he did this one instead.
Best. Movie. Ever. Made. Hands down, the best of the best.
I'm 36, and watched it about 10 years ago, every frame is high art.
Hello, I liked your review. I should point out that the narration is reminiscent of the rhetorical style of the period as well as its prevailing literary style. It is meant to be formal, elegant and laced with wise reflections on morality, philosophy and stuff, spoken as if the speaker, a paternal figure or some such, were telling it to you before a crackling hearth. In a loose sense, Barry Lyndon is a framed story, where instead of 'watching' the movie it is understood that you are being told it, and the sounds and imagery are meant as a sort of substantiation of its content.
I think you're absolutely right about Barry Lyndon suffering due to being released after Clockwork Orange.
People always called me crazy for saying this is my fav Kubrick nice to see some justification for my view
I would say best movie ever, but then again it is the same thing as kubricks best
As an Australian, Barry Lyndon highlights British society in the two decades before Australia was settled by the British. I've always imagined that Barry was in the First Fleet (as a prisoner) but then became one of our "settler" aristocracy families. And yes, it's a very funny movie, if you can hear how drily humorous the narration, in particular, is. "But Johnathan", as Barry steals Johnathan's horse and uniform.
I made the mistake of holding off watching Barry Lyndon because of the mediocre reviews. It quickly became one of my favorite Kubrick films. Great review!
Thank you for helping to blow the trumpet of this movie .. it's just a masterpiece, and like you, I want to bring it to everyone's attention ... This was a very astute piece of criticism and I will be checking out more of your reviews for sure .. all the best !
really liked your review.. this is also one of my all time favorite movies. Too me it is like your in a museum and you seeing a series of paintings by a certain artist. and it comes to life to tell you the real story behind the pretty pictures. sometimes it like you are watching the painting that is watching you.
I just watched this film for the 1st time and it was on the big screen.
The most beautiful cinematic experience i’ve ever had.
And as a Kubrick fan, i was so delighted to witness this masterpiece in theaters
It's a feast for the senses. The cinematography, the dialogue, the narration, the music, the irony are all so delicious. It's like going to the MET and stare at your favorite oil painting and fall into 3 hour dream about the art.
Recently came across your youtube channel and heard you mention this movie and I watched it for the first time. I am blown away, I will be watching again. But your word is spreading this movie and I appreciate the suggestion.
Yes. I agree. 2001 and then Barry Lyndon. It’s mesmerizing and unique. It’s almost like time travel. The music is incredible and photography is second to none. One has to surrender to it. You are obviously a smart young lady. Good choice.
I saw it for 1st time in a theater this year. Even with the amazing program our Ken Cinema (San Diego) have had this season, including other Kubrick movies, some of Tarkovsky and Yamasaki or gems as BladeRunner. Barry Lyndon is perhaps the most exquisite piece I have ever seen. As Spielberg tirelessly says: The craft is impeccable. Nobody has ever shoot a movie with such encyclopedic knowledge and detailed attention as Stanley.
I don't recall his name but the kid who plays young Bullingdon gives my favorite performance of any Kubrick movie. The scene just after the marriage where he lays it out to the Reverend in such a way that leaves him speechless is incredible. "It hurts me very much to see her make a fool of herself."
In fact I think this is the best cast Kubrick ever gathered outside 'Dr. Strangelove'. Endlessly quoteable.
I don’t know if you’ll see this, but the actor Leon Vitale who played Bullington later went on to become Stanley Kubrick’s chief go-to person for just about everything (“assistant” doesn’t even begin to cover their relationship or the extent of his responsibilities), a position he held for the remainder of Kubrick’s life. There’s even a fascinating documentary on the subject which you would do well to check out.
Dominic Savage
@@michaelhall2709 He died in 2022. Very sad!
@@franksylva9031 Dominic Savage played the younger version of Lord Bullingdon (when Barry and Lady Lyndon first met).
My interpretation of the film is that the distant narration and O'Neal's vapid performance are meant to convey how Lyndon's character is a shallow human being with almost no emotional depth. He constantly seeks out success and happiness but is never truly successful at doing so, all because he has no real direction in life and hasn't found any sense of purpose for himself. He's so concerned with pleasing himself that he doesn't know how to respond properly in life when things don't go his way (e.g. Bullingdon dissing him in front of a crowd, Bryan dying), nor does he know how to handle any form of responsibility (his inability to manage "his" money and pay his debts once he joins the Lyndon family). The movie is intended to feel very superficial and shallow because that is exactly what the protagonist is. Genius, if you ask me.
.....I think we 're all invited by the movie to feel a little shallow, to recognize we 're all a bit of a Barry. Barry doesn't start out bad, he starts out naive....don't we all ? The narration/ Michael Hordern is brilliant ....and a brilliant actor. (funny thing happened on the way to the forum)
We all try to climb and fall from the ladder at one point. Very, very few people manage balance.
he was a bit like Tony Montana in many ways - came up the hard way but couldn’t handle having a fortune and having no idea what to do with it.
@@TheWaynos73 Excellent comparison as far as scenario structure and vivid portrayal of the respective milieu's. Elvira and Lady Lyndon end lonely and morose.
Downfall is brought upon by the killing of one very close family member (son/sister) and betrayal of a close male/buddy/rival.The American dream vs the English class system.
The cinematography and the score kind of put you in a trance as you’re watching it.
Fabulous review! I couldn’t agree more- this film is one of Kubrick’s finest. Extremely sophisticated, methodical, and timeless! I have been a long time fan of your reviews and you have driven me to appreciate the value of film. Thanks for all your amazing insight.
That screen going black at the end of part one was for an intermission when it first played in theaters. It was a chance for the audience to get the circulation in their legs flowing again or to simply leave, which a number of people did when I saw the movie in first run. It wasn't nicknamed Boring Lyndon for nothing. The longest three hours I can recall for an English language movie.
The movie fascinates me more and more any time I see again. Not only the impeccable photography, but for his vision of life. We come to the world to get the better life we can get, we succeed, we fail and years later we are not in the world anymore, leaving place for others to live their proper lives.
The last lines in the movie, putting out that every character, good or bad, is now dead is something I can't take out of my mind. Real and painful, masterpiece
That final card haunts me…. I’m assuming it’s taken from the book.
I'm European and I thought there weren't enough carriage chases and explosions in this movie. Actually, the cinematography, music and casting were close to perfect. The apparent slow pace is a result of the way we are so gracefully transported from scene to scene as so much happens in the 3 hours. It's one of the only movies by any director that makes me well up, it's also given me a greater appreciation of our countryside in the UK.
accurate, intelligent, insightful review. I was required to view this film in high school for a humanities class when it came out. Everyone hated it. I found myself loving it and, rather surprised at myself, it became one of my favorite films. In that way "Barry Lyndon" revealed to me as a teenager some of my own, dare i say, sophisticated taste. Loved the storytelling, performances, cinematography, music, and period scenery and costume as you mention. Kubrick used natural light. Redmond Barry by Thackeray is a memorable literary character that Kubrick made immortal in cinema. Thanks for the enthusiastic review.
Hi,
I saw this awesome film because of your review, which I quickly paused, then watched the film and returned for the rest of this review. Good job, great film. I found this quote from Philip K Dick, which I find applies well to many of these characters:
"You will be required to do wrong no matter where you go. It is the basic condition of life to be required to violate your own identity. At some time, every creature which lives must do so. It is the ultimate shadow; the defeat of creation. This is the curse at work, the curse that feeds on all life everywhere in the universe."
...Don't we all start off as wide-eyed and bushy-tailed idealists? And even as we climb, as Barry did, we pick up the scars and cracks that turn us into regretful realists... warts n all.
Is there a lesson to be learnt? Perhaps this? : Do the best you can, safe in the knowledge we're all the same. Then and now and probably forever more.
Digi WongaDude WOW!! 👌👏👏
I was awed by that painting scene as well. Great review!
A very eloquent review of a cinema masterpiece, well done!
Good review!
I've just seen the movie, and I cannot say a lot about it, but I can say that it is a typical Kubrick.
I want to point out three things I appreciate very much:
I watched the movie and while watching I realized how uncomfortable it was for me to have no one likeable enough to identify with. Till close to the end I thought I would not like the movie. Immediately after it, many thoughts came to my mind about it and I realized the depth of it and a few of the great qualities of it. This "post watching shock" is a main quality many Kubrick movies have on me. His movies are something to delve into, to rewatch and to reconsider. They are much more than the average good movie.
I like how the most frequently displayed look of Redmont mirrors everything in the movie: The fear, the passion, the uncertainty, the difficulty, the self-pity... . It's a great ability of Kubrick to display big pictures with small scenes and to use the actors to do what he obviously wants to express.
I love how many - even very important - things are not fully explained, but Kubrick just gives hints to build a world of content the viewer himself has to develop. Like for example the relationship between Redmont and Lady Lyndon. You have thie smoking scene, the bathing scene, the scene of the Lady's signing for the expenses on Redmont in the end...
This is the second time for me having watched a movie totally underestimating it while watching it the first time (the other one was EWS which I have given much thought for to grasp it more and more).
Kubrick was a genius.
You provided a very spot on review of BL and I knew I really enjoyed the movie, but didn't know exactly why, other than watching the stunning Marissa Berenson. Now that you provided your excellent analysis I can appreciate it even more and think I'll watch it again soon, and soak in lush artistry. Another thing Ireally loved was the music score, especially the opening Sarabande in its various forms and the Schubert Piano Trio, played most notably during the famous card game where Lady Lyndon becomes infatuated with her future husband. Kubrick has a knack for finding the most effective music for his movies, and think this is his best. I even bought the soundtrack way back when the movie first came out. I recently acquired the piano score for the Haydn Sarabande and would like to find it for the Piano Trio, but it's only written for the 3 instruments. By the way, if you don't play the piano, you should. You would be a natural. With the length of your fingers you could probably reach 2 octaves, or close. You could play Rachmaninoff a lot easier than me, something I have been striving toward for years.
Wow, you articulated the effect the movie has on you so well! I watched Barry Lyndon for the first time a few days ago and haven't been able to get it out of my head. Great review!!
If I have a criticism of Barry Lyndon is that it is a tell not show story shoehorned into the most beautiful oil landscape conceivable. It is a realistic portrayal of a person. It does not sweat out a overly harsh ending nor does it seek any false happiness. It feels right. It is futility set to a singular era. The failure of one man shows us what was wrong with that society then and the human race through all time.
Okay, I just talked myself into liking it more.
This post is solid platinum.
The film itself is amazing, but I for one didn’t take a shine to the Redmond Barry character, mainly due to the the fact he’s very unprincipled and selfish. Maybe he changed because of life, as he was very innocent in the beginning, but I believe that isn’t how you should be
So happy you love this too. I enjoy when we disagree because you make great points, but this is simply one of my favorite films of all time.
I agree with everything you said here. Thanks for sharing this! Another thing I noted last time I watched it (last week) is when the narrator telegraphs what's about to happen (which Kubrick does from time to time in other films to create anticipation and dread), like when he says "Barry would leave none of his race behind him." Anyway, thanks again. Well done!
Great review. Thanks. The piston duel scene is like a nightmare in which you can't wake up, nor look away from.
I have always wanted to see this film (I've had it in my collection for a few years) and finally immersed myself in it, this evening. I was engaged more in the second half than the first but did, laugh at the absurdity and farce and also feel touched by the emotion and tragedy. The child actor who played Barry's son, was incredible! I grew a little tired of the zoom out establishing shots and the incessant music (I think, I would like to see an almost scoreless version to be honest) but... what sumptuous (I thought and exclaimed out loud while watching) beauty! It was an unforgettable experience, I will revisit
Easily my favorite Kubrick and arguably the best film ever made imo.
i love his zoom technique - going from a perfect close up frame to perfect wide shot frame.
I am a huge Kubrick fan and I love most of his work but I found Barry Lyndon painfully boring. I couldn’t invest in any of the characters and the whole experience seemed distant and dull. It doesn’t also help the fact I don’t like period films in general.
I really enjoyed the duels and some of the war scenes in the first part. In generally the first part of the story kept me a little bit interested. In the second part I wanted to cut my vanes from boredom.
Having said that the cinematography is absolutely unreal. Every single frame truly is a painting, the lighting (especially the indoor scenes with the candle lit only rooms where he used the Zeiss Planar 50mm lens which was custom made for NASA) the zoom ins, zooms outs, dolly shots - just pure perfection.
It’s sad that I couldn’t make myself to like it and I wanted to so so much.
Fantastic analysis. Barry Lyndon is my favorite Kubrick film. A breathtakingly beautiful expose of a soulless society who's hollow rituals reduce what little humanity one has left after successfully climbing to the top of the hill.
No different to our culture, or any other culture. In the end everyone tries to achieve something, and ends up losing it all, if not before than when death occurs. It is a deeply pessimistic disecting of the human condition, and it is timeless.
Perhaps this Kubrick is my fav. Seems to get better with each viewing. The score is amazing.
Great review, you gave voice to feelings I couldn't articulate that well.
I was lucky enough to find out my local cinema was having a showing of this movie today, and I couldnt pass up the chance to experience it in the theater.
I agree that this movie is criminally underrated, it's hard to find people that even know about it and those who do often call it boring and move on killing what I hoped would have been a great discussion of one of my favorite movies....I need to find some friends that share my passion.
I really love this movie, I dont know how it places among the kubrick movies for me, but considering that for me cinematography and visual storytelling is so important, it places quite high.
I agree, people don't either know it or can't see it's "pessimistic" beauty, a masterpiece
Very insightful review. So much to say about this movie and I agree with everything you said. On the face of it, this is a period piece, but it's depth in exploring the human condition, raising philosophical and existential questions, really makes it more of a companion piece to 2001, like two sonatas belonging to the same opus. The use of Schubert's music is significant if one is familiar with Schubert's music. A chilly loneliness pervades, thawed by moments of aching tenderness, warmth, intimacy and beauty, and always the lingering awareness of mortality, and of life ebbing away. The same is true of this film. Our heart breaks for Barry in that freeze frame of him climbing, crippled, into his carriage, never to be seen again, because it is the plight of all of us as the narrator sardonically reminds us at the end. Our hopes, fears, loves, losses, ambitions, idealised paintings, self portraits, modern day selfies, are all trivial, pathetic, when seen objectively and at a distance- nature can always point it's objective lense at us and capture us in our moments of imperfection, debauchery, stupidity, vulnerability, violence, lack of social status, immorality, poverty, and say to us "see, this is what you really are in spite of your attempts to be something different'. And yet when faced with the futility of it all, our empathy with Barry's plight, shows us that there is something beautiful and noble about being a human being, captured in an image, flattering or unflattering as it may be- a fleeting moment in time, a candle glowing however briefly in the eternal darkness. If Kubrick is concerned with how to find meaning in a universe which objectively speaking is ambivalent about the importance of human beings, then Kubrick's "objective coldness" is in the service of uncovering truly human, unsentimental emotions. Kubrick was not a cold director.
Great review. I am surprised you don't say more about the soundtrack. Hauntingly beautiful, it is the soundtrack that elevates this from being amongst Kubrick's best to being his very best IMHO.
A highly underrated film. Thanks for the review!
Enjoyed your review very much. Have considered Kubrick to be one of my favorite directors (Lynch and Wenders are the other two in my top 3) and you mentioned his cold detached style. Oddly, that is what it is about his style that I love especially in the dialogues he shoots. It allows you to focus solely on the intimacy of a shared moment. I think it’s most magnetic in Eyes Wide Shut but I recall that in Clockwork Orange &Full Metal Jacket.
That being said, I’ve been meaning to watch this for decades and finally was able to see it today. The 3 hour length and the period made me shy away from it.
But at the start of this long movie, it grabbed me pretty quickly and I was easily committed to the story.
On the satire aspect, my favorite scene was the wedding procession and the perverted without subtlety in the most monotoned seriousness as the Reverend Runt (lol) talked about the visceral responsibilities the husband and wife must go thru to procreate. That scene had me laughing hard.
I also found the robbery scene early in the movie to be funny too.
Love your point on how Barry Lyndon was filmed in the second half as if he were affixed in portraits. That’s an amazing metaphor for how materialistic society sucks the individuality of people.
Amazing trivia was that of the actress who played the Countess whose younger sister Berry Berenson died on flight 11 on 9/11/2001, the plane hijacked by Muhammad Atta. Also, that Berry was married to Anthony Perkins (“Psycho”)
This is an excellent movie and one that I am sure I’ll like more with each watch.
In other words this movie is about *You* *Reap* *What* *You* *Sow* kind of story. Great movie, I saw this movie in the early 80’s when was a teenager, I was captivated by the type of movie and years later as an adult I wanted to see the movie again but couldn’t remember the titled, I was fruitlessly searching for it, until not too long ago I came across it by accident, I was very happy, and I purchased the 4K Blue Ray DVD versión on Amazon, $25.00, but it’s worth it, digitally remastered with DTS sound and 4K scaling at 60 FPS. This movie looks as if they produced it in 2018, the image and audio quality is superb.
Barry Lyndon is a beautiful movie that recreates perfectly the past. One of my favorite Kubrick movies too.
Omg this analysis is sooo on point...especially that point about the mirroring of the first part and the second part.
For me I’d say 1. 2001 A Space Odessy 2. The Killing 3. Dr. Strangelove 4. Paths of Glory 5. The Shining 6. Barry Lyndon 7. Spartacus 8. A Clockwork Orange 9. Full Metal Jacket 10. Lolita 11. Eyes Wide Shut
After 2001, my favorite Kubrick film. Masterpiece.
Great review DFL. It's interesting you place 2001 right above Barry Lyndon on your top two Kubrick movie list. For me its the same two movies but in different order. Plus, BL and 2001 are number one and two (in order) my top two favorite films, and I have seen all the "great films".
As great as 2001 is, I argue that BL is the best film ever made. I am sure this will anger many especially those who've never seen it or not seen it in its entirety. Again great work! Thank you.
If only there were more girls like you in this world.
A wonderful review, very insightful - this film is so much more than beautiful imagery, though the beauty is a big part of the story telling. "Barry Lyndon" is my favorite Kubrick film, the one I've watched most often (2001 is my close second). Like "2001", Kubrick takes a God's-eye-view, an existential perspective on humanity's place in the universe, it's a portrait of a specific time, but it explores issues that are transcendent, that are timeless. I also very much appreciate the droll humor, but there's something so moving for me, more than any other Kubrick film, about Barry's struggles, his ego and attachments, and his ultimate tragedy and loss. Beauty and tragedy, love and death, were the great inspirations for the Romantic period. "Barry Lyndon" shows that life is ephemeral. For me this is Kubrick's most poetic film, the one that's closest to music.
Good review! But I think it's important to mention how Kubrick initially wanted to do Napoleon beforehand. And I think what attracted Stan to both Napoleon and Barry Lyndon was the commonality of 'naivety'. Kubrick was fascinated by how Napoleon could be so brilliant on one hand, and so childish on the other. And Barry Lyndon is much the same I think. To be so in love with his cousin Nora, and not seeing the future were that to continue on. To his use and abuse of the Bullington family. But you point out a good fact in Barry reading to his son, and the painting behind them. As it all is just elaborated stories in that one shot. How much is true and fabricated in that moment, be it by determination or blind luck to embody all those elements past and present. And I think it's that framing that makes the future look so materialistic and empty that emotes the sadness you felt. I'd say the movie focuses on pure lust, but for what exactly? It makes it so romantic in one way, but so horrendously shallow by the end of it all. And coming from the adventure that opened possibilities in 2001 and A Clockwork Orange to such a dismal conclusion in Barry Lyndon I don't think anyone was truly braced for. Much better though than Eyes Wide Shut IMHO.
Yes, I actually said that but I cut it out of the final video for time length.
I really enjoyed listening to your thoughts on what is my favourite film. Great job
In the fashion of many French films, Barry Lyndon is an immersive experience, if you have a little knowledge of photography, costume design, storytelling and a few other bits and bobs, you can sit back and let go for this wonderful film. I think it’s what some of the latest (2024) overly long films aspire to, but come nowhere near.
In the past couple of months I've watched every Kubrick film besides Spartacus and 2001:. I am watching them soon and love hearing your analysis of them. I immediately type in Deep Focus Lens after watching a film now 😂 where before it would just be Chris Stuckmann or Jeremy Jahns but you review older films more than them. Love the channel!
Thanks to you I've also delved into parts of cinema I never would have imagined. Peeping Tom and Repulsion to name a few. Loved them both and I never would have stumbled upon them otherwise.
A crushing movie in many ways, that when it gets too tough to watch I focus on the beauty. But it is simply the story of a life. Sad and wonderful and tragic all at the same time.
Great review, thanks! And thanks for sharing your good taste with people who may have overlooked or be unaware of this movie. For me, this is Kubrick's greatest achievement - I don't hesitate to put it above even Dr. Strangelove or 2001.
Kubrick's camera is hypnotizing, but sound in his movies... it's something unique. Especially in Barry Lyndon. I can watch the movie over and over again only because of the sound ( and the most courteous robbery ever^^ ).
The dryest comedy ever made - it didn't even care if the audience got it, it was so deliciously droll. So glad to hear your rich understanding of the film.
The second best Kubrick (after 2001) and among my 10 best films of all times. Some found it boring and lengthy? It's anything but ! The story is spellbinding and the dramatic tension is constant. The only "negative" aspect of watching Barry Lyndon is the absurd sadness of the main protagonist's fate. You see it coming and when his youngest boy dies, your heart is so broken, and the outlook of his future is so bleak that it indeed makes watching the end of the second part difficult to watch. But that's the power of cinema. You don't watch this movie for a carefree escape from reality. It is a very beautiful but extremely melancholic movie. I don't feel like watching it every week, because of its cold depiction of a sad destiny. But when I feel ready, it brings an endless pleasure for the eyes and a revelation for the heart and reason. A masterpiece, no question asked.
This movie works on many levels. It’s got a beautiful narrative and the choice of language is superb. It’s also got great cinematography. It’s a film about class and upbringing and, like Vanity Fair, about upstarts trying to get up in society but being incapable of doing so. It’s about morality and lack of it . This girl is circumnavigating the central themes. It looks like a painting , but more to it than that
Almost every shot is visually stunning...like a painting.
Fun fact: the dramatic melody of the final duel (and may other parts of the film) is La Follia, which was a popular Spanish folk tune that became a popular tune for variations to compose to for many, many composers in the 18th century. The dramatic version in the film is more or less Handel's interpretation plus some 'quiet' variations added. It is a tune that probably would have been easily recognizable by the nobility of the period in which the film is set. Besides Handel's version, other notable versions with noticeably different tones include variations done by Corelli, Vivaldi, Bach, and Salieri.
Ir's a very subtle film and it has depth too. What is... a life, really? It's baroque masterpiece. Barry Lyndon rises through a society that's massively, structurally, unequal and harsh. The ornate character of baroque music and art, existing side by side with incrdible bone-crushing, ugliness and grinding poverty and filthy living conditions for the vast majority of the peasants. On top, a glittering, colourful, luxurious world for a tiny sliver of the aristocratic ruling elite. There wars where almost as incomprehensible and ghastly as our own. We, in contrast, have really 'perfected' the art of mass killing taking the battlefield to every part of our living space.
Barry reminds me of reality tv star who rises without any real talent to a position of immense wealth and power, to which he is utterly unsuited. The film version is far darker than the novel by Thackery. Kubrick isn't really that interested in Barry Lyndon as a person, but in the people and society he moves through on his sad journey into... nothingness and silence.
As a fan of Kubrick and a big fan of your in depth and thoughtful reviews, I waited to watch this until I saw the film. I don’t know it just felt a little flat. It’s is one of the most gorgeous films ever no doubt, but for me this is definitely one of Kubrick’s most cold and skeletal film, I didn’t really care about Barry and Kubrick made me feel nothing for any of the characters. I was thoroughly disappointed by it, considering how much admiration I have for Kubrick. Yes the theme that “this life he worked to achieve, does not fulfill him” is clearly stated but did not make me feel anything or is fulfilling to me as a viewer. Of course your review was insightful and interesting, but this movie just didn’t strike a chord with me.
Exactly how I felt as well. I am a huge Kubrick fan and I love most of his work but I found Barry Lyndon painfully boring. I couldn’t invest in any of the characters and the whole experience seemed distant and dull. It doesn’t ado help the fact I don’t like period films in general.
I really enjoyed the duels and some of the war scenes in the first part. In generally the first part of the story kept me a little bit interested. In the second part I wanted to cut my vanes from boredom.
Having said that the cinematography is absolutely unreal. Every single frame truly is a painting, the lighting (especially the dark inside scenes with the candle lit only rooms where he used the Zeiss Planar 50mm lens which was custom made for NASA) the zoom ins, zooms outs, dolly shots - just pure perfection.
It’s sad that I couldn’t make myself to like it and I wanted to so much.
@@gpapa31 , I agree with everything you said here. It looks great, but I had no reason to care about any of these people. Barry himself is sort of an amoral Forest Gump.
Just watched it again last night. So underrated and beautiful.
Anyone vaguely interested in photographic lenses should know about this film. A film that goes well with Barry Lyndon is "The Duellist".
I had the extreme privilege of seeing Lyndon in 35mm a couple years ago. It was the first time I'd ever seen the film, and I nearly drooled over the cinematography and costume design. Its four Oscar wins were supremely justified, IMO.
I agree that Barry Lyndon is Stanley Kubrick’s second greatest movie after 2001.
Your review is spot on with great insight
Just saw this for the 1st time. I enjoyed the movie. Hard to get past Ryan O'Neal's here and gone accent and bad acting but truly a cinematic experience that carries his performance. Great review.
Kubrick used a special camera and a special lense ,(that he got from the NASA) ,in order to achieve the candlelight shots without using additional lighting as was the usual back in those days. John Alcott, his cinematographer based some compositions in Rembrandt´s works. I remember that once they invited me to a private projection of the film and must of the audience were professional photographers and ,every time that those candlelight shots appeared they had these ``Wooooows!´´ reactions.
It’s the best movie! Number 1 in my top 100 list.. It’s waaay better than 2001 in my opinion. Great analysis and review!!
It's my favorite Kubrick film, because the character is an everyman type, who is basically at the mercy of an unforgiving society. He sees, in Lady Lyndon, a chance at obtaining the security he's never had, and he takes it, only to have it eventually stripped from him because no one around him is willing to accept him into their society. Barry Lyndon is neither a good nor a wholly bad person, but like all of us, he is capable of deep love and flashes of anger, and it's the latter that eventually result in his downfall. I find it an incredibly sad movie, and I find Barry Lyndon a tragic figure.
Great critique, I look forward to revisiting this film.
Just found you. Wonderful insights and analysis!
If Kubrick could come back to life and make one more movie I really wish he could’ve gotten to do Blood Meridian. The directing style of detached, almost scientific examination with painterly framing play into the themes of the book and would’ve been the exact right fit
I always wondered about that break between part 1, and part 2. I was half convinced that it was a... mistake? But, it's third on my list. My favorite is still Dr. Strangelove.
I already said it, but I'll say it again. The similarities between our tastes in cinema is amazing! 2001... happens to be my most favorite filns of all time, and Barry Lindon, my second best by Kubrick and definitely among my 10 favorites of all time. I saw the movie at the cinema when it came out (hereby betraying my age :)). Imagine how spoiled I was, being 18 at the time Lyndon came out. I had been transmogrified by 2001, and with Clockwork Orange, well, I had been completely transformed by the movie. So advanced ideologically at the time... so much that, as you know, it had quite unpleasant consequences for Kubrick. He was accused of corrupting the mind of British youths with his "complacent" depiction of a form of "coded violence" that appealed a lot to young men because it was intellectual, witty, funny and original. Violence mimicking Alex's erupted in France abd the UK. Kubrick even had to hide. Even in French, Clockwork was such a phenomenon that many of its expressions in the imaginary language created by Burgess in the original book were adopted in urban French (my mother tongue).
So I, like all guys of my age then, was feverishly expecting the next Kubrick movie which, fortunately didn't take too long to come out - compared to what was about to come in the next decade!).
The first fun nemory I have about Barry Lyndon was that I was among the only few that were happy and satisfied with the film, despite its complete departure from the futuristic tangent Kubrick had taken with his 3 previous movies, starting with Dr. Strangelove. Like you mentioned, I was enthralled by the highly aesthetic qualities of Lyndon. On the big screen with a pristine copy (sorry for bragging... or not :)). this movie was shining (pun intended). I love the countryside landscapes in England (such pleasant memories from Oxfordshire!), and the movie was a literal cry of love by Kubrick for the splendid colors and textures of nature photographed with obvious love and reverence (perhaps inspired by Stanley's wife, a nature enthusiast like me).
And the music !! And the natural lighting! I knew, having read about it before I first viewed the film in the fully packed theater, that Kubrick had worked with those unique ultra-wide lenses developed by contract for NASA to obtain photographs of the "hidden" surface of the moon while orbiting it. (Remember the early 70s were those of the 6 Apollo missions). The idea was to try to obtain photographic records of the hidden face of the Moon for the first time (the Apollo NASA missions had just been completed at the time of filming Barry Lyndon, so the timing was perfect to get hold of those specially designed. lenses, which he paid for a high sum IIRC. Kubrick had become well acquainted woth a few NASA engineers and scientists while filming 2001, so that helped him to get the confidence needed in that super-organization to finally grab those precious lenses. I think a German optical company was subcontracted by NASA to make these special lenses for the Moon missions. And by reusing them later for his own purposes, they enabled Kubrick to film evening meals and dances using candlelight exclusively. Knowing Kubrick, one can easily understand how adamant he was to film XVIIIth century events in England, Ireland and Prussia exactly as they occured back in those days. This was the first time anybody had attempted to film interiors without electruc lighting, back then. Remember: photographic film wasn't light-sensitive enough to generate decent 🤔 images in the mid 70s... And I remember being very moved by the sight of people eating, discussing and watching one another - and cheating at cards! thanks precisely to the limits of candlelight. It's a bit hard to describe, but since you have seen Barry Lyndon, I think you can relate to that. Just think about how the general "look" of pre-1980 films, perhaps. One can notice (among many differences) how interior scenes looked like. Even when people were supposed to be in darkness one always sees that big projectors were used. Think also about night scenes: without exceptions, all films made before the mid-80s (at least until then) use day-for-night.
I watch and rewatch Barry Lyndon on a regular basis. To me, it may not be the most exhilarating movie as stories go, but it is, with "The Russian Ark"", the most beautiful movie ever made.
P.S. Speaking of which: have you seen the latter film? If so, please let me know your impression(s)! Thanks!
I saw Barry Lyndon in a theater when it first came out in 1975 (I was 13 at the time). The family/friends I went with never let me pick out a movie again.
I love this film, the cinematography is insanely beautiful. Another reason is I love period pieces.
It would be nice to have a retrospective double feature, with BARRY LYNDON followed by THE DUELLISTS. Both films have a similar look and feel.
I know the film is different from the book, but this film is basically what you would get if you filmed a novel. People normally complain about things being cut out from the book. Kubrick cuts nothing out. His long scenes with no dialogue are basically what would be descriptive passages in a novel.
If someone says they are a Kubrick fan or even a movie fan and don’t know Barry Lyndon, they’re a poser.
Great review...Kubricks "lost" epic, a feast of period melancholic grandeur and a wonderful look into the many sides of the human condition...A lavish storybook of a movie ill always enjoy going back to. Part likeable, scheming, despicable, theres a piece of most of us in that complex character!
Barry Lyndon, at face value, seems like some cold, clinical, stuffy period piece. But despite the source material and a somewhat wooden performance by its lead (which actually could be an attribute, somehow…. Like, the Everyman kinda deal), it somehow is the most emotionally engaging of his films in my opinion. Full Metal Jacket is a rollercoaster ride (a close second), but BL is the one that’s most likely to bring a tear. Fuckin’ LOVE this film! Cheers!
The scenes in the film feeling like paintings because of the way Kubrick directed them. If you notice, the background actors start the scene by not moving at all which gives it that feel
I saw this film several years after it was first released. Loved it! I saw the satire in it and got a kick out of it.
Don't know any ladies (other than you) who like 2001. It is maybe my favorite movie ever. Once it starts playing, I can't stop watching.
Great analysis, btw.
One of the greatest works of art of the 20th century, period.
Definitely agree with how it has to settle in...watched it last night and felt like it just moved so slooowly and the score started to be overwhelming towards the end...liked it, of course it is beautiful but went to sleep not loving it. Woke up this morning and been thinking about it all morning, like it more already.
Thank you so much for this, I really appreciate your review I am a supreme Stanley Kubrick fan I probably have a PhD level understanding of his work since I've been studying this film since I was 13.... Anyhow. Is my all-time favorite Kubrick. I can tell by your appreciation you have great taste
I really like your channel your very interesting.
Its a movie that gets better the older you get.
I first saw this movie when I was 20. I was unexpectedly and totally spellbound.
I like that part of the voiceover where it says that the very qualities that led to his success, also lead to his downfall.
I love this movie, saw it the first weekend it was in the theaters. At the time much was made of his new method of filming using only candle light.
Watched the movie recently for the first time since it's original release. Well... found it very academic. And then The Shining. The same. Only in Full Metal Kubrick started loosening up again. In this genre, I think Ridley made a more rewarding The Duelists.
The greatest film about the 18th century ever made! The score is superbe, Händel’s Sarabande playing a similar role as did Purcell’s ‘Funeral Music for Queen Mary’ in ‘A Clockwork Orange’.
You are absolutely gorgeous, by the way ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️!
Probably the least distanced film that Kubrick made was Paths of Glory. The last scene moves me to tears.