Barry Lyndon is a unique and beautiful movie. One that really that needs to be seen rather than described. And, once again Criterion does an outstanding job on video and audio.
Released in 1975, it was written, directed, and produced by Stanley Kubrick, and based on the 1844 novel
The Luck of Barry Lyndon by William Makepeace Thackeray. It takes place in the late 1700’s.
It is a three hour movie, showing the life of Redmond Barry, played by Ryan O’Neil, a charming yet crooked shyster. The story is told from the point of view of a all knowing narrator who advances the story well.
It is divided into two parts: Part I: "By What Means Redmond Barry Acquired the Style and Title of Barry Lyndon" and
Part II: "Containing an Account of the Misfortunes and Disasters Which Befell Barry Lyndon"
The look of this film is outstanding; it is like watching a painting. Kubrick, wanting to use natural lighting instead of artificial modified 50mm lenses so they could film using candlelight, giving the film an outstanding look.
The acting was also unique. The actors, seemed without emotion, often stiff as if they too were painted, but moving and, with a narrator, telling a long story. Well, frankly, the story could have been much shorter but Kubrick lengthened every scene by 50%. Really.
As with every Kubrick movie that I had seen, I have to see it twice to absorb everything in it. There is just so much to take in. And I had to adjust to the pacing, which is so deliberate.
Criterion did a remarkable job on the sound. You have your choice of the original mono or 5 channel DTS. I heard both and both were good, but I preferred the DTS.
Frankly, as much as I enjoyed it none of my friends did. It’s not for everyone. You need to be prepared for this movie, it is unconventional.
Alternate 5.1 surround soundtrack, presented in DTS-HD Master Audio- Interviews with the cast and crew as well as archival audio featuring director Stanley Kubrick on the film's cinematography, costumes, editing, and production
- Interview featuring historian Christopher Frayling on production designer Ken Adam
- Interview with critic Michel Ciment
- Interview with actor Leon Vitali about the 5.1 surround soundtrack, which he cosupervised
- Interview with curator Adam Eaker about the fine-art-inspired aesthetics of the film
- Trailers
- English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- PLUS: An essay by critic Geoffrey O'Brien and two pieces about the look of the film from the March 1976 issue of American Cinematographer
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