Barry Lyndon

Despite Kubrick's personal assistant Leon Vitali supervising it, the previous WB Barry Lyndon Blu-Ray botched the film by cropping it at a 1.78 aspect ratio to fit widescreen TV sets, even though Stanley Kubrick *expressly* stated back in 1975 that the film should be ideally presented in glorious 1.66 (do a Google search for "stanley kubrick barry lyndon letter to projectionists").Because of the fact that this Criterion release is in 1.66, this Blu Ray is *the* Holy Grail of Barry Lyndon discs.UPDATE Oct. 17: Just popped this disc into my Blu Ray player and can confirm the Saul Bass Warner Bros Logo during the opening credits has been restored! It was missing from the previous 2011 Warner Bros Blu Ray. With a 4K scan of the negatives and the original monaural soundtrack included as an audio track, this Criterion Blu Ray is hands down the only way this film should be watched on a home theater system.

Let's just cut to the chase with this release: is it a worthy release and does it improve upon the Warner's release. The simple answer is yes and kind of. It is very much a deluxe release that is worthy of the film's importance. Just hearing the film in 5.1 is worth the price alone. The extras round out the film, to include Kubrick's own voice detailing the production and his intentions and decisions. It is Criterion level quality. If you are a fan of the film (as I am), you won't be disappointed.As for the video presentation, is it worth the upgrade? I did a quick comparison to Warner's release and the differences are large and subtle. The most important and significant change is the aspect ratio. Rather than presenting at 1.85, Criterion chose the 1.66 frame based on Kubrick's own notes to projectionists. While that may seem minor, the result it a big difference. The framing now seems to approximate a painting, which is possibly the reason for the difference. That change alone is significant enough to warrant the upgrade.The subtle difference is in the quality of the transfers. The Criterion release (taken from the camera negative) has subtle differences that lends itself to a better presentation. Would I purchase an upgrade just on those differences alone? Probably not.If you want THE best presentation of this film, the quality of the transfer and the proper framing, this is it. I cannot image a better release for this film.

I award very few 5 star ratings but this release deserves it.I did have the WB blu-ray release of this and opted for the CC upgrade.The CC version is a two disk set with one disk devoted to features and documentaries. Fortunately, many of the actors and technical contributors were still available for insights into the making of the film. Although Kubrick is no longer with us his personality and will are very much present.The running time of the film plus the feature disk is around six hours so there is much to savor. I recommend you NOT binge watch this material but enjoy in discreet segments.The film is presented in the aspect ratio that Kubrick demanded in theaters and on my 4K UHD set this results in a very minor "letter box" effect which just slightly results in bars on each end of the screen. This is not distracting at all.CC has distinguished itself again with this release. If you are an admirer of this film I would think you would want this version as perhaps the ultimate re- mastering of a classic movie.The rhythm of this film is sometimes described as slow and the tone cold, but it is actually stately and very subtle with character observation and humor.The narration by Michael Hordern is a source of pleasure in itself.

The best film by a man who stands among the very highest echelon of American artists. Barry Lyndon is Kubrick's best work . This film does for color cinematography what Citizen Kane did for monochrome.Unlike other Criterion releases, previous releases of Barry Lyndon were never lacking. There is no denial that this is probably the best this masterpiece will ever look. The candlelight shines like the sun though a church window. The blacks are truly black, and there is no image noise even on the best OLED 4k screens.In the correct aspect ratio for the first time, Criterion devoted an entire 2nd disc for the special features so as to fit the nearly uncompressed film on one disc. The features are worth watching, though features and overall packaging is decidely not as interesting or insightful as Dr. Strangelove or even The Killing.The cover art is not exactly original but is pleasing enough. This is no Moonrise Kingdom, but there are some interesting technical details in the accompanying booklet. I cannot decide if the long essay is a parody of the slow pace of the film, but you won't be reading it when the movie hits your screen.Barry Lyndon, like Citizen Kane, is the product of an American polymath at the apex of his artistic and technical skill. It is the best period piece ever filmed. Barry Lyndon is the rare film that dares to defy your attention, with it's exaggerated 18th century courtly pace. It is a 3 hour waltz with an unreliable narrator and in perfect timing to some of the most iconic classical music in the western cannon.Just buy the damn thing.

3 hour film of the fall, rise and fall again of a clever but ruthless 18th Century Irishman, based on a novel I have not read by Thackeray, a contemporary of Dickens. The film is itself like one of the thick, sprawling novels of the era, full of characters and incidents, giving an insight into the society, high and low, impressive and depressing, of a lost age. Dauntingly long to see it all but feels worth it afterwards. As a historical drama it is somewhat reminiscent of Ridley Scott's Napoleonic era film The Duellists.'Barry Lyndon' is directed by Stanley Kubrick, who made several famous films, although all so different that they may appeal to different audiences (e.g. 2001, Dr Strangelove, A Clockwork Orange; to me A Clockwork Orange is the best, but definitely not for everyone.)The hero Barry Lyndon is robbed by highwaymen, serves as a private in both the British and the Prussian armies, with an interlude impersonating an officer, becomes skilled cheating at cards, marries into the aristocracy for money, spends other people's wealth recklessly and fights 2 duels with pistols. The duel scenes are played not for excitement but to show the tragic combination of fear and pride involved.From first to last the photography, sets, locations and costumes in 'Barry Lyndon' ooze quality and lavish budget. The acting, with Ryan O'Neill in the title role, is OK but not of the same top standard, with possible exceptions in minor parts, like Leonard Rossiter as a captain in the army with whom, as a rival in love, Barry fights a duel early in the film.The story is, arguably, a tragedy in the classical sense, with an in some ways impressive man ruined by his character flaws, from which we are perhaps meant to draw a moral, although what the moral is, is debatable.Interesting and engaging though he can be, Barry pays a price for his ruthless ambition and extravagance, and causes grief to others in the process.On the other hand, it is not clear he would have been happier if he played by the rules and meekly accepted the hand the World dealt him. The last lines of the film, I do not know if they are Thackeray's or just in the style of, draw no lesson except possibly that whether we are honest or dishonest, high life or low life, does not matter as much as we think, as the end is just the same:'The aforementioned personages lived and quarrelled in the times of George III. Good and bad, handsome and ugly, rich and poor, they are all equal now.'

A cynical take on life in 18th century Britain. We follow the rise and fall of opportunist and solider of fortune Barry Lyndon. I really liked the framing and natural look of the film. Because it was shot in the 70s a few bits do look a bit soft by modern blu ray standards but I still recommend watching this in HD if you can. The film is presented in full screen as well rather than widescreen which I wasn't expecting. The location of Ireland was a good choice to shoot it in too, as were the stately homes of England and the beautiful castles in Germany. The interior sets are very lavish and the costumes also look beautiful. I've seen people complain about the characters in this film but I think that's missing the point. It's a satire on polite society of the period, everyone is out for themself really and they're not above a little cheating to get themself there. The cinematography and soundtrack are outstanding, I especially like the scenes lit by candles. The camera often starts a scene close up then gradually moves out to reveal more. The costumes and music are utterly beautiful.The film for me though wasn't perfect. You struggle to connect with the characters and you don't really care all that much about them. This is deliberately done fhough, tge naration is delivered with coolness, objectivity and a touch of irony. The audience is kept at arms length from some of the characters, things unfold with a kind of fatalism. The film also doesn't have much suspense partly because of the narration which tells the audience what to expect coming up. Its not a suspenseful thriller or action film though but a introspective look at 18th century high society and the fortunes of Barry.

A good old costume drama with a good story and a great cast. There have been a few negative comments about the film and how some of the scenes were shot by candle light, but it does give it that authentic look. The film reminds me of the Ridley Scott's film "The Duelists" another costume drama set in the Napoleonic Wars where this one is set in the Seven Years War. I guess this is where Ridley Scott got the idea from as the filming of the interior scenes are very similar. You might be able to see it on tv on the TCM channel, but it is worth spending a few pounds to watch it without the advert breaks. A must for those who like costume dramas.

Charting the life of a sort of nice guy , toughened by the times, or maybe a not very nice guy who hides it well & becomes a really unpleasant character, maybe... Makes you think about things a bit . I enjoy this sort of film, as there aren't that many good Directors left nowadays. Funny enough made me think of a couple of Eastwood Movies in it's style - maybe that's just me though..

One of Stanley Kubrick's greatest films. The film shot in Ireland is breathtaking in its beautiful cinematography. The atmospheric lighting and camera work is pure artistry. A sterling cast, especially Leonard Rossiter makes this movie a very memorable film. Ryan O'Neal is the eponymous Irish youth whose adventures take you through18th century Europe, encompassing the Seven Years War. A wonderful cinema experience.