Barry Lyndon

You know it’s going to be a good film when, in its first fifteen minutes, it firmly places you in the perspective of its main character as they face a moral dilemma fueled by their own passion.

One of the best films I've seen. A tale of the limits of ruthless ambition and the cruelty of fate.

This is Kubrick at his zaniest. If you’ve been postponing to watch this because you’re assuming that this is some boring costume drama (like me), trust me that it’s anything but. It’s not dry, there’s a lot of story and it’s probably Kubrick’s most entertaining film. Still, the core of the movie is very cynical and typically Kubrick in every sense: when you strip away the sacred layers that are associated with aristocrats, what you’re left with is nothing more than a bunch of opportunistic human beings. I think it moves really well, the cinematography is incredible and detailed, very good acting, intriguing characters, it’s funny, emotional and brilliantly written; there’s little to complain about. I’m just not a fan of the narration. It often repeats things that should already be clear to the attentive viewer, or it communicates information that should’ve been shown visually. Besides that, this is another Kubrick masterpiece.

8.5/10

I don't understand how some Spanish newspapers, in the cinema section, they talk about this movie as Kubrick's most boring and pretentious work. I can understand that they don't like it, but say it's a horrible movie, no. I have no knowledge in the matter, but I don't need studies to know what is a MASTERPIECE.

It's one of the prettiest movies I've ever seen: colors, landscapes, clothes... Everything is in harmony, it's like watching a lively canvas. The script is beautiful and the plot is very deep.

Please click this link to listen to while reading.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpoNjrM5DlY

This is a film that makes you think you're in a museum looking at great artwork. But omg, that artwork is moving and there's a plot strung together from painting to painting. Put your damn pinky up, because it just gets classy from here.

I'll admit, this is a really long movie that does not move quickly from scene to scene. For some, that is going to be a big turn off. I'll admit, it would really suck if the cinematography was not so frigg'n good. I feel like the slow cuts from shot to shot are intentional, so you can take in the full meaning of everything. I'm also going to guess that life was kinda like that for people back in the 1700s. They didn't exactly have the plethora of stuff to do for entertainment that we have today.

Watching a guy go from his young 20s all the way to his old age is fascinating too. They don't simply make this protagonist a good guy. There are elements where you like him, sympathize with him, root for him; but there are other times you hate him and want him to fail. He clearly loves his son, but is terrible to his stepson. He fights for his true countrymen, but betrays them as well. He's kind of a human.

Some night where you're feeling classy, just pour yourself some high end wine, listen to some classical music, eat some fine cheese & sausage, and then pop this in for a good time.

It's no surprise that your attention is drawn to the cinematography and look of the film given it is Kubrick - it is a beautiful film to watch with every shot perfectly composed as if lifted straight from a painting, especially the night time scenes often lit in candlelight. What may surprise given Kubrick's (unfair) reputation for a cold detached style of filmmaking is how emotional the film is, especially in its second half. The narration of the film sets the tone immediately and lends the film a quaint charm and Kubrick mines a lot of humour from this too. With its three hour running time devoted to following one man's life, the central character is initially very difficult to sympathise with and care about as he has few redeeming qualities, but the audience's attention is held by an unpredictable plot and engaging secondary characters. Gradually as the film develops O'Neal's character becomes much more engaging, particularly in the latter half of the film. Not Kubrick's best film, but well worth the time.

Kubrick used the Zeiss 50mm f/0.7 lens, the fastest lens in existence (and only copy in civilian hands) to film the candlelight scenes naturally with no additional light. The other four copies belong to NASA.

_Barry Lyndon_ reminds me of a very specific summer's day I don't remember when I was a child and the sun seemed it would never stop setting and I was amazed at the permanence of things more profound than I.

This movie is beautiful. Everything feels exquisite and so particularly crafted for this film. The score is amazing. The story is interesting. Barry Lyndon is a fascinating character and we get to see much of his life. A little too long and I think the second half isn't as interesting as the first. Still well worth a watch to see the love and care Stanley Kubrick put into this film.

"Barry Lyndon is", amidst Kubricks' many masterpieces, a film so easily dismissed due to length and the fact that it is overshadowed by others, but I deeply recommend this film to anyone who would like to see a film both for the plot line, the story and the pure enjoyment of the images presented. Stanley Kubrick made many great films – and this one is most definitely one of them!