Barry Lyndon
released 1975
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“Barry Lyndon” is an American period drama written, produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick and based on the 1844 novel written by William Makepeace Thackeray called “The Luck Of Barry Lyndon”. It stars a talented cast which include Ryan O´Neal, Marissa Berenson, Patrick Magee, Hardy Kruger, Diana Koerner, Steven Burkoff, Marie Kean, Murray Melvin, Frank Middlemass, Andre Morell, Arthur O´Sullivan, Gay Hamilton, Godfrey Quigley, Leonard Rossiter  and it was narrated by Michael Hordern. It won four Oscars at the 1975 Academy Awards and is considered by many to be among the top 100 films Hollywood has made so far. (Consider that Hollywood makes about 500 pictures per year that´s saying alot.) The website Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 97% rating. This film is dated but a classic for a very good reason. It´s a great film.

IMDb Barry Lyndon webpage

Rotten Tomatoes Barry Lyndon webpage

“Barry Lyndon” is the story of a young farm boy named Redmond Barry, played by Ryan O´Neal. He is from a small town in the 18th Century Ireland and is in love with his cousin Nora Brady, played by Gay Hamilton. When he kills Nora´s fiance in a duel Captain John Quin, played by Leonard Rossiter, he is forced to flee. After being robbed he is destitute and joins the British Army. The story takes off from there as the Redmond fights for different sides in war and moves up the social ladder. He doesn´t seem to worry about the effects his actions have on others or the type of person he becomes.

This is a strange tale of ambition, the lust to move up the social class system and love lost. It´s a cynical look at Gregorian society through the lens of its class system with a flawed character that is doomed to live within it. It really has you questions the things in life that you value, chase and worship. Whether it´s the latest fashion or film, belief of the day or way of life. I do believe that if Redmond was not so blinded he would have seen all the precious things he had in his Life and been happier for it. He was a man chasing illusions and his story is a cautionary tale to those that take the wrong things too seriously. Even if all his schemes worked out and he got everything he wanted we would not be looking at a happy man.

I can´t say how good of a film this is. Sure it´s dated but it´s excellent. I highly recommend “Barry Lyndon” as a must see and own. It´s a classic for a very good reason. I loved it.

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