Barry Lyndon

Buy This Item Barry Lyndon by Warner Home Video  Available from Amazon  $14.49  on 11-14-2008     Thackeray's tale of a roguishly charming 18th century Englishman, card shark and con-man whose good fortune and luck finally run out. Reader Reviews I was already a devoted fan - after all, "Dr Strangelove", "2001" and "Clockwork Orange" all debuted within the previous 10 years (my teens). In the months preceeding the release of Barry Lyndon I read about several aspects of the filmmaking that piqued my anticipation - and ultimately contributed to my lifelong appreciation for this film: 1. The fact that Kubrick assisted in the development of lenses of heretofore unequaled sensitivity in order to film numerous interior scenes by natural or candlelight; 2. That he chose as subject matter a novel (by Thackery), that the author himself had so disliked that he discouraged its publication during his lifetime; and 3. I read that Kubrick had listened to "every" extant period composition for quartet to choose the accompanying soundtrack. Sure, I was as skeptical as anyone as to how Ryan O'neill - Mr "Love Story" - could possibly have the gravitas for a Kubrickian character, and I knew going in that it was 3+ hours long... but I was hypnotized from the opening frame. The pacing, the sardonic narration, the breathtaking cinematography, the unerring score. Certainly my affinities for photography and art history were well thoroughly rewarded, but I also found the storytelling strangely compelling as well. Which is why I bravely(?) sat through the film twice, on the BIG screen, within the first few weeks that it opened. As an insight into my cinematic preferences, the only other film that I recall seeing twice within a few weeks, was "Natural Born Killers". Go figure. Then again, think visuals, soundtrack, and "strange", and perhaps it's not surprising. BTEW, the original soundtrack to BL is highly recommended (I guess you figured that out by now :>0 )

Barry Lyndon Available from Amazon Price: $14.49 Updated on 11-14-2008.

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