Barry Lyndon (1975)

[Poggle]

Wow, that movie is definately on the level of Leone's genius. The various elements in this film make it quite unique, like the way the music and Barry's appearance change during his travels and various roles. If there is one movie on the level of Leone's films I would definately say that Barry Lyndon is it. Kick ass movie!

Are there any other movies like this? It's obvious that films like Amadeus and Braveheart were inspired by it.

[The Firecracker]

If there is one movie on the level of Leone's films I would definately say that Barry Lyndon is it. Kick ass movie!

I wouldnt go as far as to say "Lyndon" is on par with say..."Once Upon A time in the west" or "Giu La Testa" but yes it is a wonderful film.
I believe the second half  starts to drag for far too long though...

[DJIMBO]

Yeah this is one of my favourite films. i agree it does drag slightly and the acting isnt great in places, but as a spectacle its wonderful. interestingly, one of my dads friends was the costume designer (though if anyone had any illusions no my familys not part  of a trendy movie crowd!!).

The music is very Morricone, and the shootouts are good as well, tho not IMO on a par with Leone's (though the reviewer on this website thinks Lyndon's are better)..

[Banjo]

Are there any other movies like this? It's obvious that films like Amadeus and Braveheart were inspired by it.

I was captivated until this comment!

[Poggle]

I don't think their quality is anywhere near Barry Lyndon's but it is an obvious influence in those films. It's like Leone and the many Leone-wannabes. Some may suck and some might not but the Leone influence is still there. Amadeus and Braveheart aren't a zit on Barry Lyndon's Irish buttocks even if I did find them quite entertaining

[noodles_leone]

I'm sorry to say I think that this movie has a lot of flaws.... including the persuasive use of zoom

Anyway: concerning the music of the final duel (a very strange version of the movie theme, sarabande) was intentionaly "morricone-like". According to Mr Kubrick himself: "it was the closest to morricone thing we could manage to do".

[dave jenkins]

BL was Kubrick's attempt at an SW. The big gundown motif runs throughout....

[dave jenkins]

I'm sorry to say I think that this movie has a lot of flaws.... including the persuasive use of zoom

But also the reverse zoom. His general technique is to begin with a tableau, recreating exactly the look of old paintings, then move in for details in medium shots and close-ups. He also does the opposite. Perhaps K can be faulted for wanting to include so many painting-like shots in the picture, but when you achieve such technical excellence it's hard to resist not showing off.

[Poggle]

But also the reverse zoom. His general technique is to begin with a tableau, recreating exactly the look of old paintings, then move in for details in medium shots and close-ups. He also does the opposite. Perhaps K can be faulted for wanting to include so many painting-like shots in the picture, but when you achieve such technical excellence it's hard to resist not showing off.

I like the fact that every shot looks like a painting. The zooms give it a "flat" look to have that painting quality.

I don't see anything wrong with him "trying to do a SW" kind of story with Lyndon. I think It blows many non-Leone SW's out of the water with the over-the-top storyline and quality.

[The Firecracker]

I think It blows many non-Leone SW's out of the water with the over-the-top storyline and quality.

I dont see how that statment can be taken seriously. Lyndon is an entirly different movie from any spaghetti western. Yes it has the traditional final "duel" but ultimatly spaghetti westerns are mainly entertaining "throw away" action movies which Lyndon is not. There is just is no comparision except for the "duels". Any comparision would be un-fair.

[Juan Miranda]

I do love certain aspects of this film, the production design, the battle scenes and especially the cinematography. The last time I met Freddie Francis was at a screening of LYNDON at the NFT in London, and  when John Alcott's end credit appeared on the screen there was a huge burst of applause from the audience.

I'm surprised though that so far no one has pointed out how awful Ryan O'Neal is in the film. He's not a bad performer when properly used, but he is the kiss of death to this movie in so many ways. He seems to have been cast exclusivly due to his box office pull at the time, and maybe his Irish name blinded Kubrick to the fact that he looks like a Califonian surfer with a smart assed urban way of delivering dialogue? Could have been worse I guess, he could have hired Burt Reynolds.

[Mw/NNrules]

Are there any other movies like this? It's obvious that films like Amadeus and Braveheart were inspired by it.

Although a way different film, City of God struck me as very Leone like in essence. And I don't just mean the violence: the freezing frames, and the episode like format, all seem very Leone to me. Barry Lyndon and City of God are only the same in how they seem SW like.

[mike siegel]

MASTERPIECE.

To compare Leone & Kubrick is a strange idea, I think. Just because they both made epic films? I love and collect
them both, they were both sticklers for detail, both among the most talented film makers ever.

Ryan O'Neal was perfect cast for the film. Kubrick said he choose him, because he looked absolutely perfect for
the role and that he thought O'Neal could do better acting jobs than his previous films demanded of him. Later he claimed
that O'Neal did not dissapoint him at all. The essence of the character of BARRY LYNDON is written all over O'Neal's face - that was a major point in casting him. He absolutely looks his part. KUbrick said he couldn't imagine any other leading
man in the part. Acting is not everything in casting - sure, Nicholson or Hoffman might have give the acting another
direction. But their looks didn't fit the emotional side of the character at all.

I saw the film quiet late as it was hard to catch it in cinemas after  76. And I always was a bit afraid of it, mainly because
of the period in which I don't have too much interest in. And O'Neal... I had all the mediocre films in mind he starred in (minus PAPERMOON of course). I was very surprised how good he was. And how good the film was. A unique film, maybe the only one that captures that period in mood, looks & music. Without any compromises at all. No Hollywood bullshit. Superb film. A real time machine.

[cigar joe]

agreed great film Mike

[Rojo Ramone]

Some people don't like O'neal in this film~not me... Same goes with Nicholson in THE SHINING ,you either love him or hate him, there doesn't seem to be any inbetweens (IMO.)
BARRY LYNDON is one of my favorite films of all time.
It's a shame that BL isn't getting the SE treatment other Kubrick films are getting this fall. Can you imagine this film on Blu Ray or HD?..Wow!