A glimpse of the 18th century as seen through the eyes of a 20th century Master.

Rating: Null/10 (6 July 2003)

Whenever I watch movie documentaries I always end up compiling lists of what to see or I'm reminded of certain films and I re-watch the movie to refresh my memory of it. Such is the case with "Barry Lyndon". What a beautiful piece of filmmaking. I can see why it won Oscars for cinematography, art direction and costume (as well as musical adaptation). I agree with others who have said that "Barry Lyndon" is like an 18th century painting that has come to life. Although it is a bit slow at times, I was completely engrossed in the story and the setting. The cinematography is outstanding! Each frame is a painting that can be considered a mini-masterpiece. Those interior shots are unforgettable and (I believe) unmatched to this day. There's a timeliness to it that pulls the viewer deeper into the story. The costumes are a delight and as a fashion history buff, I was mesmerized by the sumptuous materials and styles. I loved the music and as is the case with a lot of Kubrick films, classical music is used to "amplify" an emotion or scene. To this day, when I hear Strauss, I think of "2001: A Space Odyssey". It is a shame that "Barry Lyndon" was considered a flop. Fortunately for film buffs like us, it will always be regarded as one of Kubrick's best.