Barry Lyndon (The Criterion Collection) [DVD]

One either loves or hates Stanley Kubrick's films but for one to whom this is his favourite director I can only describe my fondness for the majority of his works of which this ranks among my favourites. For me Kubrick was always a master artist except that painted with the still-picture camera or the moving picture camera. The way he frames his shots makes me feel like I'm at a major art museum watching masterpiece painting after masterpiece painting go by as I sit. I get this feeling throughout all his movies but especially so here in this film which makes this effect even more pronounced with shots that mirror actual paintings that are sometimes shown on the walls of the sets. This film is a masterpiece of lighting and has to rank among the most authentic-looking and hence the best period piece movies ever made and I can't help but feel the movie "Amadeus" also was inspired by this film. Kubrick's films consistently represent the pinnacle of various film genres; anyone ever seen a list of best ever sci-fi films without "2001: A Space Odyssey" or "A Clockwork Orange" on it? How about a best ever comedy film list without "Dr Strangelove" or best horror list without "The Shining" or best gladiator movie without "Spartacus?" "Barry Lyndon" though as his longest film does require patience on the part of the viewer to fully reap the rewards on offer. For me the 185 minutes flew by as I was fully absorbed in taking in the colours and wonderful choices of frames that only a genius like Kubrick can come up with. This Criterion release is a treat for fans as it represents the best version of this film on blu ray that is currently out there; the 1:66 aspect ratio is what Kubrick wanted and the surround sound option is a real plus. Also included is a 44-page glossy colour booklet containing essays on the film. The 2 discs containing the film and the special features are nicely packaged in a slim plastic case and represents yet another great Criterion release. Highly recommended!

The best film by a man who stands among the very highest echelon of American artists. Barry Lyndon is Kubrick's best work . This film does for color cinematography what Citizen Kane did for monochrome. Unlike other Criterion releases, previous releases of Barry Lyndon were never lacking. There is no denial that this is probably the best this masterpiece will ever look. The candlelight shines like the sun though a church window. The blacks are truly black, and there is no image noise even on the best OLED 4k screens. In the correct aspect ratio for the first time, Criterion devoted an entire 2nd disc for the special features so as to fit the nearly uncompressed film on one disc. The features are worth watching, though features and overall packaging is decidely not as interesting or insightful as Dr. Strangelove or even The Killing. The cover art is not exactly original but is pleasing enough. This is no Moonrise Kingdom, but there are some interesting technical details in the accompanying booklet. I cannot decide if the long essay is a parody of the slow pace of the film, but you won't be reading it when the movie hits your screen. Barry Lyndon, like Citizen Kane, is the product of an American polymath at the apex of his artistic and technical skill. It is the best period piece ever filmed. Barry Lyndon is the rare film that dares to defy your attention, with it's exaggerated 18th century courtly pace. It is a 3 hour waltz with an unreliable narrator and in perfect timing to some of the most iconic classical music in the western cannon. Just buy the damn thing.

Excellent 4K of one of Kubrick’s best films.

I had never heard of this movie until recently, but after reading some reviews I thought I would risk buying it, and it being Criterion, it was going to be pricey. The first was damaged unfortunately, but amazon replaced it and the second one arrived in perfect condition. The film is very good and the natural lighting and costumes are outstanding. Some of the costumes are original ones from the time. Incredible. Piano Trio in E - Flat by Franz Schubert is just the icing on the cake to what is now one of my favourite Kubrick movies. A must have for lovers of period movies.

One of the best 4k transfers I have seen. Bought this Criterion addition when it was half price. Contains both the bu-ray and 4K, on separate disk. Lots of extras and a nice booklet. Haven't seen the clarity and great drama of this beautiful movie since seeing it in the movies. A masterful work that should not disappoint anyone, especially Kubrick fans.

...for all the glorious ephemera of a gilded age. Sadly ignored during our Bicentennial Year, which, no doubt, Stan was counting on to help spur interest in his magnificently poetic period piece: During some of the 10 times I viewed BL between January and April 1976 I was practically alone in the theater - not a bad experience, actually. Anyway, those of us who got it then finally now have the transfer that we have been deserving for decades. Clean, subtle colors and gentle contrast; smooth grain (for a pushed 200 ISO) easeled in the full aspect ratio that lovingly presents all this historical fantasia's splendid slow dreamy softness. And the sound is exceptionally improved. Criterion got that part right. But, if you are already a convert, and have seen BL many times already, then, like me, you need to know: WHAT ABOUT THE (way overdue) SPECIAL FEATURES?! Here, as usual, Criterion is rather lackluster. Good stuff: Included booklet with a first rate essay by Geoffrey O'Brien, worthy to be included on The Kubrick Site. Two 1976 articles from American Cinematographer; readily available online, but nice to have in hand again. Also, the only time that DP John Alcott is adequately given his due - barely mentioned in the videos! A quite decent Making Of documentary. Excellent piece with editor Tony Lawson, though it should have been longer. "I have not received satisfaction.": No interview with O'Neal or Berenson. What anecdotes and insights they could have provided! Michael Hordern and his incomparable narration is unjustly minimized. How interesting it would have been to learn more about how those wonderful voice overs were arrived at; Hordern deserves to be considered one of the stars of the film. Disappointing cinematography piece. Should have come with subtitles considering how unintelligible some of the crew are. Simply underwhelming in its lack of technical detail, considering how uniquely important all these aspects were to such a ground breaking work of cinematic art. Michel Ciment ramblingly condescends to explain to us what he thinks that even Kubrick himself probably did not understand about his own creation. Typical Criterion propeller-head. Art curator Adam Eaker likewise clues us in, while managing to confuse a Gainsborough for a Reynolds. Okay, for what it's worth. Hardly anything interesting about the costuming. No doubt I have been spoiled by the gold standard of special features that Peter Jackson and some others provide. But I simply cannot leave without noting that this has been a decidedly UN-Kubrickian aspect, and fault, of practically every single video transfer of Stan's work. Who in the Kubrick Estate is to blame for this shameful lack? In any event, this is the best we will get, until someone someday puts together a truly comprehensive Making of Barry Lyndon documentary (feature length). Then might I obtain satisfaction.

It was great

One of the most wanted/needed titles comes to 4K. To be honest I saw it about 7 times before I loved it. It really grows on you. Funny, tragic, and seemingly miscast until you realize it's genius casting. (I heard Stanley's wife asked for Ryan.) Lovely package by Criterion as always.