Watch Barry Lyndon

Barry Lyndon is a 1975 period drama film directed by Stanley Kubrick and based on the novel "The Luck of Barry Lyndon" by William Makepeace Thackeray. The movie stars Ryan O'Neal as the titular character, Marisa Berenson as Lady Lyndon, and Patrick Magee as The Chevalier de Balibari. The film is set in the 18th century and follows the life of Redmond Barry (later Barry Lyndon), an Irish adventurer who climbs the social ladder to become a wealthy gentleman. The movie is presented in the form of a narrative voiceover, which provides insight into the thoughts and motivations of the characters.

The movie opens with a young Redmond Barry, raised in Ireland, fighting a duel over the affections of his cousin. After losing the duel, he flees to Dublin, where he becomes involved in a series of escapades, eventually leading him to join the British Army in the Seven Years' War.

In the army, he befriends a high-ranking officer who dies in battle, leaving him with a valuable watch and ring. Redmond uses the items to start a new life, but he is soon robbed by a notorious highwayman, who takes both the watch and ring. Desperate for money, Redmond joins a troupe of traveling players, where he meets the beautiful Lady Lyndon and her wealthy and elderly husband.

Through a series of circumstances, Redmond is able to ingratiate himself into the household of Lady Lyndon, becoming her confidant and eventually her lover. After the death of her husband, Redmond marries Lady Lyndon, and assumes her late husband's estate and title of Lord Lyndon.

The newlyweds have a son, Bryan, but their happiness is short-lived. Lady Lyndon is unable to cope with the loss of her first husband and becomes bitter and depressed, leading to a series of events that ultimately lead to their estrangement.

Redmond's luck begins to run out as he begins to make foolish decisions, leading to his financial ruin and social downfall. The Chevalier de Balibari, a former friend of Redmond's, returns to the story and blackmails him, threatening to reveal his past as a highwayman and the circumstances surrounding his rise to power.

Throughout the film, the director makes use of stark visual contrasts and anachronistic classical music to create a unique and immersive atmosphere. The film's pacing is deliberate and slow, with long takes and lingering shots that emphasize the beauty of the landscapes and the costuming.

At its core, Barry Lyndon is a story about ambition, wealth, and power, and the cost of achieving these things. Redmond's journey from humble beginnings to great wealth shows the lengths that some people will go to in order to achieve success, and the personal sacrifices that often come with it.

Overall, Barry Lyndon is a cinematic masterpiece that deserves recognition for its stunning visuals, unique narrative structure, and superb performances from its cast. The film is a testament to Kubrick's ability to create unforgettable stories that resonate with audiences long after the credits have rolled.

Barry Lyndon is a 1975 drama with a runtime of 3 hours and 5 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.1 and a MetaScore of 89.