Barry Lyndon

Even though one might think this would be incredibly dull, something Kubrick couldn't even accidentally direct, the Master once again proves that even this is a film that captivates. Even though it's not action-packed, you'll still be tense, whether because it's entertaining, dark, intimate, or sometimes just sexy, in its own way. Those three hours gonna fly by fast. (03/02/2015)

An epic tale that follows the life of Redmond Barry, who became Barry Lyndon, I loved it in every way, but I'd highlight the engaging cinematography, the great period music, and the impeccable costumes and hairstyles. But the actors didn't slack off either. Ryan O'Neal's performance in particular is stunning. It's incredible how a long and, above all, stable and sensible story can be told in a three-hour running time. And master Stanley Kubrick managed to do it with panache. In short, a film with everything, offering the audience a whole range of genres. (03/19/2011)

Fully appreciated after a second viewing (and in the restored version in the cinema). I still feel that I would have to watch it at least twice more to clarify my uncritical enthusiasm and to come up with better superlatives than "Kubrick was just different", but I can say that you probably won't find a more beautifully filmed biography in any film archive. Kubrick not only paints the screen better than Bertolucci, but above all, with a clever helping of amusingly ironic commentary, he narrates with complete mastery, elevating a three-hour personal portrait to the highest cinematic art with every thoughtful cut or musical accompaniment, like a bubble in a spirit level maintaining the demanding rhythm of the narration. While the first two thirds are unmatched for their quicker changes of location and major twists, the final family section is not lacking in stunning formal precision, and its thoughtful denouement surpasses even the similarly paced conclusion of Gone with the Wind. And once again, I have to marvel at how fantastic the film looks and how superbly it orchestrates everything on the mise-en-scène, so that the camera mostly just needs slow zooms or horizontal runs – for example, in the card scene, it's fascinating that only one character ever looks up from the table while the others have their eyes downcast. And the icing on the cake is the excellent performance of Ryan O'Neal. Yeah, Kubrick was just different. (05/10/2018)

Sometimes you're down, sometimes you're up. This saying perfectly captures the life adventures of Redmond Barry, who, starting as a poor Irish peasant, manages to ascend to the position of a noble title owner and a welcomed visitor in the households of the highest social circles. However, the means he chooses for his ascent are not exactly kosher, and hence the change of name and identity comes in handy. It is often said that you reap what you sow. Stanley Kubrick was known for his precision bordering on obsession and megalomania. He meticulously cared for every detail, had costumes and accessories made according to historical sketches, and selected locations carefully, and from the perspective of a fan of the historical genre, it is hard to find fault with him. In the case of Barry Lyndon, perhaps more so than in other Kubrick films, his ability to create visually stunning images with perfect color execution and composition shines. The panoramic shots of landscapes, estates, army camps, and battles are a feast for the eyes, just as the viewer's ears are pleased by the precise selection of music from different genres that characterizes various social environments and creates the mood. Barry Lyndon signifies the same for capturing the atmosphere of the second half of the 18th century as Amadeus does for the Rococo period and Marketa Lazarová does for the early Middle Ages. Overall impression: 95%. (08/06/2018)

A slowly unfolding, utterly unpredictable, and almost intimate story of one man who greatly influenced the fates of many people. Stanley Kubrick presents his most magnificent work cautiously, perhaps somewhat unevenly, but every scene, even the smallest, has its justification in the final outcome. What's more, he chose the perfect actor, Ryan O'Neal, for the main role, who showcases his acting skills the most in gradually escalating scenes of a card game or an interrupted concert. The narrator, however, remains a flaw, for while he fills in the gaps nicely, his guiding speeches hinder the tension of the events that unfold. (04/20/2006)