Six: Barry Lyndon

Director: Stanley Kubrick
Year: 1975
Cast: Ryan O’Neal, Marisa Berenson, Patrick Magee, Leon Vitali

Barry Lyndon, is a fascinating journey of one man’s quest of success and fortune. It is tale which tells us that there is very little difference between good and bad. That thin line which one unknowingly crosses. This is where your desire becomes more than the decision between right and wrong.

Stanley Kubrick, took William Makepeace Thackeray’s picaresque novel and turned into a beautiful movie. Though movie wasn’t very successful when it was released and nor the critics in those times were very enthusiastic but it has prevailed and won over time.



A picaresque novel is a sub-genre of fiction where the story normally humorous and satirical and tells an adventurous story of a hero mainly form a low class strata of society. This form came into existence in European literature through 16th century Spanish writing but was mostly inspired from Arabic literature of Al-Andalus era. Though, you can even find this kind of writings in ancient Roman and Indian dramas.

Kubrick shot this movie with camera which could capture natural light, for that he had to research and develop techniques based on methods used by NASA space flights. The impact is breathtaking, even the shots where only candle light has been used it looks as if you are in a room with candles lit around you. Some places the use of sunlight makes you feel as if you are in a painting of an old master, here the sunlight is playing tricks on you in colours which you have never seen them in.
Most shots were captured in natural light and in some cases even where artificial is used it is only to mimic natural one. The cinematography is breathtaking and it won many awards for it.

The storyline of the movie is basically divided into two parts and the narration from a neutral follower tells you what you are about to see very much in advance.

The movie starts with Barry, young man totally in love with his cousin is tricked into leaving his village so that she can marry a man of some fortune and with this betrayal in mind Barry is thrown to the wolfs of the world. Here misfortune after misfortune falls on to him. He is first stripped out of every penny that he is carrying by the duo of father and son who are bandits. He then joins the seven year war as a soldier. Not able to cope up with the demands and hardship of the service, he deserts and tries to run away only to be caught by Prussian captain and recruited into their ranks. In amongst men of the lowest standard he learns all kinds of trades and ways of life. Fortune now throws him into the hands of Chevalier de Balibari. They both combined to loot and swindle the biggies of courts across Europe. Now he is in a society in which he didn’t belong. Here he looks for someone he could marry and then lead a life of luxury. His fortune comes by when he encounters a beautiful woman of wealth whose husband is about to die and as soon as Sir Charles Lyndon dies, Barry pounces on the lady and adopts the name of Barry Lyndon.

The second part of the movie tells the decline of Barry Lyndon, his adulteries, his cruelty towards his wife and son, his mother’s conspiracies and he blowing the Lyndon fortune out to gain respect. This culminates into a gun fight with his stepson.

Though at this juncture he shows a sign of chivalry which the age of chivalry was known for but it is too little too late. His stepson has too much hatred for him to leave him unhurt. He loses his leg and is thrown out of England.



The movie starts with the audience liking the character of Redmond Barry, they then dislike him. They further dislike to the point of hate the character of Barry Lyndon which he has turned into and yet at the end they seem to have a pang of guilt for disliking him. He seems all too real and close to the person next door. You feel that fate has been cruel to him and go away with a little discomfort.


The movie itself varies on various fronts when compared to the novel. The novel is funny and has humorous touch to it, the movie is serious. The novel is projected from Barry’s own account and hence it has narcissistic or at least over glorification feel to it. The movie on the other hand is portrayed from an omniscient and neutral view. Of course there are a few changes in the storyline to as for example the ending scene with the gunfight or Chevalier de Balibari turning out to be his uncle in the novel. However taking out the whole, Barry trying to recover his family fortune from Lyndons has given the story a more tragic feel and that makes Barry, more of an antihero in the character.

My Favourite Quotes:

1. It would require a great philosopher and historian to explain the causes of famous seven years war in which Europe was engaged, in which Barry’s regiment was on its way to take part. It is suffice to say that England and Prussia were allies and were at war against French, Swedes, Russians and the Austrians. (Narrator: When describing the war)
2. It is well to dream of glorious war in snug arm chair at home but it is very different thing to see it first hand. (Narrator)
3. Gentleman may talk of the age of chivalry but remember the ploughman, poachers and pick pockets that they lead. It is with these instruments that your great warriors and kings have been doing their murderous work in the world. (Narrator: During the villages being burnt by soldiers)
4. Those who have not been out of country know very little what is to hear a friendly voice in captivity. (Narrator when Barry and Balibari meet for the first time.)
5. Thenceforth, Redmond Barry acquired the style and title of Barry Lyndon
6. Lady Lyndon: Lord Bullingdon, you have insulted your father. Lord Bullingdon: Madam, it is you who has insulted my father. (Young Lord Bullingdon replying when he is asked to kiss his new father, ‘Barry’)
7. King: Good, that’s right Mr. Lyndon, raise another company and go with them too. (When Barry meets the king and )


My Favourite Scenes:
1. When everyone in the village is looking at the force being created for the war. The scenery is breathtaking.
2. The scene in which the two men loot Barry. They do it in such a sophisticated way.
3. When Barry meets Chevalier de Balibari and how the friendly voice and tongue has an effect on both.
4. The scene where Sir Charles Lyndon accuses Barry of trying to seduce his wife.
5. The carriage ride after the marriage and his sudden arrogance in believing that he has arrived.
6. The scene where Barry beats up his stepson.
7. The look on Barry’s face when ultimately he is told of his final fate.

Disappointments:
1. At some places the characters seem to act a little differently than a normal behaviour, but I guess that is a writer’s discretion.
2. The ending, I hope that it was a little more explanative of Barry’s life.
3. Chevalier de Balibari, disappears from the movie suddenly, the person who played such an important part in the protagonist’s life has no clear exit.
4. Too much beauty sometimes takes away the attention from the characters.