Barry Lyndon
Movie, 1975, The '70s, Set in 18th-century Europe
Barry Lyndon is #10 of 13 in release order and #10 of 13 in chronological order in the Stanley Kubrick.
The story
An Irish rogue uses his cunning and wit to work his way up the social classes of 18th century England, transforming himself from the humble Redmond Barry into the noble Barry Lyndon.
Barry Lyndon recap
Barry Lyndon (1975) charts the rise and fall of Redmond Barry, an Irish adventurer who cheats and marries his way into the English aristocracy. Stanley Kubrick adapted William Makepeace Thackeray's novel, shooting many interiors by candlelight. Ryan O'Neal plays Barry, who in 1750s Ireland duels a British officer over his cousin Nora, flees believing he killed him, and enlists. He fights in the Seven Years' War, deserts, is pressed into the Prussian army and becomes a police spy on the Chevalier de Balibari (Patrick Magee), a gambler he joins instead. Touring Europe as a card cheat, he seduces the wealthy Lady Lyndon (Marisa Berenson), whose sickly husband dies soon after. In the second half, Barry squanders her fortune, cheats on her and abuses her son, Lord Bullingdon (Leon Vitali), while doting on their own boy, Bryan. Michael Hordern narrates. Barry Lyndon falls between A Clockwork Orange and The Shining in Kubrick's career.
Barry Lyndon ending explained
Barry Lyndon ends with Barry crippled and exiled. Bryan dies after a fall from a horse Barry gave him, and Lady Lyndon attempts suicide. Bullingdon returns and challenges Barry to a duel. Bullingdon misfires, Barry fires into the ground, and Bullingdon shoots him in the leg, which is amputated. Bullingdon takes over the estate and pays Barry an annuity to leave England for good. Barry goes back to gambling on the Continent. An epilogue shows Lady Lyndon signing his annuity in 1789. The film won four Oscars, including for cinematography.
Post-credits scenes
No. Barry Lyndon has no mid- or post-credits scene.
Where to watch Barry Lyndon
Barry Lyndon is streaming on YouTube (free) in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 8.1/10, Rotten Tomatoes 78%
Where it fits
- Release order: after A Clockwork Orange, before The Shining.
- Chronological order: after A Clockwork Orange, before The Shining.
Cast
- Ryan O'Neal as Barry Lyndon
- Marisa Berenson as Lady Lyndon
- Patrick Magee as The Chevalier
- Hardy Krüger as Captain Potzdorf
- Steven Berkoff as Lord Ludd
- Gay Hamilton as Nora
- Marie Kean as Barry's Mother
- Diana Körner as German Girl
- Murray Melvin as Reverend Runt
- Frank Middlemass as Sir Charles Lyndon
- Leon Vitali as Lord Bullingdon
- Arthur O'Sullivan as Highwayman
Directed by Stanley Kubrick.