Barry Lyndon

Barry Lyndon is a 1975 historical drama film written, directed and produced by Stanley Kubrick, based on William Makepeace Thackeray’s 1844 novel *The Luck of Barry Lyndon*.

Barry Lyndon is a 1975 historical drama film written, directed and produced by Stanley Kubrick, based on William Makepeace Thackeray’s 1844 novel *The Luck of Barry Lyndon*. It stars Ryan O'Neal and Marisa Berenson and follows an ambitious Irish rogue who rises into aristocratic society and then declines. The film is widely noted for its period detail and cinematography.

Plot

The film tracks Redmond Barry from Ireland through military service, gambling and social climbing, as he reinvents himself as Barry Lyndon and marries into wealth. His rise is followed by personal and social ruin.

Production

Kubrick adapted the work from Thackeray’s novel and emphasized historical detail in costumes, sets and lighting. The film’s visual style has been especially associated with use of natural and candlelight.

Release and reception

Barry Lyndon was released in 1975 and received strong critical attention for its visual beauty and formal control, though some viewers have found it slow-paced. It remains one of Kubrick’s most discussed films.

Awards

At the 48th Academy Awards, the film received seven nominations and won four Oscars, including awards for cinematography, art direction, costume design and adapted scoring.