Whenever the discussion of ‘what are the best shot films ever’ crops up. One of the films that is always in the conversation is 1975s Barry Lyndon, directed by Stanley Kubrick with cinematography by John Alcott and it deserves to be in that conversation, every single time. Barry Lyndon is a film that I didn’t see until the early 2000s  on a DVD and it looked stunning then. So it was a huge treat for me to finally see this period masterpiece on a 4K UHD courtesy of Warner Bros Discovery Entertainment. Barry Lyndon was previously available on bluray but if you want to see the film in your home the best way possible. Then 4K UHD is the way to go.  Unfortunately there are no extras on the set which is a shame, but understandable given that the film is visually incredible in 4K and also runs for over three hours. Also Stanley Kubrick films aren’t really special feature packed when it comes to home release so that’s a tiny ‘gripe’ The film is enough for this release and is worth every pound you pay for it. 

The film stars Ryan O’Neal as Barry and Marisa Berenson as Honoria as we follow Barry’s life (and the people he encounters) through several years as he starts of as an ‘Irish rogue’ and ends up being an ‘English Aristocrat’ but that is a small drop in the story ocean of this epic three hour, five minute Kubrick masterpiece.

For this ravishing winner of 4 Academy Awards (Best Cinematography Best Costume Design, Best Art Direction, and Best Music), Stanley Kubrick found inspiration in the works of the era’s painters and wanted to design many of the shots to look like those paintings and boy did he pull it off!. Costumes and sets were crafted in the era’s designs and pioneering lenses were developed to shoot interiors and exteriors in natural light (including candlelight)  The result is a cutting-edge movie that still looks breathtaking 50 years later) , The film is beautifully scored and acted, bringing a historical period to vivid screen life like no other film before or since. The film looks absolutely stunning in the new 4K restoration and I cant wait to check this film out on my home wall projector. 

Every frame in Barry Lyndon is composed with extraordinary care. Stanley frequently employs long, slow camera zooms that draw the audience deeper into the meticulously arranged scenes and sweeping landscapes stretch across the screen like painted canvases. The deliberate pacing (and we know from legend that Kubrick loved his deliberate takes) allows the audience to truly see these details and in 4K they are breathtaking. 

So if you are a full on cinephile and want to see one of the best films ever shot in the best restoration possible. Then you just have to check out this 4K of one of Kubrick’s best films (and that’s a high benchmark) 

On paper, a film that’s over three hours long, isn’t an action film, and it set in the 1700s’ doesn’t sound like my type of film, but every time I’ve seen Barry Lyndon over the years ive always been blown away by just how good this film is. Let it win you over! Treat yourself. 

4K UHD MAIN FEATURE
2160p Ultra High Definition 16×9 1.66
DTS-HD Master Audio: English 5.1, Castilian Spanish 5.1, German 5.1, Italian 5.1, Parisian French 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH, German SDH, Italian SDH, Castilian Spanish, Complex Chinese, Dutch, Parisian French

BLU-RAY MAIN FEATURE
1080p High Definition 1:1.78, 5.1
DTS-HD Master Audio: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian
Subtitles: English, German, Italian