Buzz
Stanley Kubrick is widely celebrated as one of America’s most iconic filmmakers, renowned for masterpieces like 2001: A Space Odyssey, Full Metal Jacket, Dr. Strangelove, A Clockwork Orange, and The Shining. However, amidst the fervent discussions and vivid recollections of these classics, Barry Lyndon often fades into the background. Yet, like all of Kubrick’s works, it stands apart—a meticulously crafted historical drama that continues to captivate film enthusiasts and gain admiration with each passing year.
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the film, here are 11 fascinating details about Barry Lyndon.
1. THE FILM ORIGINATED FROM STANLEY KUBRICK’S AMBITION TO ADAPT VANITY FAIR.
Kubrick had always admired William Makepeace Thackeray and once contemplated adapting his magnum opus, Vanity Fair, into a film. However, he concluded that the story couldn’t be effectively condensed into the limited runtime of a movie and shelved the project. Years later, while working on Barry Lyndon, he finally discovered the Thackeray novel he felt was perfect for the screen.
2. KUBRICK’S FASCINATION WITH NAPOLEON PROVED USEFUL.
Kubrick spent much of his career dreaming of creating a film about Napoleon Bonaparte, a historical figure who captivated him. Though the project never materialized, the extensive research he conducted on Napoleon’s era greatly contributed to the historical precision he achieved in Barry Lyndon.
3. KUBRICK KEPT DETAILS UNDER WRAPS TO AVOID MEDIA ATTENTION.
Coming off the controversy surrounding A Clockwork Orange, Kubrick was determined to keep his next project, Barry Lyndon, out of the spotlight. He shared minimal information with the press, revealing only the cast. Even Marisa Berenson, who portrayed Lady Lyndon, was given limited details—she was informed the film was set in the 18th century and advised to avoid sunlight to maintain the pale skin tone appropriate for the era.
4. THE VISUAL STYLE OF THE FILM WAS DEEPLY INFLUENCED BY 17TH-CENTURY ART.
To recreate the intricate compositions of the 17th century, Kubrick and cinematographer John Alcott drew inspiration from the works of renowned painters of the era, including Jean-Antoine Watteau, Thomas Gainsborough, and William Hogarth.
5. KUBRICK’S DEDICATION TO AUTHENTICITY LED HIM TO USE GENUINE 18TH-CENTURY GARMENTS.
Kubrick’s reputation for meticulous attention to detail is unparalleled, and Barry Lyndon exemplifies this perfectly. Beyond extensive research and artistic study to capture the era’s essence, he procured authentic 18th-century clothing from museums, ensuring even the background actors were impeccably dressed.
6. KUBRICK ACQUIRED SPECIALIZED LENSES TO CAPTURE CANDLELIT SCENES.
While most period dramas simulate candle and oil lamp lighting with modern rigs, Barry Lyndon took a different approach. Kubrick and Alcott minimized electric lighting, even acquiring NASA-designed lenses that were custom-fitted to cameras. These ultra-sensitive lenses captured scenes illuminated solely by candlelight, resulting in a visual style unmatched by any other film.
7. THE PRODUCTION FACED A GRUELINGLY LONG SHOOT (PARTLY DUE TO THE CANDLES).
Reflecting on the film, Ryan O’Neal (Barry Lyndon) noted the shoot lasted “around 350 days”, far exceeding the typical 90-day schedule. This extended timeline wasn’t solely due to Kubrick’s perfectionism. Co-star Leon Vitali (Lord Bullingdon) explained that Kubrick avoided pre-planning shots, instead observing actors and crafting scenes organically. This meant repeating scenes 10 to 30 times as Kubrick experimented with lenses and angles. Additionally, the authentic candlelight caused delays, as candles had to be replaced after burning down.
“If a take didn’t work, we had to extinguish all the candles and start over with fresh ones,” O’Neal recalled. “Each candle had three wicks, which made blowing them out quite a challenge!”
8. THE FILM’S CASTING SPARKED A LASTING PROFESSIONAL PARTNERSHIP.
When Leon Vitali landed the role of the older Lord Bullingdon in Barry Lyndon, he likely didn’t anticipate a lifelong collaboration with Kubrick. By the time The Shining was in production, Vitali had become Kubrick’s personal assistant, a role he maintained for the director’s final two films, Full Metal Jacket and Eyes Wide Shut (he also served as casting director for both). Even after Kubrick’s passing in 1999, Vitali remained dedicated, overseeing the restoration of the director’s films for DVD releases.
9. THE FILM INCLUDES A CAMEO BY A MEMBER OF THE KUBRICK FAMILY.
Vivian Kubrick, the director’s daughter, who later created the iconic behind-the-scenes documentary for The Shining, makes an appearance in the magic show sequence.
10. KUBRICK WAS SO DETAIL-ORIENTED THAT HE PROVIDED PROJECTIONISTS WITH GUIDELINES.
Kubrick’s obsession with perfection extended beyond filming. To ensure audiences experienced Barry Lyndon as intended, he sent detailed instructions to projectionists in 1975, specifying aspect ratios, lighting levels, and even the music to be played during intermission.
11. IT RANKS AMONG KUBRICK’S MOST HONORED WORKS.
Following the triumphs of 2001: A Space Odyssey and A Clockwork Orange, Warner Bros. gave Kubrick free rein for his next project. However, Barry Lyndon fell short commercially. Despite this, the film garnered significant praise, tying with Spartacus as Kubrick’s most Oscar-winning film, with four awards (Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Costume Design, Best Cinematography, and Best Musical Score). In recent years, it has experienced a critical revival, earning spots on both the Village Voice’s 100 Best Films of the 20th Century and TIME’s 100 Best Films Since 1923 lists.
