Rating: 
Summary: A great film
Review: Filmed entirely w/natural lighting, this is a great movie. It does however, take more than one viewing to fully appreciate it. I recommend buying the soundtrack album as a complement. In fact, the soundtrack is one of the finest instances of just how complementary a score makes a movie a MOVIE. Ryan O'Neal has and never will be noted as a great actor, but he fits the part distinctly. As a reference, you should watch Kubrick's films "The Killing" or "Eyes Wide Shut" to see just how a director's influence over 2nd rate actors/actresses can make them shine.
Rating:
Summary: Great!1
Review: Barry Lyndon was a very good drama. It wasn't Kubrick's best but it was very good. The best I've seen of Ryan O'Neal's movie. This had a very good story! I liked the music. This was a Classic! The drama in this was exellent! For one part it was boring. I liked the duel scene between the son and Barry Lyndon. A good classic!
Rating: 
Summary: Easily Worth A Thousand Viewings
Review: Some people may complain about the slower pacing of "Barry Lyndon". They are missing the point : this film is not about moving from plot point A to plot point B in the most efficient way possible - you want that, go see a Ron Bass movie. "Barry Lyndon", unlike many movies which trip all over themselves to twist the audiences expectations, does take it's time; but it is for the journey that we must embark. Every character, every set, every line of dialogue, every frame has been touched by a craftman unequaled in his lifetime. From the highly detailed production design to the flowery, and at times, comical dialogue Kubrick has created a true vision of life in aristocratic Europe. But instead of celebrating the chivalry and heroism of the period Kubrick peels away the layers of legend to reveal the true nature of kings and generals. He satirically castigating royalty and soldiers alike as petty and decadant rogues, who pay lip service to honor while stealing all they can to support their lifestyle (or "the manner with which they'd become accustomed"). And Barry, being from humble roots, is all too eager to play the game in exchange for a place at the table. The film is both a literary and visual masterpiece. The former is likely due to the abilities of W.M. Thacker who wrote the book upon which the movie was based. Only a novel could be so rich in detail while mantaining it's overall theme. The latter, is all Kubrick - always a visual genius, the man invented a new lens system so he could film the whole thing with natural light. Amazing. At certain points in the movie, you will be wondering if that river or meadow in the background is a matte painting or if, in fact, a place that scenic does indeed exist. I've seen the movie three or four times, I watch key scenes over and over again. To me, it's one of the funniest movies ever made. The fact that Kubrick made it also makes it one of the best.
Rating:
Summary: The best movie I never have seen
Review: How is possible to say that this movie is boring? Who says this expects from a movie to have an easy argument, that is, to be only an understanding story. But this movie doesn't need a plot, Stanley Kubrick makes the most of cinema possibilities to create genuine art; the best music and plasticity together, for example the scene where Barry and lady Lindon 'meet' around the table, the best cinema scene by far I have seen. But, at the same time, this movie shows fellings and manners: love, pride, power relationships, just in the best way in accordance with the period related. I think this is what there is to understand watching this movie. What's Hamlet's plot? Hamlet himself.
Rating:
Summary: Watch it more than once....
Review: I recall seeing Barry Lyndon when it was first released, and having very mixed emotions about it. Visually stunning - an expected strength of a Kubrick film which even the most unsymapthetic viewer couldn't deny - it struck me that one could not have full sympathy for any character in the story, even the protagonist. What I missed originally, and later appreciated (I've watched the film many times now), is that this is in fact the point. Kubrick was impeccably honest in protraying the full spectrum of the civilized corruption of an age of remarkable contradictions. The manners and civility counterpointed by betrayals, base motives, and brutality. The seemingly gleaming and disciplined armies of the Age of Enlightenment, concealing a rotten system and a mindlessly sacrificial way of waging war. Kubrick carefully, meticululously crafts this age, and conveys it to the viewer in a way which makes one feel that a series of beautiful 18th century paintings have been brought to life, revealing the entire story, only hinted at through static art. Assisting this is the voice-over of some of the Thackeray narrative, which is particularly effective at completing and fleshing out selected scenes. It's the resulting fullness and honest balance of the story which unnerves at first, but rewards when less casually considered. To make this all happen, the film is necessarily long, but without a wasted moment. Don't rent or buy this one if you're looking for fluff. And give it another chance if you're not convinced at first. It is a film masterpiece of the first order.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent film about a rogue. Good acting and directing
Review: Stanley Kubrick did an excellent job recreating the 1700's in style, costume and scenery. Ryan O'Neal portrays a rogue excellently and he is captivating in the role of Barry Lyndon who is a dashing and charming "gentleman of distinction". The movie starts when Lyndon is exiled from his home and made to join the British Army, there Lyndon's life story takes various twists and turns. O'Neal and the rest of the cast make this an entertaining movie to watch. Another great movie by the late Stanley Kubrick. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Overrated
Review: This film is overrated--BARRY LYNDON is all style and no substance. I'm glad I rented it first. Three superior costume films: Tony Richardson's TOM JONES, Stephen Frear's DANGEROUS LIASONS and Fred Zinnemann's A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS.
Rating:
Summary: Greatest film of the 1970's
Review: The first time I saw Barry Lyndon the greatness of the film didn't quite sink in. I though "oh, that's nice. good cinematography and authenticity." But later on it began to grow on me. I've watched it five times now and I love this film more than ever. The magestic beauty of every single shot in the film ranks with Remington masterpieces. The authenticity, pacing and brilliant arangement of score create an auditory and visual symphony perfecty coreographed to draw in a careful veiwer. Kubrick always keeps his story the first priority however. Thackery wrote Lyndon as an adventure. But Kubrick moderizes the theme to display the absolute decadedence of an era. Watch the artist at the peak of his career. Barry Lyndon is second only to 2001.
Rating:
Summary: Mesmerizing To Watch
Review: This is a very unusual film for me to write about. I'm not really sure about my feelings for this film. When I watch a movie I like to be able to identify with the characters within the film. I like to be able to understand what they are going through,to be able to feel their happiness and sadness as well. This is one of the many things that movies are capable of being able to do. To have the viewer actually feel for the characters involved. But this film didn't seem to do that. You never really get to know the characters,not even the title character. Instead of feeling as if we are actually "with" the characters,the viewer feels like he's an outside person looking in. We can't identify with anyone. Now,does this mean the movie is bad? I think not. Even though we can't feel for the characters,I found the movie to be intriguing. As your watching the film,you just know that your watching "art". The wonderful sets and costumes really grab your attention. O'Neal's acting doesn't hurt the film either. I do have a problem with Kubrick's screenplay. As I said,I only wish he would of went more inside the characters. As for his directing,well there's a reason he's seen as one of the best,he clearly WAS one of the best. This film should be viewed if only for the sets and costumes,O'Neal's performance,and Kubrick's masterful directing. This is a movie you can appreciate even if you don't enjoy it. And that's very rare.
Rating:
Summary: Exquisite images, damp sound
Review: I haven't read the book. I'd seen the movie several times before ordering the DVD. It's the same utterly beautiful movie you remember, but the sound was a disappointment. I've read elsewhere that Kubrick deliberately avoids stereophonic sound, but if he did this time the reason is beyond me. I found it extremely distracting to hear familiar music coming out of my high-end speakers sounding so dead. Otherwise...The most beautiful woman I've ever, ever seen is Marisa Berenson in this movie, and the clarity of the DVD presents the visual beauty of this film better than ever.
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