Latest Updates - Stanley Kubrick

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Comment by albert:

Note that there are 2 official versions of the film, the USA version at 2hours 26mins, and the trimmed version at 1hour 55mins - cutting out a lot of incidental stuff but losing much of the ominous feel and slow built up of tension.
After Kubrick's death the long version, now referred to as the extended cut, has become widely available on Blu-ray, 4K and some DVDs (I think it was always the version on Region 1 DVDs), and I recommend this as the one to watch.
For artistic reasons Kubrick shot the film full frame, and it is best viewed without any matting. Unfortunately recent transfers present the film 1:85 (or wider) for a more 'cinematic look'.

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Comment by albert:

Note that there are 2 official versions of the film, the USA version at 2hours 26mins, and the trimmed version at 1hour 55mins - cutting out a lot of incidental stuff but losing much of the ominous feel and slow built up of tension.
After Kubrick's death the long version, now referred to as the extended cut, has become widely available on Blu-ray, 4K and some DVDs (I think it was always the version on Region 1 DVDs), and I recommend this as the one to watch.
For artistic reasons Kubrick shot the film full frame, and it is best viewed without any matting. Unfortunately recent transfers present the film 1:85 (or wider) for a more 'cinematic look'.

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Comment by Magic Marmalade:

A study in nobility.

Finally watched this, having found the DVD in the charity shop, having always been somewhat put off by it, based on what I could glean from impressions and reputation...

(It always just seemed a rather bland prospect, of nothing in particular - Kubrick, oddly deciding to do a period piece - quite against what I would expect of him - but therein lies the fascination and intrigue!)

... And it is, of course, all those things I'd heard about it: Sumptuously shot, long (three hours - with Intermission!), and very slow moving. But it is, once you let it go along a while, a film with a point...

(After all, someone like Kubrick wouldn't make a movie of this kind unless there was a reason to do so, would he?!!!)

...And the point (it seems to me), is this: This is a study of a man, with certain inherent qualities, which you might describe as "noble", or gentlemanly, but born to low social status, and is somewhat out of kilter with the plebs and peasants he finds himself dwelling among, so seeks to find his proper place in the world (as he believes it to be) - among the upper "nobility", where the forms and manners to be found there more closely approximate what he feels himself to be: A Gentleman.

The thrust is, as we follow him on this journey to become "noble", is that he must do ignoble things to get there, and in seeking honour, must be increasingly dishonourable.

The portrait painted here is of a man, who once he achieves his aim, he has effectively compromised himself to such an extent, that almost none of that inherent gentlemanliness, honour and true nobility, remains.

The higher he climbs, the worse he gets.

For as this movie shows, "nobility", as with honour, and the condition of being a gentleman, is not something a man can "achieve", acquire, purchase, or can be bestowed, or conferred on someone... It is not a title, but a condition of being, and the substance of one's character.

There are many times Barry (Redmond Barry) Lyndon, displays the polar opposite characteristics almost at the same time, where he does things truly despicable, then almost immediately displays a moment of extraordinary grace, and honour... he is a walking contradiction by the end, with this inner conflict playing out in his contrary behaviour, and in his regard for himself, and others.

The final scene, in this sense, seems to be an analogy for the entire movie - he presents himself to satisfy the honour of another, because of his dishonourable conduct, then does something truly gentlemanly, honourable and indeed, noble.

(It may. also, be him in such despair at himself, that he is presenting himself for his own final destruction, as if this is no more than he deserves.)

The question that lingers after, is has he achieved some kind of redemption.

But although it is long, slow, and all the rest, it is engrossing, fascinating, and very ponderable.

Pleased I've watched it at last, and very much enjoyed it.

Not sure it's as truly great as everyone makes it out to be, or whether that's as much because it has that magical moniker: Kubrick, attached to it. But very very good, nonetheless.