Brideshead Revisited, Books 1-6 (1982)

Fill a bowl with alpine strawberries, break out the Château Lafite (1899, of course), and bask in this benchmark 1981 British miniseries based on Evelyn Waugh's classic novel. Adapted for the screen by John Mortimer (Rumpole of the Bailey), this impeccable, nearly 11-hour production mesmerized American viewers during the course of its PBS run in 1982. In his breakthrough role, Jeremy Irons stars as Charles Ryder, a disillusioned Army captain who is moved to reflect on his "languid days" in the "enchanted castle" that was Brideshead, home of the aristocratic Marchmain family, whose acquaintance Charles made in the company of an Oxford classmate, the charming wild child Sebastian. Anthony Andrews costars as the doomed Sebastian, whose beauty is "arresting" and "whose eccentricities and behavior seemed to know no bounds." The "entitled and enchanted" Sebastian takes Charles under his wing ("Charles, what a lot you have to learn"), but vows early on that he is "not going to let [Charles] get mixed up with [his] family." But mixed up Charles gets. He becomes a friend and confidante, not to mention a lover, to Sebastian's sister Julia (Diana Quick). Meanwhile, the self-destructive Sebastian's life spirals out of control. Brideshead Revisited boasts a distinguished ensemble, including Laurence Olivier in his Emmy Award-winning role as the exiled Lord Marchmain, Claire Bloom as Lady Marchmain, and the magnificent John Gielgud as Charles's estranged father. Grand locations and a haunting musical score make this a memorable revisit of an irretrievable bygone era. For those who scheduled their weeks around the original Monday-night broadcasts or those visiting Brideshead for the first time, this boxed set release will be, as Charles rhapsodizes at one point while strolling the castle grounds, "very near to heaven." --Donald Liebenson

Stills from Brideshead Revisited (click for larger image)

Beyond Brideshead Revisited

The Novel

The Original Score (Soundtrack to the Movie)

The Movie in Theaters Now

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ALTERNATIVE EVELYN WAUGH

I didn't see that TV show and I don't find any interest in the principle
of the thing. As british TV shows are usually first released as DVDs in
America, I wish for the release of SCOOP, a London Weekend Television production (the week end branch of ITV)of 1986, a VIDEO COLLECTION VHS in 1990. This 120 minutes teleplay was directed by Gavin Millar, scripted by Wlliam Boyd, played by Denholm Elliott, Michael Hordern, Michael Maloney, Herbert Lom and Donald Pleasence. Does that make your mouth water?
It was very funny too, quite worthy of the novel.

November 5, 2008

Brideshead Revisited

Excellent addition to any DVD library. Evelyn Waugh is a brilliant writer. This series is true to his book. October 21, 2008

Brideshead Revisited.

Brideshead Revisited on PBS was the initial drama that introduced Jeremy Irons to the USA. What a wonderful, touching story. Excellent acting and the screenplay was superior. I will watch it over and over again. Thank you PBS and Granada for taking such loving care in presenting this masterpiece. October 19, 2008

MINI-SERIES: THE GOLD STANDARD

"Brideshead Revisited" set the gold standard for TV mini-series. It is without peer in all aspects, except technical. Writing, acting, direction are all first rate. This drama is utterly compelling from beginning to end. The only complaint I have is that its technical aspects, which were standard at the time of its production, 1981, are deficient today. The 16mm format is obsolete as a production standard now, and it's a real pity the originals for "Brideshead Revisited" do not survive in better condition. In spite of that, this series is not to be missed. The restoration on view here is the best possible, so go for it. It will cost you less than a bottle of Dom Perignon, and will last a lot longer. Cheers! October 13, 2008

Great series

This purchase was made to replace the VHS version I made from cable twenty years ago.
It offers all I was looking for, i.e. a great series on a friendlier format. October 9, 2008

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