Brideshead Revisited: The Complete Collection (30th Anniversary Remastered Edition) [DVD] [1981]

This film-version of Evelyn Waugh's magnum opus has always been the gold standard adaptation of the grand old man's novel. How could it be otherwise, with the screenplay written by his admirer, the witty and urbane John Mortimer? There is enough depth of character development in this novel to satisfy the most ardent student of psychology. The actual catalogue of events is rather sparse, serving only to act as backgrounds for the psychological drama which unfolds in the novel. The setting could equally be on a stage, so tightly does it subserve the narrative. Evelyn Waugh mostly shrank from over-developing the psychology of his subjects in most of his popularist novels, prefering to make his subjects interact sketchily via a series of "sound-bites", rather as an eavesdropper would take snatches of half-heard, "through the keyhole" conversations, and develop a world of inference and meaning from them. In this way, the reader is left to his own understanding of the psychology of the characters."Brideshead Revisited" stands alone in Waugh's bibliography, in its careful painting of the inverted, dysfunctional Marchmain family and its bunch of satellite personalities, as revealed by the continual narrative provided by Charles Ryder, who is Lord Sebastion Flyte's (strictly closetted) lover. He, sadly, eventually leaves Flyte to his fate. This is done by a pusillanimous transference of his affections from Sebastion to various members of the Marchmain family, ending with final transference of his affections to Sebastian's sister, Lady Julia, long after Sebastian's alcoholism and thwarted attempts to establish an open 'menage' with Ryder have failed due to the fear of open acknowledgement of his homosexuality by his fundamentalist, controlling mother, Lady Marchmain. The portrayal of her emotional coldness and lack of self-awareness, underpinned by her castrating use of the "double-bind" is a tour-de-force by Claire Bloom.Ryder does not come out well in the novel, being portrayed as a foppish, "fair-weather" friend of Sebastian, abandoning him to the controlling manipulations of his bigoted mother. Ryder's own mother had been killed in his childhood, and he had been brought up by an eccentric, distant, passive-aggressive, father (played with supreme conviction by John Gielgud, in one of the best roles he ever played.) This left Ryder searching for a loving, stable family for himself, and it is tempting to believe that he calculatingly targeted Sebastian, perceiving him to be more needy than Ryder was. Ryder actually comes across as a co-dependent sociopath, which explains how easy it was for him to walk away from Sebastian at the time of the latter's deepest distress, as a reaction to Sebastian transferring his need for Ryder to the need for a whisky glass. Ryder's use of the slogan "you and I contra mundum", can be seen as a snooty charm to entice Sebastian into an exclusive club of (alcoholic) camaraderie in order to disengage from a world which they perceived as cruel. Both felt misunderstood and unwanted by their familes; both reinforced these feelings in the other, in order to perpetuate the conditions of their co-dependence.This film-adaptation, in common with all others of its quality, repays the viewer with deeper insights upon repeated viewing. Did you realize, first time round, that Ryder eventually became a Catholic? How else do you explain his genuflection and self-benediction as he kneels, in his Captain's uniform, before the sacrament reserved in Brideshead's chapel, and his saying "with newly-learned form of words" (i.e. prayers)? Also, did you realize that when Cordelia describes Sebastian as being 'holy', on her return from Franco's civil war, that her insights into his soul, with her insight into God's special love of Sebastian's type of person, actually reveal her own sainthood "to those who have ears to hear"? There are many other revelations in this novel, which will appear to the viewer only after careful review, which are the fruits of Evelyn Waugh's own love of Catholic theology, gained after years in the practice of the faith into which he converted due to the influence of the Oxford Movement on his religious formation.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Fabulously adapted from Evelyn Waugh's novel by John Mortimer, this ITV odyssey is a champagne and caviar moment for television drama. Made in the early 1980's with an astronomical budget of ten million pounds, taking almost two years to complete and lasting thirteen hours on the screen, Brideshead Revisited is a sight to behold. It has stood the test of time incredibly well, and this new digitally remastered version is a vast improvement on the original picture quality.Set in the years between the Great War and The Second World War, this production develops two of Waugh's key themes: love in all it's forms and the defining role of religion in upper class English society. The rights and wrongs of personal human decisions are weighed against the scriptures of the Catholic faith, with surprising and defining consequences.Jeremy Irons plays the role of a lifetime with his wonderful portrayal of the winding life journey of Charles Ryder. Irons narrates throughout the production, and it is from his perspective that the drama almost always unfolds. Anthony Andrews plays Sebastian Flyte - the close friend of Charles - in a highly memorable performance overflowing with agonies, addictions and paranoia. The sultry Diana Quick is captivating as Julia Flyte, battling with strong religious beliefs and decisions in her personal life throughout. Nickolas Grace is wildly amusing in his flamboyant portrayal of Anthony Blanche.These relative newcomers to acting combined wondrously with screen legends to make Waugh's pages flow from the screen. The legendary Laurence Olivier is engaging as the self-opinionated Lord Marchmain, and the distinguished John Gielgud brings bundles of irony as Edward Ryder. The ever alluring Claire Bloom plays Lady Marchmain with strength and a touch of humanity. These iconic actors portray their upper class English characters astonishingly well - this is an all-star cast firing on all cylinders.Over forty per cent of the scenes were filmed at Castle Howard - the fictional home of Brideshead Manor. This magnificent building and it's gardens bring the production alive with luxurious and opulent imagery. The quaint and magical spires and turrets of Oxford's historic buildings make an atmospheric setting for early parts of the story. This globe-trotting adventure also has dramatic scenes set in London, Venice, Mexico, Central America, New York, Paris, Morocco and the Atlantic Ocean.You really feel close to the action. The never-ending violent storm on the Atlantic Ocean while Charles and Julia are deepening their relationship is so windswept and topsy-turvy that viewers may feel a touch of sea-sickness themselves! And during the hunting party at Brideshead Manor, you can almost smell the leather of the horses saddles, and touch the glossy coats of the fast-moving beagle hunting dogs.The extras section is very interesting - interviews with Jeremy Irons and Anthony Andrews, as well as a round table discussion led by Kirsty Wark with the director, some of the actors and the costume designer. The amusing goings on at Castle Howard during filming are alluded to. Furthermore, detailed commentaries throughout the episodes provide perspective and depth.It is difficult to think of any other production of Waugh's novel reaching the heights of this ITV adaptation. The 2008 movie version written by Jeremy Brock and Andrew Davies is a poor copy of the wonderful ITV production. It has and will continue to stand the test of time, and like a fine wine may even get better with age.