Brideshead Revisited [Region 2] | ![Brideshead Revisited [Region 2]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/511N8ZWFCJL._SL500_.jpg)
| Actors: Jeremy Irons, Diana Quick, Roger Milner, Phoebe Nicholls, Simon Jones
Category: DVD
Buy New: $49.98
Rating:  114 reviews
Sales Rank: 88098
Format: Pal
Language: English (Original Language)
Region: 2
Discs: 2
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.6 x 0.9
EAN: 5014138504809
ASIN: B00006LSFX
Theatrical Release Date: January 18, 1982
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Amazon.com
Fill a bowl with alpine strawberries, break out the Chateau 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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| Customer Reviews: Read 109 more reviews...
 Yearning For An England That Is No More July 5, 2009
prisrob (New EnglandUSA)
I did a revisit of 'Brideshead Revisited', the BBC 11 episode film that made television history. How many of us on Sunday evening sat mesmerized by Masterpiece Theatre of this amazing series? Visiting 25 years later, I found the same marvelous setting of lushness, depravity, religious fervor and fascinating figures of long ago. The film holds up well, the color beautiful and the story can be told over and over again.
'Brideshead Revisited' gives me a yearning for an England that is no more. On he eve of World War II,Charles Ryder, played by Jeremy Irons, is the narrator of the series. He is in the English Army and returns unexpectedly to Brideshead. He tells, in flashback style, the story of his time at the home and with the family. Charles starts the story with his first day at Oxford and his meeting with Sebastian Flyte, played by Anthony Andrews. The series is quite open about the homosexual relationship between Charles and Sebastian. Charles tries to be the protector and care for Sebastian as he falls prey to his vices and alcoholism. Their time in Venice where Charles meets Lord Marchmain. A new world has opened for him. The love and loss of Sebastian occurs in the first 5-6 hours and then the time in-between when Charles produces his art, falls in love and has a family. Then the meeting of Julia, played by Diana Quick, on the QE II crossing and how their love develops and blossoms. And finally the last few hours at Brideshead when divorce occurs and marriage to Julia becomes possible. Until Lord Marchmain returns home to die and all things change.
'Brideshead Revisited' was made by Granada television, and the television series was written by John Mortimer in October 1981. Evelyn Waugh wrote the novel and it has been proclaimed by the New York Times as the best of his novels. This is a series of 11 episodes that will keep you riveted. One of the best series ever made.
I must discuss the beautiful music written and directed by Geoffrey Burgon. The soundtrack is so memorable and my favorite pieces are 'Sebastian's Summer' and 'Julia In Love'. There are 16 tracks and the music is still available.
The actors in this series are all top-notch. Claire Bloom as Lady Marchmain, Sir Laurence Olivier as Lord Marchmain, Sir John Gielgud as Charles remote father. All the characters are well developed and rich in their history of England. The 25Th Anniversary DVD holds up to its age and everything is as it should be. One of the most memorable BBC series that holds its claim to fame.
Highly, Highly Recommended. prisrob 06-04-09
The Loved One
Scoop
the wounded, searching for love and finding it for a moment June 23, 2009
Robert J. Crawford (Balmette Talloires, France)
This is an absolutely first rate version of a complex novel. It evokes an entire historical period, the last gasp of the British aristocracy before the Second World War. It also portrays Catholic Britain and youth between the wars. The scenery is stunning, but the acting is superior to just about anything I have ever seen on TV.
The first time I saw this, I had just fallen in love in my youth. We spent an entire weekend watching it together as a fund-raising marathon on PBS, talking about the characters and fascinated with each other as only new lovers can be. It was utterly mesmerizing as a work of art, a look at the mystery of love, which was at its greatest intensity for us during the time of discovery. Now, I wanted to see it again, to see if it met the test, of seeing it for the beauty but also if I would have an entirely different perception of it as a middle-age man who had made many compromises to preserve an essentially good marriage. I was astonished to see that I thought it was just as good as the first time, but or course I have the conceit to think I saw deeper this time.
Irons plays an unloved young man: his father is a cold fish who has no feeling for him, except perhaps the wish to avoid embarrassment at his lack of paternal decorum. To make up for it, Irons seeks perfection in love and friendship, even abandoning his family to attain it. He finds it briefly in old aristocratic Catholic family and then loses it, probably forever as he appears headed for WWII and certain death. Still, his search and fate are unbearably poignant.
While when young I saw him as an innocent who was unlucky, an ingenue who went up against forces that made him a victim. It was a tragedy very much like the alcoholism that destroys Sebastian, his friend and perhaps lover in youth. This time, I saw him as somewhat of a clod, who was unable to maintain the most meaningful relationships he had ever known and missed many opportunities to do so. In a word, he is a thick, self-absorbed person who did not know when to back off. Even his war destiny seemed different: he was headed to delay and bureaucracy, not the front, so a lonely life - as a man who abandoned his family for a mistress - stretched before him like an albatros. Thus, I saw him completely differently: flawed, less sympathetic, but still interesting.
That contrast, in my view, is the mark of truly great art: totally different and complete, depending on your point of view. You even feel it differently each time.
Irons, of course, is not the only fine actor in this. You have Olivier, Claire Bloom, Anthony Andrews, and Diana Quick. They too are absolutely first rate. BUt there are many other incredible performances, such as Olivier's mistress, who is a shrewd and caring woman who sees a very great deal indeed.
Warmly recommended.
Bloody flawless April 5, 2009
M. Elizabeth Wilson (Atlanta)
I watched this when it was first broadcast on PBS, taped it, and kept it for ages -- and bless my dear friend who gave me this wonderful 25th anniversary boxed set. Along with the ORIGINAL "Forsyte Saga," (and yes, "The Jewel in the Crown"),this may be the best production ever done by the BBC.
First, read the book! Always and by all means. Evelyn Waugh was -- well, just terribly, terribly British -- and it is a treasure. And the BBC did an extraordinary job of turning it into a magnificent mini-series. The cast -- starting w/Jeremy Irons and Anthony Andrews -- and on and on -- everyone, every detail -- television, film, literature -- at its best!
And DO watch the "special feature" with Irons, et al. Wonderful perspective 25 years later.
Five stars just does not cut it for this MASTERPIECE! March 6, 2009
moviemusicman
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is my review of the 2008 theatrical version;
Stick with the 1981 Granada television version. Yes, it's 13 episodes. Yes, it's long but it is positively brilliant! Beautifully acted, sumptously filmed, masterfully directed. It's intelligence shines through in every scene. If those reasons aren't good enough for you then just see it for the exquisite performance of Anthony Andrews!
The 2008 big screen version has only one thing in common with the 1981 version, it is long...
brilliant series-however the version I rented did NOT have one of the most entertaining lines in the entire series February 8, 2009
W. graham (washington)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Does anyone know where I can obtain a NO-DELETED-SCENES version ? One of my favorite lines from Anthony Blanche was OMITTTED on the DVD I rented yesterday. I am desole!! Please help.
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