Barry Lyndon | The Final Duel [Scene Breakdown]

The final duel in Barry Lyndon is one of my favorite scenes in all of Kubrick’s work. You could say that the sequence actually starts in the previous scene where Bullingdon challenges Barry. This beautiful composition of a grieving Barry alludes to one of the “Marriage A-la-Mode” series paintings by William Hogarth, which BFI notes is referenced in the original novel. The dueling theme music begins when Bullingdon asks to speak with Barry Lyndon and carries over into the dueling sequence.
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This video essay was written, edited, and narrated by Tyler Knudsen.
The Kubrick Files Ep. 3 - Kubrick's Cameras - • The Kubrick Files Ep. ...
Sources:
cinephiliabeyond.org/stanley-...
Time Magazine [Dec 15, 1975]
Stanley Kubrick Archives [Barry Lyndon by Rodney Hill]
How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love 'Barry Lyndon’ By JOHN HOFSESS
Kubrick on Barry Lyndon An interview with Michel Ciment
American Cinematographer interview with John Alcott
Stanley Kubrick Exhibition Book - Interview with Ken Adam
Six Kinds of Light John Alcott - • Six Kinds of Light Joh...
DP/30: Leon Vitali on Kubrick - • DP/30: Leon Vitali on ...
Leon Vitali. How to structure a duel - • How Kubrick created th...
Music:
“Modum” by Kai Engel

[@murdockfiles9406]

"Kubrick started filming the scene and wasn't happy with it" Story of his life...

[@A360Win]

Murdock Files now that's funny.

[@1000000man1]

There's an example in Eyes Wide Shut where one of the actors who only had one scene described how he was just about to start shooting and Kubrick said he wasn't happy with the lighting and they did it the next day instead.

[@landrec2]

Lol. The people working for him wouldn't like it for sure, but I think his work speaks for itself. I wish we had more Kubricks...

[@ulfingvar1]

@@landrec2 Nolan, Villeneuve and the Cohen brothers come close. And Ridley Scott, at his best..

[@landrec2]

@@ulfingvar1 For sure, there are lots of great directors still, the Cohen brothers tho- they're on a special level of excellence. I just re-watched Barton Fink - no words how hot and enjoyable this movie is.

[@jimslav6973]

The duel at the end of Barry Lyndon is so heartbreaking because Redmond Barry achieved all his successes in a low manner and all his failures in a high manner. We know this definitively at the end of the movie and, like Breaking Bad, we are invested in Barry regardless of his deeds. When he fires into the ground, we know his fate is sealed before the outcome even transpires because it's a high-mannered deed. This is a real Shakespearean tragedy because Barry just wanted to be a gentlemen and never could.

[@landrec2]

Well said.

[@eddyecho]

aim high shoot low

[@jjsfourthphone6759]

@@eddyecho wow.. literally

[@Bodkin_Ye_Pointy]

So Barry did not fire the second time?

[@nm7358]

@@Bodkin_Ye_Pointy No, he got the bullet straight into his leg and was unable to fire at his second turn.

[@1dbanner]

After Barry sees Bullingdon vomit, he decides he can't shoot him; he realizes Bullingdon is angry, scared kid who wants revenge....exactly as Barry was when he challenged John Quinn. He sees himself in the kid, and possibly he doesn't want to deprive Lady Lyndon of another son, so he decides to do the most gentlemanly act he does in the whole film - and it finishes him.

[@billnye8143]

I doubt that I think he was done with life after the death of his real son. If that kids brother was alive he would not have lived guaranteed.

[@TheDiscardedImage]

I think there are multiple reasons why Barry does not fire back. Like others have mentioned - he doesn't want to further anguish his wife, and doesn't want to cause more outrage or "distaste" in this society - as he's somewhat of an outcast at this point. But it's also just general humanity. Although Bullingdon and Barry have had their quarrels - they are still somewhat family. He's still been a father figure to him, and watched him grow up. He probably still views him as a child. So I can't imagine him wanting to cause Bullingdon serious injury, or death - especially as Barry has seen a lot of it.

[@ivyssauro123]

Precisely my thoughts! And the actor expresses this clearly.

[@EyeLean5280]

More than somewhat of an outcast, I would say. More like an utter pariah. But I agree with everything else you say.

[@gaiuscaligula2229]

The best analysis i've seen describes it as the first act being Barry: the lost child looking for a father. And the second act: Barry: the lost father looking for a son. It seems to me he was trying to be the father he never had, even to Bullingdon after Brian was gone. I don't know if it's of any relevance but in the book Barry was only 15 when he fell in love with Nora and fought Quin in the Duel, but looked grown up for his age.

[@fredphlogiston4620]

I think, that the theme of the movie is that character is destiny. Barry is impulsive and emotional. This combined with good luck brought him up the social ladder. This last time he was emotional and impulsive again and combined with bad luck lost everything.

[@adtastic1533]

Hes in a massive depression and hes lost any sense of purpose. He doesnt want to see another "son" die, and hes probably looking for redemption over all the things hes done wrong.

[@Druffmaul]

I've always figured Barry decided to fire into the ground only because of Bullingdon's accidental misfire. If Barry had won the coin toss, I think he would have taken a proper shot at Bullingdon. Not out of any sort of malice or vindinctiveness, simply as an act of self preservation. In all of those books about dueling Kubrick read, I'm sure he learned that the optimal outcome of a "pistols at dawn" duel was generally for both parties to walk away unscathed. In most cases, it wasn't about trying to kill each other. It was only about defending one's honor, and simply showing up for the duel and standing your ground was in itself sufficient for that, regardless of whether or not anyone actually took a bullet. Barry misjudged the situation and assumed that, after he himself magnanimously intentionally fired into the ground, Bullingdon would have satisfaction and let things be... not realizing that his true goal wasn't merely to defend his honor, but to literally do away with Barry and thereby rescue both his mother and the family fortune. It was the only way (or at least the easiest and most obvious way) he could ~legally~ get Barry out of the picture without risking being hanged for murder.

[@CountArtha]

Exactly. The misfire is what saves Bullingdon's life. He is all nerves before his first shot and probably would have missed, and then Barry would have shot him, having proven himself the better man in skill and resolution. Instead, Bullingdon's pistol discharges harmlessly, which means that Barry is not the better man unless he stands his ground for another shot. If he shoots Bullingdon, then he's a vicious brute who took advantage of his stepson's bad luck; but if he gallantly throws away his shot, he's a true gentlemen. So he does, because becoming a gentleman has been his life's ambition. Bullingdon is given the same choice, and chooses differently - because he was born a gentleman and doesn't feel the need to earn it. He just wants his stepfather dead. By allowing Bullingdon fire again, Barry is doing the civilized, gentlemanly thing - but also inviting Bullingdon to do the less gentlemanly thing that Barry himself WOULD have done in the first half of the movie. The theme of the second half is that people who EARN status have trouble KEEPING status, because the attributes that can win you high status are self-destructive in people who actually have it.

[@royalhero4608]

Best comment on here

[@yeomane]

@@CountArtha So once again Barry is being an opportunist rather than acting genuinely.

[@emperorsheev5790]

By this point in the film he was already ostracized from high society and was drinking himself to death after Bryon died. So really there was no honor to defend.

[@jolicska]

@@yeomane you are really dont understand the message.

[@dragunkiller360]

I'm really happy to see new Barry Lyndon content given how little this film is talked about. I'm extremely ecstatic that you released TWO Barry Lyndon essays in one day, both covering different and unique parts of it. Great job with both of these. Keep up the phenomenal work!

[@w.iraheta3769]

dragunkiller360 The Criterion Collection will also be releasing Barry Lyndon this fall in it's original aspect ratio and with a lot of new special features.

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks so much!

[@kaewonf8]

Given that Bullingdon is depicted in the film first as a spiteful child, then a petulant adolescent and finally an effete adult, I assume that Barry underestimated the depth of Bullingdon's hatred, and more importantly the intestinal fortitude required to actually fire a pistol. Bullingdon's pathetic retching following his misfire probably reinforced the sense of ineffectuality. That Bullingdon demands satisfaction shocks him, and us. That he finally receives it after shooting Barry is evident in his ecstatic, almost orgasmic reaction to Barry's agony. Truly a mesmerizing scene.

[@Gravelgratious]

That look on Bullington's face is satisfying because he saved his family from future abuse by Barry.

[@tylerhiggins3522]

I think Barry showed honor and mercy, perhaps because Bullingdon showed courage by standing his ground despite vomiting in fear. But even more, I think the grief stricken Barry no longer cared about his own life.

[@scottrouse9609]

I think Barry would never have shot Lord Bullingdon because he has had enough of death dealing with the guilt of the loss of his son Bryan due to a horse that Barry bought for him having Lady Lyndon loose both her children to his actions was something he did not want to be party to. He may have found some redemption with this action but with his "luck" he got nothing from it. However it made me a bit more sympathetic to him.

[@daveygivens735]

The fire into the ground is the defining moment of Redmond's epic journey.

[@tribudeuno]

When I first saw this film when it was just released, at the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood, this dueling scene was nerve racking for me. I just wanted it to be over. But it just went on and on at an excruciating pace. I'm not saying this as being a bad thing, but to show what deep level of suspension of disbelief was achieved. I have over the years heard quite a few people criticize the film for being slow. But this was a TRUE period picture, depicting a time when the rich spent all day getting dressed, and all night getting undressed. There was never any indication of a 1970's aesthetic of audience expectation of pace to Barry Lyndon...

[@duartesimoes508]

I saw this movie in 1977 and I remember well how the audience was absolutely ecstatic for the whole three hours duration. Just as if we were all watching the World Cup Final. Outstanding, powerful movie.

[@jeffreyburton7284]

Barry Lyndon is one of my favorite Kubrick films and one which has forced me to change my views over time. When I first saw it, I thought Barry was a scoundrel with few redeeming qualities. Now I see him as someone who, though flawed strived to do the right thing in every situation. He is loyal to his mentor early on, saves his captor when he could've left him to die and befriends the Marquis even though it could get him killed. He apologizes for his infidelities and tries to raise Bullingdon as best he can. When presented with the chance to kill him he does what he thinks nobility does and spares him. Bullingdon then shows him what nobility really does and fires. Barry Lyndon is one of many indictments against the oligarchy included in Kubricks films. This movie, along with 'Paths of Glory' and 'Eyes Wide Shut' show Stanley Kubrick as an astute social commentator and severe critic of the power elite.

[@zakalon123]

I think this scene is very ironic. Because the low born Barry does the only decent thing in his life and loses everything yet gains back his honor. Lord Bullingdon who is meant to be the gentleman. Gains back his birthright yet totally sacrifices his honor when he churlishly shows Barry no mercy. So for all of Bullingdon's ideas and speeches about honor, he proves that he is no gentlemen. Yes he has regained his birthright, but ironically he has lost his social standing due to his opportunistic actions. Not only is he a coward but he is no gentlemen. And polite society will spurn him or at least ridicule him behind his back. So he has lost the respect of his peers. Barry for all of his low born status is the real gentlemen and proves it.

[@laszu7137]

Did you ignore the 2 hours of movie preceeding this? :D

[@LiquidOzelot]

@Memento Mori yeah, but barry did terrible things and the duel is just the last claw on the tumb. No good or evil just what he deserves. Also I think Bullington don't lose his honor because it was stolen by Barry, so he gains back.

[@Wasserkaktus]

Nope, Bullington lost nothing with this scene. Barry had AMPLE opportunity to redeem himself from stop acting so selfishly towards Bullington and Lady Lyndon. Keep in mind that Bullington found Barry "grieving" in a gentlemen's club. A fucking GENTLEMEN'S CLUB. Rather than even consider once that maybe Lady Lyndon lost her son as well, and that maybe they should at least feign love for one another and grieve together, he instead does his own selfish thing.

[@AudieHolland]

Right before Bullingdon decides to challenge Barry, the narrator appears to be fed up with Barry too. The only thing with Bullingdon is that he is not handsome like Barry and his way of speech is that of a big child. Even so, he has all the right on his side. Still, we root for Barry because 'he is the protagonist.' I think it's a trick Kubrick likes to play on his audience more than once. In "Dr. Strangelove: Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb" we *know* that that last B-52s mission *has to fail* or all is lost. Yet as the bomber's crew fights to keep their plane in the air, fights to steer it to its target on its last drops of fuel, then Major Kong valiantly sacrifices himself to accomplish the mission, we as the audience in our hearts want them to succeed. As the curtain falls, we still cannot bring ourselves to hate Major Kong and his heroic crew. If someone is to blame it's the damn Soviet Airforce who couldn't even shoot down or stop a single bomber with their entire airforce (since all the other bombers were recalled or already shot down).

[@superalmond6796]

zakalon123 it is important to remember the final lines of the film “in the end they were all equal”

[@marichristian1072]

His promise to his dying child not to hurt anyone again gives Barry a modicum of redemption when he chooses to shoot into the ground. The single base drum playing the often heard Sarabande, increases the feeling of dread in the viewer throughout this scene. The final duel alone is a masterpiece in every aspect.

[@MrTravisofthecosmos]

I think Barry intended to delope (fire into the ground) before the duel took place. In 18th century Europe, if a duelist deloped, it was considered unsportsmanlike to continue the duel. I think Barry thought he could save face by deloping and avoid having to harm Bullington. It was a selfish move, because he didn't want to fight Bullington. However, I think he believed it would end the duel in an honorable way without either man being harmed.

[@squeeth2895]

Lyndon is damned if he does, damned if he doesn't. His ambitions have turned to dust and he doesn't care. He saves Bullingdon's life because it doesn't matter now.

[@marichristian1072]

The brilliance of this scene alone reveals Kubrick's genius. It's not just shot, it's choreographed in minute detail.

[@tonywords6713]

yay! i was just going to ask you to talk about this more. i love this film. so underrated/overlooked

[@vilhelmhammershoi4631]

One of the most beautiful scenes ever filmed!

[@sahernassar]

truly remarkable man how much you put into these videos, great job as always!

[@sahitanand]

30K subscribers for something that's cheaper than film school? It's a damn shame. You truly deserve more.

[@user-mg1hp4fu4u]

Agree, but we're dealing here with not a mass-culture product, but rather a piece of pure fine art. Take the music here. You can't fully enjoy the movie without enjoying Schubert or Hendel. Same with paintings and iconic frame shots. Call me a snob, but I'm actually quite happy with the fact so few ever heard of movie.

[@suppressed6125]

Whenever he threw up before his turn I just remember forgetting to breath every second after that until Barry was shot. Such a great scene

[@mindbomb9341]

Fucking amazing movie. I didn't even know it existed until yesterday. Rented it online and felt like I lived the 1700s in an evening. AMAZING SHIT!

[@scottyferguson]

Thank you for creating this channel. It's rare to find lens, camera and lighting info as well as accurate accounts of production all in one place.

[@CountArtha]

Barry throws his shot away for the same reason he brutalizes Bullingdon: to show that he's the better man. It's a gesture of superiority and contempt. His mistake is assuming that Bullingdon will just swallow that insult like he always has, and end the duel there. Instead Bullingdon does the savage thing and maims Barry.

[@lightningbolt3585]

Well it was twofold, your reason, as well as to make himself look honorable and merciful in the eyes of the noblemen. Lord Bullingdon realized his opportunity to remove Barry and capitalized on it.

[@mosskey]

I saw this for the first time last week. It quickly became one of my favorite scenes I've ever seen. Tremendous

[@TheBorzoilover]

I never forgot this film and loved it first time I saw it plus the music is a big yes for me, I think Barry Lyndon was not a nasty man at heart and I feel when Bullingdon misfired he had empathy towards the young man......Unfortunately Bullingdon did not feel the same towards Barry.......Great film a true classic.

[@adampage73]

Lord Bullingdon has finally received satisfaction! Thank you for your work in making so many masterpieces Leon Vitali

[@rangoononline]

This is my favorite Kubrick movie! It's so hard to get my friends to watch it because it looks "old timey".

[@RussellRadio]

Thank you so much for giving Barry Lyndon the treatment it deserves. I watched it when I was snowed in and had to stay at my office overnight, and I was blown away.

[@wingflanagan]

Wonderful video. I'm gratified that Barry Lyndon is enjoying something of a renaissance. In answer to the question: I think Barry went into the duel knowing he would not kill Bullingdon. The depth of his grief has changed something in him. It is perhaps the first truly authentic thing he has ever felt in his life, and it has planted a seed of empathy within him - a quality he has lacked until this point. He has no love for Bullingdon, but he cannot bear to take Lady Lyndon's only remaining child from her, either. The devastating irony is that this realization has come too late to save him from his fate.

[@kenoliver8913]

Ther's some subtleties missed in this analysis. To delope - deliberately fire away from your opponent - was quite common. It was a deliberately ambiguous gesture. It could signify that honour was now satisfied and therefore be an implicit apology, or be an insult (signifying that the deloper considered his opponent so low as to not be worth shooting).

[@MO-tp8lh]

I just saw this film for the first time this week as I picked up a criterion copy of this film... it’s fantastic. During this duel scene, I was telling myself ‘don’t do it Barry’ and was relieved when he fired to the ground (some kind of apology or redemption) but then surprised when Lord B said he was NOT satisfied! Great stuff.

[@acadia5898]

great video!!!

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks!

[@TolkienStudy]

Thank you! I LOVE Barry Lyndon!

[@robertjohnson7341]

I've always thought that Barry shoots into the ground because he believes that will be the end of the affair without causing himself more trouble. I believe he went into the duel angry, and maybe even glad to have the excuse to exercise the fullness of his dislike upon his stepson - after all, under the rules of the society he has the right to defend his honor against any affront, even from his stepson who is only just a man. I believe he is shocked that his stepson is no longer cowed by him as he has always been.

[@Starry_Night_Sky7455]

Kinda funny scene to remind people to be fair with others in life. If not, later they might hunt you down for past harms like Bullingdon aims to do here. They're both flawed. Why do people need rules of society? One should know what's right and wrong based on empathy in the first place. Barry seems almost as emotionally blank as everyone else in this film, except when that fabulous fight breaks out during that stuffy recital scene where Bullingdon tries his best to deface Barry. That touched a nerve so, Barry tackled him. It was like, oh, finally something less sleepy here. Look at that they're not going to continue all tra la la here. They faced off directly for once (that sets up for the vengeful duel later). Bullingdon overstepped all those stifling social boundaries to insult Barry in front of everyone. It's just another scene to show how artificially fake their rigid social class happens to be. Barry doesn't really dislike Bullingdon. Barry has been mocked and insulted by Bullingdon since the beginning. Disrespect from both individuals for each other is the element here. Neither truly respects the other. At the duel, they had a chance to make amends. Bullingdon showed no honor making the shot. Barry could have lived up to Bullingdon's expectations by shooting, but he turns out to have made the more honorable choice at that point, maybe to save himself, remorse, or whatever you want to believe. Kubrick leaves the underlying motive ambiguous. Excellent scene, isn't it?

[@AudieHolland]

Has anyone mentioned already that Barry realizes Bullingdon is just like Barry himself when he was just a child and insisting on a duel with the Captain? Even though Barry had too much anger to be afraid during his first duel, he can emphatize with Bullingdon after he accidentally discharges his pistol.

[@snolan1990]

I always thought that Barry decided to fire into the ground following Bullingdon's misfire out of a sense of good sportsmanship and maturity on the misapprehension that Bullingdon would then consider the matter settled. While you can understand Bullingdon's actions up until that point it is difficult to feel sympathy for him once he takes aim. I always wonder what Barry would have done it Bullingdon had fired off the first shot successfully but then missed, or if when he took his second shot he missed, or indeed if Barry would have had first shot. Pretty much every possible outcome would have been incredibly interesting to watch.

[@NathanRichan]

I agree, especially about the misapprehension that Bullingdon wouldn't fire back. But I think it's more likely that, when Bullingdon's gun went off, Barry felt a big sense of relief, like "I win!" But then when he sees how nervous Bullingdon is he decides to waste his shot.

[@CGoody564]

snolan1990 I feel no difficulty to feel sympathy for Lord bullingdon. One "Noble" deed does not outweigh a lifetime of horrid ones, and all bullingdon knows of Barry is abuse, neglect, and his family being taken advantage of. The only reason there is any difficulty feeling sympathy for bullingdon is the fact that we have followed Barry and grown attached to the character, which is amplified by the fact he actually made a seemingly honorable decision, which is very likely his first. The story we follow has Barry at the center of it all; we know he's a pretty shitty person in general. If we were to look at this as a non-fiction story, would there be any sympathy for Barry? I think not. The only reason we do is because he is romanticised as the central figure to the plot, and thus most important to the viewer. Take that away, and you're left with an abusive neglectful father whom is finally getting what he deserves from one he inflicted much agony on.

[@lightningbolt3585]

Cory Goodman is an extremely intelligent man. Brilliant comment. Lord Bullingdon is the hero of Barry Lyndon.

[@350125GOW]

Hahaha fuck no.

[@AudieHolland]

Indeed. Even though Bullingdon is weak, ugly and miserable-looking, even though he is an upper class twit, he has every reason to want to destroy Barry. But we the audience still keep rooting for the womanizing, adulterous, opportunistic Barry (remember how Bullingdon, at a young age, already correctly profiled Barry just after he married Bullingdon's mother?). Because Barry is handsome, charming and he has just lost his young son in a horrible, tragic accident. That makes up for all the neglect, abuse and outright violence he has inflicted on the poor Bullingdon for almost as long as he can remember. Not to mention that Barry has effectively stolen all that belonged to Bullingdon, including his home. I think at the end, when Bullingdon decides to shoot at Barry, he has come to terms with the fact that Barry just spared his life but that doesn't change anything to the hell he has caused Bullingdon and his mother to be in. All Bullingdon has to do is to persevere and finish the job. And at last, he could be proud to have acted like a man because insisting on continuing the duel was within his rights and according to the rules. *If you were Bullingdon, would you have done it differently?* Anyone with any sense would be proud of the child Bullingdon when he, again, correctly judges the character of both his mother and step father. "Lord Bullingdon, you shame your father." -"No mother, you shame my father. My real father." Don't know the exact quote, too lazy to look it up but that's a bit how it went.

[@user-oe5kw7do6k]

All i can say is after his own child died, the Barry Lyndon spirit had also died with him. He is no longer the Barry Lyndon we once knew. The Barry Lyndon now is a walking corpse devoid of life and ambition. Even in the face of death, he remains nonchalant. He can only blame himself for spoiling his child, giving in to his every demands, pampering him until he can't differentiate between right and wrong.

[@geoycs]

Barry showed growth in character by not firing, as many have pointed out. We can finally appreciate some goodness in him after so much perfidy. Bullingdon did what he had to do, and he is successful: he saves his family from ruin. He did the right thing by seizing the opportunity to rid his family of a destructive, self-serving fraud.

[@KenPotter]

It parallels the duel that Barry had earlier with John Quinn, when Barry was had been the young naive insistent one, and got off easy. Now it was Barry's turn to be the mature one.

[@Scotsmanthebedbug]

This was surely one of Kubricks most intense scenes

[@FirstPlace97]

Bullingdon is one of the great bastards of the Cinema; I think he's no less an opportunist than Barry, and just wanted Lady Lyndon's signature for his own gains. This scene just adds so much contempt for his character in the way that he cowardly cripples Barry. Kubrick was the master of exploring human decadence. I think Barry was innocent all along, but that the world corrupted him. @CinemaTyler You make a good point about how absurd the nobility are in this film in the way that they act proper. None of them are really more honorable than Barry, and when his good nature does him no good, he becomes a swindler like the rest. He was most likely going to spare Bullingdon from the start, not considering him much of a threat, but rather pitying him. This was Barry's chance to prove he truly was a gentleman -- unlike when he was young and passionately in love -- and that he could let things go and just walk away, but alas, he was a very unlucky man here, as he was throughout the film.

[@JohnnyArtPavlou]

I think there’s some parallel between Bullingdon and Hamlet. He knows there’s something rotten going on, and he rightfully attempts to uphold his father’s honor. Barry is the opportunist and usurper. Apparently, in the novel, Barry employees blackmail in order to marry Lady Lyndon. Of course, Lord Bullingdon is presented as an entitled brat. And he doesn’t seem sympathetic. But really he’s trying to protect his mother and his own inheritance.

[@1qwasz12]

Barry shot into to ground after Bullingdon's misfire. Back then, this gesture was so magnanimous that it would make Bullingdon the aggressor.

[@pat3834]

I think that Barry did it for himself, so that he would look like a gentleman, the same reason he did everything, for himself. I don't think he cared enough about his wife to do it for her

[@lw3646]

I love the use of colour and lighting in this scene. I guess moving it indoors gave them more control. There's a lot of blue in the scene which gives a slightly sad feel, no warm oranges or reds. Also Barry's hair looks like it's starting to go grey.

[@Shifty1940]

This is a must see in CinemaScope. Part one is a true How Green was my Valley moment with long shots

[@malafakka8530]

Barry is always described as an opportunist. In this scene he decides for the first time to not seize the opportunity presented to him, and he is immediately punished for it. It is a rather cold statement on humanity: if you don't try to benefit from all situations as much as you can, you will suffer for it because somebody else is guaranteed seize that very opportunity. Morals are weak against a world that doesn't care. Well, something like that I think ;)

[@Starry_Night_Sky7455]

That's an interesting take on this scene.

[@jamescastelli8507]

I've never seen anyone say in print that the reason Barry fires into the ground isn't out of some bid for gentlemanly honor or even mercy toward Bullingdon, but to his wife, who, despite his treatment of her, loves her, and doesn't want to further destroy her by killing her only remaining son, especially since Brian died arguably because Barry had gotten him a horse his mother was against, and told him about it and where it was before his birthday. Of course a more callous reading of his motives is, rather than love, Barry spares Bullingdon strategically so Lady Lyndon won't write him out of her life and remaining fortune.

[@lanasrj]

I think Barry meant to spare him, but it's meant as an insult...in fact, the first real insult Barry commits. Throughout the story he is in constant conflict, but not until this duel is he taking it personally. In that way he mars his opponent's victory

[@EyeLean5280]

Oh, great question! I don't know when Barry made that decision but I know that by the time the moment came, he couldn't do anything else. Barry is the type who wants to do good, but just can't in day-to-day life. He can only do real good in extreme situations, like when he saved his German captain from the fire. He can be a knight in shining armor, but he can't take that armor off and be just a man - at that, he fails utterly. But grandiose gestures at critical moments? That he can offer, because they're momentary.

[@franwex]

He was never gonna fire. He was already defeated when approached by the lord.

[@Starry_Night_Sky7455]

Noble vs common genes? Really, there's a difference? Please, what scientific proof do you have on that one, lol? In reality, "common" genes are more healthy thanks to genetic diversity. Those nobles were at one time commoners anyways. Those that are the heirs of nobles just happen to be enjoying the fruits of past ancestors ambitious natures. Aristocracy is created by taking it, usually by means of force, historically having borrowed or stolen the labors of everyone else to obtain and keep it. The entire film is aiming to discredit the artificial class system itself, to show that it's a farce of nonsense. Barry Lyndon was, if anything, human, facing fortune and misfortune that every mortal being may face. Yeah, some of his decisions were shitty, I'll agree with that one. Bullingdon was a snotty kid, but his dislike for Barry was understandable. It was a weird twist of events too, because Barry was always seeking a father figure. This was his chance to be a good father figure to Bullingdon, but he mucked it all up. Really, there's a scene of Barry engaging in outright infidelity as Lady Lyndon and Bullingdon catch him, and he shows absolutely no concern for it. Now, if you're Bullingdon, wouldn't you hate the guy too? Later, he does seem to reveal remorse, but the distant emotion in the film leaves that call up to us to decide. This is a great film for being complex and realistic like life itself. The reason he didn't shoot? The director is intentionally making a point here. The epilogue at the end explains it well enough.

[@MrFlintlock7]

No good deed goes unpunished.

[@nm7358]

This duel mirrors the first duel in that Captain Quinn as the "older, more mature figure" did not really wish to duel a kid he had some sympathy for over a temper tantrum, however justified it might have been, and instead offered Redmond a solution that would cause him no dishonor at all. Instead Lord Bullington, just like Redmond did, spitefully refuse because in his eyes this attempt was perceived as a paternalistic insult to his manhood. Quinn's face changing to undisguised shock and terror mirrors Barry's own disbelief when Bullington refuses the opportunity offered to him, because just like Quinn realized Redmond really wanted to kill him for real to get rid of him from Nora, Barry realized Bullington really wanted to kill him for real to get rid of him from his mother. Except that this time, no willing accomplices were around to help Barry by tinkering with the pistols, like Nora's brothers did to help Quinn.

[@MegaFount]

Tyler can you do an analysis of Paths of Glory. I'd like to hear your thoughts and observations of it.

[@Zennofobic]

wow I never knew VItaly played the Red Cloak in Eyes Wide Shut, very cool always love your vids Tyler

[@snolan1990]

Literally just about to stick this movie on and I see this video! I suppose I'll get schooled on it before I check out the film again now :)

[@TheDepiano]

I was watching it myself ^^

[@CinemaTyler]

Perfect timing! Hope you liked it!

[@cubefarmerhkc9105]

Good Movie. Lets bring back dueling.

[@kellykempkilroy]

I am of the persuasion that Redmond never wanted to fire his pistol at his stepson. Firing into the ground convinced me of this position.

[@mikedbigame3398]

I'm not sure why so many seem to feel bad for Barry's outcome. He put himself in this situation. His "selfless act" of shooting into the ground was his only option. He was in a bo win situation, if he shot the boy, he would have killed his wife's only son. Barry underestimated the level of rightfully earned hatred, the boy had for him. His downfall is his own fault for his behavior towards the boy and his mother.

[@thepositivelynegativ]

Barry intended from the start to allow Lord Bullingdon his shot no matter what, because he's more gentleman than scoundrel and he realizes the jig is up.

[@Starry_Night_Sky7455]

That's it.

[@mikeyKnows_]

It was over for Barry, there was no win for him in this scenario all his misdeeds caught up to him and he knew it.

[@chopin65]

In the novel, Barry is a braggart and self-styled Irishman who is writing his story. There is no way to know the real Barry outside the image he creates, like a Kardashian, he lives for fame, and because of it he is constantly inflating and exaggerating his experiences. The reasons for this are rooted in the ridged class structures of his time. You were born into a life. And a rich man was a rich man and a poor a poor, and money had only a small part to play in it. A person like Lord Bullingdon is born into the highest classes, is a coward, and in a sense, is overwhelmed by the presence of Barry. His real father is very much a man of his time, and is much older than Barry. The deep psychological study of the film, is very different than the novel, which is written in first person, and in a comic vain. Barry starts the lying on page one, and it dosen't stop. Kubrick, completely transformed the tone and quality of the novel, buy shifting it to an omniscient POV with a narrator telling the story in place of Barry, and by turning it into a picturesque class study. It is one of the grand transformations that is remarkable in that it improves on the source material in some ways. Keeping all of this in mind, here is my opinion: Barry, who grew up without a father, had no intention of killing him. It is no act of compassion, but a very calculated gamble. Having lost his son earlier in the story, and having squandered an opportunity to prove that a man from nothing could rise to the higher ranks of his society, Barry tries to repair his deplorable image, and show himself to be above revenge. Let's not forget, by his marriage, and the consent of the King, he takes (not in title) the name "Lyndon", and with it all of the wealth and prestige of it. So, no. Barry is no saint. But there are none in this story. And that is the whole point of it.

[@taylor.rafferty]

Based on everything you learn about Barry the entire film, you are shocked when he chooses to spare Bullingdon’s life. All these people talking about Barry only shooting at the ground to save his reputation and status are overthinking things. Barry already lost his status-he was a social pariah for beating his step son in public-he had nothing to lose by killing Bullingdon and a whole lot to gain. Barry does the right thing for the first time the whole movie, and defies the impulse that got him ahead. Yet rather than returning kindness with kindness, Bullingdon shows Barry the same brutality that he was shown as a child. Kubrick was trying to show there is no destiny-it’s just a matter of inconsequential events and superficial rituals that dictate our eventual fate. It was sheer luck and ambition (with little morality) that drove Barry to the top. By failing to shoot Bullingdon, Barry failed to act on the same luck, immorality and ambition that got him there.

[@jonanjello]

Such an amazing scene and the music, of course, just heightens it. ~ Does anyone think the blue lighting in the barn and the preceding scene preceding significant? It's theorized there's dream sequences in Full Metal Jacket and Eyes Wide Shut. I don't believe this duel is a dream sequence, but am curious by the color scheme choice (of Barry, too)

[@lw3646]

My only critique of the duel is that the narrator has already told us that Barry would die poor, lonely and childless. So we know he won't be shot dead in this scene.

[@FuckYouWhosNext]

awesome analysis of the duel scene. to your question; I think id have to read the book to gain more perspective. ive seen the film several times and im a huge Kubrick enthusiast but idk. i am willing to think he wouldn't directly fire the shot out of sickness of it all at that point based purely from the films perspective

[@Omnihil777]

Leon Vitali asked Kubrick if he can stay after end of shooting to watch the editing and post-prod, Kubrick agreed and they got along quite good, he called Vitali for many of his following projects, if I remember correctly, he as Assistant to the Director in Shining and casting director in Full Metal Jacket, plus after Kubricks death he oversees the restauration of many of his films.

[@puplover7991]

I didn't see anyone mention the fact that Barry is rendered practically catatonic from grief (helped along by booze) and his firing into the ground was a metaphor for him saying "I give up." I think the meaninglessness of his whole charade culminated in this scene.

[@UNUSUALUSERNAME220]

Bullingdon had to shoot. It was the only way for him to regain his standing, and eliminate Redmond from his life. Redmon understands this, and that act is his final attempt at becoming someone that he was not for most of the story.

[@mathieuvanleeuwen7127]

I remember that Barry was taunted in public by Lord B. The trashing Lord B. received from Barry was frightening to see. Barry lost control there. It was one big humiliation for the young lord. Maybe that was set straight by firing into the ground by Barry. The violent outbursts of Barry's character gives an uneasy feel, for he doesn't look like that at all. He has a 'babyface' , and appears to be allways calm and composed. But if he gets triggered...

[@Jos46664]

at the end Barry cared for Bullingdon, even though he treated him bad Barry looked at him as his son a replacement of his dead child. Barry sees himself in Bullingdon: an inexperienced young man with a deep desire of being accepted as a honored man

[@JH-lo9ut]

Firing into the ground or to forfeit one's shot. was a common practice in duels at this time. It was often expected to do so. The purpouse of the duel was to reclaim lost honor, and settle a dispute more than to kill the opponent. If the challenger forfeits the shot, he shows himself to be above the dispute without looking like a coward. If the challengee forfeits the shot on the other hand, it is not as clear as to what it means. Either he accepts the charge, and shows himself willing to settle the dispute, but it can also be an act of further disrespect, if he believes the challenger isn't brave enough to actually go through with it. The question is, does Barry, the veteran of several duels and actual war, think the weak and inexperienced Bullingdon is even capable of harming him before suffering a nervous breakdown. I've watched this movie so many times, and I'm actually not sure if Barry already had decided to forfeit his shot, if he did it as a honourable reply to Bullingdon's misfire or that he tries to psyche Bullingdon into calling off the duel, as the final act of disrespect to his stepson.

[@nm7358]

In other traditions throughout Europe, deloping was also expressingly forbidden or perceived as a dick or coward move: You were defending your honour and expected to fight the duel seriously. If one party missed his shot, well exposing your life to mortal danger if you missed was the price to pay. There was no real universal code of duelling until well into the 19th century, so it really depended on the conditions negociated piecemeal between the two parties. Two parties that really wanted to settle this with the death of the other could perfectly agree to forbide any deloping shot as a way to convey they meant business, or to push the other party to back down.

[@knurdyob]

I don't think he would ever have fired at Bullingdon. I also didn't see it as him trying to mend the relationship and redeem his image in the eyes of others, he was just doing what was done to him at the start of the film. He just didn't take Bullingdon seriously and thought he was just a kid, not mature enough to treat him like an actual rival. At least that's how I saw it though, and it fits quite well with his character

[@WillN2Go1]

Good video. Gave me more insight into the movie. I remember seeing it when it was released. Ryan O'Neal's acting kind of stuck out and got in the way, (similar to how Casablanca reads differently if you've just read about Bogart's alcoholism, difficult early marriages and brawls), over time as a factor this levels out. If as you mention here the movie was about the absurdity of human society, how chance (and opportunism) are critical factors in Barry Lyndon's progress and advance into society... does a movie like this actually work? Is there enough information for viewers to get Kubrick's point? For me it was historical, the 18th century high society, wars, gambling, were to me ridiculous; but I knew that this wasn't a story about people like me. Best insight to the movie was "BL is a 20th Century movie of a 19th Century novel about 18th Century characters." This made me want to think about each scene in the movie as having three layers of subtext. I don't think that's Kubrick's intention. In the end a story in any medium works if the creators keep their main themes in mind while making it, but keep these themes from overwhelming the work, or a work becomes too pedantic: a 'Chestnut' (bad English teachers love their Chestnuts.) But how deep is best?

[@GooseGumlizzard]

god I love this movie

[@vincentsaia6545]

I say Barry Lyndon would never have fired at Bullington, for fear that his wife would never have forgiven him.

[@mariuszmiroslaw2290]

Among others reasons.

[@angusdavison]

Ola Tyler: Ryan O'Neal (who plays Barry) explained the result of this scene in a 1999 interview, saying, "Actually, that whole shot to the side thing wasn't in the original script. I was cocking the gun when a pigeon happened to fly over and void its bowels - I didn't want to go to a cut, but I couldn't stop myself from shooting at the pigeon."

[@juicemango27]

i think barry fired into the ground expecting bullington to call off the duel. then, once he doesnt, barry is put at the mercy of a brash, proud young man unwilling to settle, just as he was at the films beginning.

[@HappyCodingZX]

A little late to the party but thanks for the video. I think so many of the reasons outlined in the comments are true but perhaps the ultimate reason that Barry does not fire on Bullingdon is that, quite simply, after the death of Bryan, he simply no longer wishes to play the game that he has played his whole life, using the cards he has been dealt to their best advantage, knowing when to hold, fold, walk away or run. Throughout the film he has a knack of taking advantage of the strokes of luck that come his way, but this time when fate gives him the chance, he turns it down.

[@Crosmando]

This scene broke my heart, I didn't even know who I wanted to win, I think I just wanted Barry and Bullingdon to give it up and embrace each other and forgive, even if I knew that was impossible.

[@maratonlegendelenemirei3352]

The most wokest thing I have ever read!

[@andrewgilbertson5356]

Sights on duelling pistols?

[@scottryder6437]

I don’t think Barry firing into the ground was meant to try and repair a relationship or spare Bullington, it was more of an insult, he could see how scared Bullington was and probably saw it as pathetic. It was just another insult Barry could give him and make him look like less of a man once again.

[@ajconstantine3593]

I’ve recently discovered this guy’s channel and am surprisingly impressed with his subject matter. My ONLY complaint is that when he begins to QUOTE someone in his narration, he never indicates the ending of said quote, always confusing the viewer of when the quote ends and HIS words resume. He does this regularly I’ve noticed. I only hope he sees this and makes that one adjustment, because this guy is the SHIT! ✌️👍

[@ivyssauro123]

I don't think Barry had any noble intentions of improving his relationship with bullington or his reputations, he seems vividly angry at Bullignton in the scene, I think he just couldn't bring himself to kill him, and willfully take the life of a kid, specially after losing his own to fate.

[@jeremyjohnson1385]

Stanley Kubrick, what an absolute legend of a man. Excellent.

[@Ocrilat]

I don't know...I thought that the duel was basically a suicide attempt. That he could die an honorable man, like the gentleman he wanted to be, while also ending his pain of the loss of the only thing he actually attained that he valued for itself...his son. He could then attain the respect of his 'peers', and end his pain, by the same event. Getting maimed instead, and losing everything was a possibility not considered.

[@Reilly-Maresca]

I don’t think Barry ever would have aimed to hit his opponent in that duel. I don’t think that firing into the ground was an attempt to enter into Bullington’s mercy, and try to mend their relationship. I believe that, still wracked by grief, Barry firing into the ground was an act of suicide.

[@malleableconcrete]

I find it interesting that you suggest Lyndon didn't fire at Lord Bullingdon in an attempt to claw back some sense of gentlemanly honour and reconciliation. Personally, I perceived that Barry didn't fire upon Bullingdon out of a feeling of contempt, or perhaps even a desire to be punished by some force, and if it was Bullingdon so be it. I think firing into the ground, with no attempt to defend himself, not even looking at his gun, showed that he didn't take the pomp and danger of the situation seriously at all and was willing to allow Bullingdon to humiliate himself with his obvious fear to the point of vomiting, after he had already fumbled the gun and shown his inexperience. Bullingdon's challenge clearly hadn't gone the way he intended and instead served to put him in his place in comparison to Barry, again, with Lyndon not even going through the motions to give Bullingdon some dignity (for example he could have aimed at Bullingdon but still missed deliberately, at least misleading Bullingdon and the other men that Bullingdon's life was in danger and it was a serious duel rather than the farce it is in reality). If he wanted to come out unscathed he might have been banking that Bullingdon not having the constitution to continue with the duel or fire straight after that, or alternatively if he didn't he might have just wanted it to be clear that this was no real duel but simply an opportunity for punishment with Bullingdon being little more than the means. If he came to this decision I think it was when Bullingdon fired his round off early life a buffoon.

[@vik_body_beld7294]

Barry was dead from inside after his boy passed away. And having spent most of his wife's money, he had lost it al, even the will to live, just wanted to intoxicate and get through the night. He decides to make things right after that dining scene. In a posh restaurant, Barry, sitting alone and dining, there is another gentleman in the other corner and Barry asks him to join to which that man courtly refuses, narrator says cold shoulder.

[@allsystemsgo8678]

I'm not sure what Barry would of done if he had gone first. I do think he misses because he doesn't want to hurt Bullington more then he already has. Barry is changed man after the death of his son, who's death he feels responsible for. Now, to kill his other "son" would be to much to bare. He also doesn't want to hurt Lady Lyndon with killing her living son.

[@mdevres]

I think that after the death of his own son, he could never have brought himself to shoot his own stepson. Barry would not have shot Bullington even if he was stone cold and calm during the first part of the duel. I personally think that the whole movie can be interpreted as the arc of a young man's introduction to and abandonment of violence imposed by the hierarchical society, and his realization that in the end we are all equal in death, and nothing is gained through bringing about death.

[@safespacebear]

To the last question in the video... I dont believe after the death of his son he was going to kill his wife's last child. It was such a heartbreaking scene. The one time Barry was honorable sealed his fate.

[@farmalmta]

One wonders at the thoughts and calculations that would be going through the mind of a Barry Lyndon in the moments leading up to his decision to fire into the ground: " 'K, lessee here... chances are, the kid will make the noble gesture of proclaiming satisfaction if I fire into the ground, thankful to have his life spared. Or perhaps call for a second round but fire into the ground himself to show his own magnanimity. Also, if I kill the little twerp, Lady Loopdeloop may kill herself. Then the castle and what's left of the fortune will go to Bullingdon's heirs like mom said would happen, so I'll be broke and out on my ear yet again. So... here goes nothing... fire into the ground and hope for the best. BLAM!"

[@mariuszmiroslaw2290]

Let's start with the fact that he was an excellent shooter even before the army.

[@LarryActionGlass]

Barry wanted to die at that point, so the duel was a great way to do it in his mind. imo of course.

[@thatllputmarzipaninyourpie3117]

I've seen it projected twice--and probably watched it 10 times in total. I know every second of it. I know how it ends. It doesn't matter. It is suspenseful every time. That's amazing to me. Edit: Btw--I noticed no difference from what I saw projected (saw it once as a child in 75 and again in LA about 7 or 8 years ago), and the blu ray. I think the controversy is a bit silly.

[@magamexican6302]

I think after the misfire. He wanted an excuse not to kill the lord and it was dropped in his lap.

[@gaberodriguez4023]

Here's an interpretation my friend brought up recently I had never thought of: I always thought that Barry choosing to fire his shot into the ground was the one truly selfless thing he does during the movie, which only added to the tragedy that he ends up paying dearly for it. However, my friend brought up that had Barry actually shot and killed Bullingdon, wouldn't he likely have gone to prison? Despite it being a duel, it still doesn't change the fact that he would have murdered his stepson, who outranked him as an English lord. So maybe his choice to fire into the ground wasn't really an honorable choice so much as him attempting an easy way out of the predicament he was in.

[@chopin65]

Gabe Rodriguez Completely calculated, on Barry's part. Remember where he came from. It's important.

[@Starry_Night_Sky7455]

Am I just class blind here? Conniving opportunists exist at all levels of the social system. That scene was awesome to me, as I feel like B. Lyndon's genuine motives for firing the shot were ambiguous, leaving you to puzzle over it. Nothing here is black and white. Life is complicated. If anything, firing that shot does reveal to us that he isn't an opportunistic villain. If he was a true sociopath, he would have taken the opportunity to shoot without remorse. Honor doesn't come from any artificial class rank. Honor comes from one's actions. He put himself at risk there. Bullingdon just couldn't man up at that point to do the honorable thing too. Instead his sense of anger and vengeance for past harms got the best of him, and really isn't it kind of understandable given past circumstances? Complex scene, isn't it? Moral gray zones all over the place, but, it certainly shows us that honorable conduct doesn't come from any title to one's name.

[@lightningbolt3585]

Bonnie Hundley What does the ending tell us? All of them ended up dead in the end! None of it mattered, the world's events are cyclical and ultimately what we do is futile, for we will all end up in the ground one day. This whole film is about repetition and cycles. Barry's life closely mimics Bullingdon's. Both men duelled an older man over a passionate matter, both men had suffered from physical abuse, both men had endured traumatic experiences, both men had no father figure, both had very prominent mother figures in their lives.

[@Starry_Night_Sky7455]

@@lightningbolt3585 You're reminding me why this film is so great! It's got ambiguity and complexity all worthy of ongoing discussion about human existence. Yeah, I can entirely see what you're saying there regarding the parallels between these two characters lives and fates.

[@lightningbolt3585]

Thanks Bonnie. I disagree when some people say Barry Lyndon isn't as complex as his other films. I think it's right up there with the rest of his 2001 and onward work.

[@ethanjavonillo7462]

rest in peace Leon 🕊

[@chopin65]

The first dual, which you show, was properly armed, and concerned the fate of Barry's father.