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Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
The story of Barry Lyndon: 50 years since Stanley Kubrick made his epic in Ireland
It's the lavish, lauded and lovingly lit period drama centred around the rise and fall of a charming scoundrel and social climber. Shot across a variety of Irish locations including Dublin Castle, Powerscourt, Waterford and Cahir. Barry Lyndon brought cutting-edge technology and storytelling to our screens when it was released in 1975. Now, Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of William Thackeray's novel returns to Irish cinema screens in a new 4K restoration to mark its 50th anniversary. The Triskel and Cork Omniplex are among the cinemas bringing it to the big screen. Fresh from making such beloved movies as 2001: A Space Odyssey and Dr Strangelove, British filmmaker Kubrick travelled to Ireland to make his period epic, starring Ryan O'Neill in the title role and Marisa Berenson as his wife. The movie revolves around a young 18th-century Irishman who, following a series of setbacks, goes to great lengths to advance himself. But there was a dramatic ending to the shoot - approximately nine months after filming on the ambitious movie began in late 1973, Kubrick would beat a hasty retreat out of Ireland amid reported threats and complicating factors connected with The Troubles. Ryan O'Neill and Marisa Berenson in Barry Lyndon. Nevertheless, Barry Lyndon is regarded as a memorable time in Ireland's screen history - coming as it did at a time of growing momentum for the then-tiny Irish film industry. Kubrick, one of cinema's best known and most admired filmmakers following a string of critical hits, would go on to shoot only three more movies - The Shining, Full Metal Jacket and Eyes Wide Shut, before his sudden death at the age of 70, just days after delivering his final film. Barry Lyndon is a film that has become more loved with time, believes Dr Barry Monahan, senior lecturer in the Department of Film and Screen Media at UCC - and its re-release this week is an opportunity to embrace its many qualities. 'You can drill into it and find magnificent little moments, and then see the whole thing weave together,' says Monahan, adding that Kubrick always liked to add a heightened feel to his films. 'Everything had to be epic. That's exactly what he leaned into with Barry Lyndon - its sheer scope, its complexity, is incredibly admirable.' Remarkably, Kubrick - who wanted to film many of Barry Lyndon's striking scenes by candlelight - used a lens initially developed for NASA that enabled him to do so. 'He wanted to shoot the interiors with candlelight predominantly, or natural light coming in through windows,' says Monahan. 'That's one of the big technical feats, and that really was a big thing.' The ZEISS lens - known as one of the fastest lenses ever developed - could film with very low light and without artificial light and only a small number of them were ever developed. They were originally used for lunar exploration. The advertisement in the Cork Examiner in May 1976 for Barry Lyndon showing at the Capitol cinema. Barry Lyndon was shot here at a time when Ireland's film industry had yet to build indigenously to become the internationally respected industry it is today. It would be another number of years before the act to establish The Film Board (now Screen Ireland) was passed in 1980. There had been efforts to build a screen industry here for many decades before, but the arrival of such a prolific filmmaker helped showcase Ireland's beauty as a location, says Monahan, at a time there had long been a growing desire to develop more of a film culture in Ireland. 'As a venue, as a place that could really dress up as a period piece very well, that was beautiful, it had the kind of backdrops that producers would need in a reasonably accessible and reasonably low-budget way. And Kubrick's name associated with a project like that was just magnificent.' Film academics Dr Maria Pramaggiore and Dr Barry Monahan. The shoot also brought a top US heartthrob to these shores in the form of the late Ryan O'Neal. Having recently filmed the Hollywood hit, Love Story, and starred opposite his daughter Tatum in Paper Moon, the period epic marked something of a departure for the star. In fact, the film marked a new adventure for both its leading man and its director, says Dr Maria Pramaggiore, author of Making Time in Stanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon: Art, History, and Empire. 'Kubrick's overall body of work is small and much beloved by an intense fan and critical following,' says Pramaggiore. 'My interest in Barry Lyndon and my approach to it were motivated by my interest in Irish cinema,' adds the US writer and academic, who was based in Ireland for several years. 'It is arguable - some people might not characterise or categorise Barry Lyndon as Irish cinema.' She feels that the film has been historically underloved - but that that has changed. 'I thought it was quite interesting that Kubrick chose this project. He lived so very long in Britain, and saw himself as stepping outside of the Hollywood system to make his films. It was never going to suit him, because he wanted so much authority over the projects that he was never going to sit comfortably in the Hollywood system, and yet he used Hollywood studios to release his work.' While writing her book, Pramaggiore aimed to delve deeper into the circumstances behind the sudden departure of Kubrick and his production from these shores after several months of filming here. It was a shoot that didn't end conventionally, amid claims that Kubrick had come under IRA threat. Has she been able to piece together the final dramatic days of the production? 'I remain with question marks. It is a mystery. It speaks to, in some ways, both politics that could not be escaped at that time and in that place, Dublin in 1973 with the IRA campaign moving across the border. And also to the industry side of film - the debate about how the production ended was based on reports that there had been a bombing in the Phoenix Park on a day production was due to film there, and they did not film that day. And then there were reported phone calls to Kubrick: 'You better leave, or else; people are in danger'. It's always been reported threats. It took a very long time after they left - two more years - to finish production.' A scene from Barry Lyndon. As the richly detailed film - regarded by many as a masterpiece - returns to our screens, Pramaggiore feels its uniqueness continues to resonate with new and returning audiences. 'It was rolled out in very much an art film, masterpiece mode. It's a period drama. Fans of Ryan O'Neal might have been surprised, coming off of Love Story and Paper Moon. If you were a fan of Ryan O'Neal, and you rocked up to Barry Lyndon at three hours and 14 minutes with an intermission and the voice over and the inter-titles, you would have been confused.' Likewise, she feels that even Kubrick fans mightn't have been expecting Barry Lyndon at this time in the filmmaker's career. 'I would venture that Kubrick fans coming from 2001, A Clockwork Orange, Doctor Strangelove, they would not be expecting what I would call the sort of toxic masculinity that Kubrick did so well. He wouldn't have called it that, probably! He was very keenly aware of the problems of masculinity and warfare, so often a theme in his work.' Barry Lyndon returns to select cinemas from July 18
Irish Examiner
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Netflix reveals first image of Cillian Murphy in new film, Steve
Netflix has released the first image of Cillian Murphy in his forthcoming film, Steve. The 49-year-old Cork actor stars in the title role of a movie adapted from the novella Shy, by Max Porter. The released image shows a bearded Murphy leaning against a blackboard in a scene from the film which follows the titular headteacher at a reform school during a pivotal day in his life. Due for a limited cinema release in September, before appearing on Netflix from October 3, the impressive cast also includes Tracey Ullman and Emily Watson, as well as Simbi Ajikawo (better known as London rapper Little Simz). Murphy has had a strong association with British novelist Porter in recent years, having first appeared in a stage adaptation of his breakthrough novel Grief Is The Thing With Feathers in 2018, and also collaborating with him on short film All of This Unreal Time. Max Porter and Cillian Murphy at Triskel in Cork in 2023 for the Sounds From a Safe Harbour festival. Picture: Brid O'Donovan Both men are also listed as producers on Steve, and have signed up Tim Mielants to helm the film. Murphy first encountered the Belgian director while working on Peaky Blinders, and also enlisted him to direct the adaptation of Small Things Like These (2024). The release of the film in September ensures a busy month for Murphy and Porter as both are also involved in Cork festival Sounds From A Safe Harbour (Sept 11-14). The Oppenheimer star and his artist wife, Yvonne McGuinness, also recently revealed their plans to refurbish the Phoenix Cinema in Dingle, and turn it into an arts centre. Murphy has also been involved in the 28 Years Later trilogy of sequels with Danny Boyle, the director of 28 Days Later, the 2002 film that gave the Cork actor his international film break. While Murphy doesn't appear in the first of the trio of new films, he is expected to have a prominent role in the next instalment of the franchise, due in 2026.
Irish Examiner
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
10 highlights of Cork World Book Fest this weekend
Book Launch: Prisoner's Bodies by Oisin Wall, 5pm on April 25, the Dora Allman Room, The HUB, UCC Admission: Free Prisoners' Bodies is the first book on the history of the prisoner-driven movement that sought to revolutionise the prison system in Ireland between 1972 and 1985. The book, which charts the rise and fall of prisoners' organisations, their changing social networks, tactics, and splits, will be launched by prison historian Professor Catherine Cox; activist with the Irish Penal Abolition Network Dr Elizabeth Kiely; and Michael Donnelly who will speak about his experiences in Irish prisons in the 1980s. Irish Food History: A Companion, 5pm on April 25, The Farmgate Admission: Free One for the seasoned foodies, keen historians, and those merely curious about life, Irish Food History: A Companion takes the reader on an expert journey through Ireland's culinary past. Martin Mac an Iomaire and Grace Neville chat with Joe McNamee about Irish Food History: A Companion, winner of the Food & Drink book of the year 2024. Spoken Stories: Navigating the imaginative breadth of what it means to be alive today, 8pm on 25 April, Triskel Admission: €5 Commissioned from some of the most dynamic contemporary writers associated with Ireland and the short story, Spoken Stories is a theme-led trilogy of 36 original stories. Nuala O'Connor, Paul McVeigh, and Cork's own Colm Ó Ceallachain gather at the Triksel to tell tales, hosted by RTÉ culture and arts producer and editor Clíodhna Ní Anluain. Book Market on the Grand Parade, 10am to 4pm on April 26, Grand Parade Admission: Free Pop along to the annual book market, which offers an array of literary finds from some of the finest book sellers in Cork city and county. There will also be food to go on Grand Parade, as well as some produce and craft stalls. Get Published Day: Meet the Agents, 10am on April 26, Cork City Library Admission: Free People are invited to join Vanessa Fox O'Loughlin with Simon Trewin and Nicky Lovick at Cork City Library to find out what is required in a submission package and how to increase chances of success. One City One Book: Stone Mad by Seamus Murphy, 2pm on April 26, Cork Public Museum, Fitzgerald's Park Admission: Free Cork City Libraries' One City, One Book for 2025; Stone Mad by Seamus Murphy, published by Mercier Press, marks the 50th anniversary of the famous sculptor's death with a book launch by Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin and a walking tour with Eoghan Daltun. Seamus Murphy, Stone Mad. Beautiful, Wilful & Adrift, 7pm on April 26, Triskel Admission: €5 Irish novelists Kathleen Murray and Lisa Harding discuss their works with fellow writer Paul McVeigh. The conversation will discuss Murray's tragicomedy, her colourful players, and celebration of the heroism involved in fraternal love. Buile Shuibhne: Sweeney's Madness, 8.30pm on April 26, Triskel Admission: €5 People are invited to experience, for the first time in Cork, the multi-media staging of Sweeney's Madness featuring modern Irish and Scottish Gaelic versions by poet Rody Gorman, with live music by composer Seán MacErlaine and singer Diane Ni Channáin and screen projections by artist Margaret Lonergan. The Best of Everything, 3pm on April 27, River Lee Hotel Admission: Free, booking essential Award-winning writer Kit de Waal and Paul McVeigh discuss de Waal's latest novel The Best of Everything which is released this month. Kit de Waal's debut novel My Name Is Leon was an international bestseller. It was adapted for television by the BBC and is now on the GCSE curriculum for schools. Crime Time at the River Lee, 4.30pm on April 27, River Lee Hotel Admission: Free, booking essential Catherine Ryan Howard and Catherine Kirwan both celebrate their new thrillers, which are published this month. In a discussion with Swirl and Thread blogger Mairéad Hearne, they discuss how they continue to create suspense, page-turning, ingenious plots, and gripping conclusions.
