Review of Barry Lyndon (1975) by Norm D — 10 Aug 2016

A beautiful meander. A life from rags to ruin in 3-hrs, grateful for the Intermission. However, as Kubrick's film schoolmaster he would be marked down a full letter-grade for his awkward and inartful over-use of the zoom lens - a dozen extreme close-ups to straight-back full-wide pull-outs, & some similar push-ins.

More than the subtlest use of a zoom lens in a period piece from Geo Washington's time is awful, as is too much handheld (that injects an invisible cameraman into the scene). In spite of this the exposures, compositions, lighting, & candlelight low-lighting are gorgeous on Eastman 5254T.