Brideshead Revisited

“Brideshead Revisited” tells a story of social classes, love triangles, family honour and religion. It follows Charles Ryder, a talented young man and would-be artist, who befriends the Marchmain family. At their Brideshead estate, the son, Sebastian, is partial to Charles, who himself soon falls in the throes of young love with the daughter Julia. Even though Charles finally leaves Brideshead, his ties with the Marchmain family are never truly severed, and he finds himself visiting the estate again over the next decade, until World War II when he is stationed in the area.

The story is so intricate that a full-length feature does not seem the obvious choice to adapt Evelyn Waugh's work. Indeed, the TV series into which it was previously adapted had more room for all the complex subplots. Nevertheless, this new format allows for much more depth and ethos than the separate episodes format did. It also makes the adaptation far more consistent, in terms of photography, directing and writing.

When watching “Brideshead Revisited”, it is hard not to engage immediately with the story. The flamboyance of aristocratic life as seen through the eyes of Charles Ryder contrasts with his former student life, and we are thus more prone to accept the new environment that will dominate the rest of the film. Obviously, acting plays a major part in the process, and Emma Thompson's cold performance as Lady Marchmain gives yet another dimension to an already very complex film.

“Brideshead Revisited” is, in summary, an interesting film that will entertain you, move you, and be more than a simple joyride.

Pierre Schramm