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List Price: $59.99 | | Label: Acorn Media
Salesrank: 222
Released: October 10, 2006 |
| Our Price: $34.96 |
| Used Price: $34.95 |
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MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Epic story of three decades of the life of a young man, Ryder (Irons), who meets the Marchmain family and becomes wrapped up in their lifestyle, but who eventually comes to accept his own fate.
Genre: Television
Rating: NR
Release Date: 10-OCT-2006
Media Type: DVD
Description of Brideshead Revisited (25th Anniversary Collector's Edition):
Fill a bowl with alpine strawberries, break out the Château 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 |
Brideshead Revisited (25th Anniversary Collector's Edition) Reviews:
Back When TV Was (Occasionally) Great 
2008-09-04 - I saw Brideshead Revisited for the first time over 25 years ago on PBS. For a boy my age it proved strangely compelling and revealed a world to me I had never seen and never will. Then, a decade later, I was old enough to appreciate the book itself which I have read twice over the years. I can honestly say that the TV adaptation is faithful to the book. Unfortunately, I have not seen the film yet but hear it is a serious disappointment. This 1980s British take on Waugh was devoid of political machination and that's why it has aged so well. Regardless, the mini-series is timeless and I rented all four CDs last week. It's easy to see why this production launched the magnificent career of Jeremy Irons. He's always been one of my favorite actors and I thought Anthony Andrews was a joy as well.
A Beautiful masterpiece
2008-09-04 - I would have to give each episode 5 stars. This is a beautiful masterpiece. The acting is superb especially by Andrews and Irons. The production is one of a kind. I enjoyed this miniseries from start to finish. Granted there are parts that drag but it is still magnificent to look at. I am now going to read the book and hopefully the 2008 version will come to my town so I can see it.
Bridehead Revisited Review
2008-08-28 - After seeing the movie of Brideshead Revisited, my only conclusion can be that 4 CD set of Bridehead is far superior than the recent movie production. Having seen this production 25 years ago, made me realize just how great it really was and very much ahead of it's time. I recommend this CD set to everyone who enjoys superior acting and real art.
It was absolutely brilliant and historic.
Brideshead Revisited 25th Annaversery
2008-08-26 - I enjoyed this program on PBS many years ago. Seeing it again, it was even better than I remembered.
A MUST for all things British!!
2008-08-25 - If you like Merchant/Ivory productions, this series is for you. The acting is superb & the photography of the countryside/mansion interiors is to die for!! A wonderful story told amongst fabulous settings. A real plus for any DVD collection.
