Brideshead Revisited on the big screen

brideshead revisted film itchy review october release matthew goode emma thompson michael gambon hayley atwell ben whishaw jeremy irons tv series waugh

Brideshead Revisited became one of the most popular television shows in British small-screen history when it aired in 1981, making household names of its stars Jeremy Irons and Anthony Andrews.

Directed by Julian Jarrold (Becoming Jane, Kinky Boots), this film is the first big-screen adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's classic novel. Brideshead is an evocative and poignant story of forbidden love and the loss of innocence, set in pre-World War II England, as the privileged aristocracy begin to fall into decline.

The story begins in 1925 at Oxford, when Charles Ryder (Matthew Goode) is befriended by the charming and flamboyant Sebastian Flyte (Ben Whishaw), son of Lord Marchmain.

brideshead revisted film itchy review october release matthew goode emma thompson michael gambon hayley atwell ben whishaw jeremy irons tv series waugh

Charles is soon seduced by both Sebastian and his world of wealth, glamour and outrageous behaviour and is thrilled when he is invited to Brideshead, the Flyte family's magnificent ancestral home.

Charles soon becomes infatuated with Sebastian's beautiful sister, Julia (Hayley Atwell). As his emotional attachment to the young Marchmains grows, Charles finds himself increasingly at odds with their deepest family bond, their Catholic faith.

Being condensed into 132 minutes, this adaptation lacks the time to effectively develop its central character. However, Emma Thompson makes a formidable Lady Marchmain and Michael Gambon is dependable as ever as Lord Marchmain.

The real star of this film Castle Howard, reprises its role as Brideshead after being used in the afore-mentioned television series.

Producer Kevin Loader extols its virtues: 'Some people think it is Brideshead. It is an unbelievable place and has an immediate impact on the screen. In the end it was just too good not to go back'.

With its illustrious British backdrops and tormented love affairs, this film will ultimately appeal mostly to the Atonement crowd.

Brideshead Revisited, in cinemas 3 October (12a)

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