BARRY LYNDON
A screenplay by
Stanley Kubrick
Based on the novel by William Makepeace Thackeray
FADE IN:
Brief shot of duel.
RODERICK (V.O.)
My father, who was well-known to the best circles in this kingdom under the name of roaring Harry James, was killed in a duel, when I was fifteen years old.
Mrs. James, talking with a suitor; Roderick, at a distance.
RODERICK (V.O.)
My mother, after her husband's death, and her retirement, lived in such a way as to defy slander. She refused all offers of marriage, declaring that she lived now for her son only, and for the memory of her departed saint.
Mother and son walking together.
RODERICK (V.O.)
My mother was the most beautiful women of her day. But if she was proud of her beauty, to do her justice, she was still more proud of her son, and has said a thousand times to me that I was the handsomest fellow in the world.
Mother and son entering church.
RODERICK (V.O.)
The good soul's pleasure was to dress me; and on Sundays and Holidays, I turned out in a velvet coat with a silver-hilted sword by my side, and a gold garter at my knee as fine as any lord in the land. As we walked to church on Sundays, even the most envious souls would allow that there was not a prettier pair in the kingdom.
A picnic. The Dugan family. Roderick.
RODERICK (V.O.)
My uncle's family consisted of ten children, and one of them was the cause of all my early troubles; this was the belle of the family, my cousin, Miss Dorothy Dugan, by name.
A sprawling run-down Irish manor house with large garden, stables, barn and farm.
Idealized images of Dorothy.
RODERICK (V.O.)
Ah! That first affair, how well one remembers it! What a noble discovery it is that the boy makes when he finds himself actually and truly in love with some one! A lady who is skilled in dancing or singing never can perfect herself without a deal of study in private. So it is with the dear creatures who are skilled in coquetting. Dorothy, for instance, was always practicing, and she would take poor me to rehearse her accomplishments upon...
Dorothy talking with the exciseman.
RODERICK (V.O.)
... or the exciseman, when he came his rounds.
Dorothy talking to the steward.
RODERICK (V.O.)
... or the steward.
Dorothy sitting under a tree with the curate, reading a book.
RODERICK (V.O.)
... or the poor curate.
Dorothy talking to the apothecary's lad.
RODERICK (V.O.)
... or the young apothecary's lad from Dugan's Town whom I recollect beating once for that very reason.
Roderick, fighting with apothecary's lad.
RODERICK (V.O.)
The torments of jealousy she made me endure were horrible.
Dorothy, like a greyhound released from days of confinement, and given the freedom of the fields at last, runs at top-speed, left and right, back and forth, returning every moment to Roderick.
She runs and runs until she is out of breath, and then laughs at the astonishment which keeps Roderick motionless and staring at her.
After catching her breath, and wiping her forehead, she challenges Roderick to a race.
RODERICK
I accept, but I insist on a wager. The loser must do whatever the winner pleases.
DOROTHY
Agreed.
RODERICK
Do you see the gate at the end of the field? The first to touch it will be the winner.
They line up together and start on a count of three. Dorothy uses all her strength, but Roderick holds back, and Dorothy touches the gate five or six paces ahead of him.
RODERICK (V.O.)
I was certain to win, but I meant to lose to see what she would order me to do.
Dorothy catches her breath, thinking of the penalty. Then she goes behind the trees and, a few second later, comes out and says:
DOROTHY
Your penalty is to find a cherry-colored ribbon which I have hidden somewhere on my person. You are free to look for it anywhere you will, and I will think very little of you if you do not find it.
They sit down on the grass. Roderick searches her pockets, the fold of her short bodice and her skirt, then her shoes; then he turns up her skirt, slowly and circumspectly, as high as her garters, which she wears upon the knee. He unfastens them and finds nothing; he draws down her skirt and gropes under her armpits. The tickling makes her laugh.
RODERICK
I feel the ribbon.
DOROTHY
Then you must get it.
Roderick has to unlace her bodice and touch her pretty breasts, over which his hand must pass to reach it.
DOROTHY
Why are you shaking?
RODERICK
With pleasure at finding the ribbon.
Military review. One hundred English troops, a few mounted officers, a small military band, fifty local people.
The Dugan family, Roderick and his mother, Captains Best and Grogan.
Roderick admires the troops in their splendid uniforms.
RODERICK (V.O.)
About this time, the United Kingdom was in a state of great excitement from the threat generally credited of a French invasion. The noblemen and people of condition in that and all other parts of the kingdom showed their loyalty by raising regiments of horse and foot to resist the invaders. How I envied them. The whole country was alive with war's alarums; the three kingdoms ringing with military music, while poor I was obliged to stay at home in my fustian jacket and sigh for fame in secret.
Dorothy and Roderick entering.
RODERICK (V.O.)
Once, the officers of the Kilwangen regiment gave a grand ball to which Dorothy persuaded my to take her.
Several cuts depicting the evening.
Dorothy ignores Roderick; dances, chats, laughs, drinks punch, and finally, strolls outside with Captain Best.
Roderick makes a half-hearted try at dancing with Miss Clancy.
RODERICK (V.O.)
I have endured torments in my life, but none like that. Some of the prettiest girls there offered to console me, for I was the best dancer in the room, but I was too wretched, and so remained alone all night in a state of agony. I did not care for drink, or know the dreadful comfort of it in those days; but I thought of killing myself and Dorothy, and most certainly of making away with Captain Best.
The guests leaving and saying their goodbyes.
RODERICK (V.O.)
At last, and at morning, the ball was over.