Editor Reviews:

Amazon.com:
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

Rating : - BRIDESHEAD REVISITED: so good you'll revisit this set over and over and over
This 11-episode mini series is a must as the core portion of any British drama DVD collection. It shines on a level with "The Grand", "Monarch of the Glen", and "The Pallisers." The only drawback is that "Brideshead Revisited" lasts ONLY about 11 hours.

A WWII soldier finds his unit setting camp at an old English home known as Brideshead Castle. Yes, he has been there before. The memories of those days beginning in 1922 return with delightful results to the viewer. His recollection takes a trip through the entire Marchmain family who lived at Brideshead. Also endearing are many friends of the family. Captain Charles Ryder remembers his own involvement with every member of the group. The costumes are authentic and the scenery is even more thrilling. It's "bloody-fine" drama with many laughs woven throughout.

This 25th anniversary edition offers extras that are a must to view prior to beginning the series. It is a great way to get the overview needed of the actors, characters, story, and English history of the period. The length makes this set an economical value of top quality film viewing straight from the Evelyn Waugh novel.