Barry Lyndon

Gentlemen, cock your pistols.

Gentlemen...

Barry's father had been bred,

like many other young sons of a genteel family,

- to the profession of the law. - One, two...

There is no doubt he would have made an eminent figure in his profession.

Three!

Had he not been killed in a duel,

which arose over the purchase of some horses.

Barry's mother, after her husband's death,

lived in such a way as to defy slander.

Many a man who had been smitten by the charms of the spinster

now renewed his offers to the widow.

But she refused all proposals of marriage,

declaring that she lived now for her son only

and the memory of her departed saint.

First love.

What a change it makes in a lad.

What a magnificent secret it is that he carries about with him.

The tender passion gushes instinctively out of a man's heart.

He loves as a bird sings

or a rose blows from nature.

Killarney.

Now, what shall it be?

Turn around and face the wall.

The object of Barry's attention,

and the cause of all his early troubles,

was his cousin.

Nora Brady by name.

I have taken the ribbon from around my neck

and hidden it somewhere on my person.

If you find it, you can have it.

You are free to look for it anywhere you will,

and I will think very little of you if you do not find it.

I cannot find it.

You haven't looked properly.

I cannot find it.

I'll give you a hint.

I feel the ribbon.

Why are you trembling?

At the pleasure of... of finding the ribbon.

You're a liar.

Company, forward!

March!

Company eyes!

About this time,

the United Kingdom was in a state of great excitement

from the threat, generally accredited, of a French invasion.

And the noblemen and people of condition

showed their loyalty by raising regiments of horse and foot

to resist the invaders.

Their scarlet coats and swaggering airs filled Barry with envy.

Company eyes!

Brady Town sent a company to join the Kilwangan regiment,

of which John Quin was the captain.

The whole country was alive with war's alarms,

the three kingdoms ringing with military music.

And ready!

Set!

Fire!

Redmond, what is the matter?

Nora, were you obliged to dance five times with Captain Quin?

I don't care a fig for Captain Quin.

He dances prettily, to be sure, and is a pleasant rattle of a man.

And he looks well in his regimentals too.

If he chose to ask me to dance, how could I refuse him?

But you refused me.

Oh, I can dance with you any day.

And to dance with your own cousin looks as though you could find no other partner.

Besides, Redmond, Captain Quin is a man.

And you're only a boy, and you haven't a guinea in the world.

If ever I should meet him again,

you will find out who is the best man of the two.

I'll fight him sword or pistol, captain as he is.

- Redmond, don't be so silly. - I mean it, Nora.

But Captain Quin is already known as a valiant soldier.

It is mighty well of you to fight farmers' boys,

but to fight an Englishman is a very different matter.

Best have your Englishman take you home.

Redmond!

Barry had resolved never to see Nora again.

But such resolutions, though they may be steadfastly held for a whole week,

are abandoned in a few moments of bleak despair.

No, Nora, no.

Except for you and four others,

I vow before all the gods

my heart has...

has never felt the soft flame.

Ah, you men.

You men, John.

Your passion is not equal to ours.

We are like... like some plant I've read of.

We bear but one flower and then we die.

But you... you...

you mean you never felt such an inclination for another?

Never, my John, but for thee.

- How can you ask me such a question? - Oh, Nora.

Nora was chaperoned by her brothers, Mick and Ulick,

whose interests would be much affected

by the favorable outcome of her affair with Captain Quin.

Redmond. So nice to see you.

Redmond!

How could you do this to me, Nora?

Redmond, in the name of heaven, what's the matter?

What are you talking about?

I... I think this might be an opportune moment to return something to you.

Thank you, Redmond.

I must have forgotten them somewhere.

Yes, you did, Nora.

Captain Quin, may I have the honor of introducing my cousin, Redmond Barry?

Miss Brady, it would appear

you have something to discuss in private with this young man.

Perhaps it would be best for me to withdraw.

Captain Quin, I have nothing to discuss with my cousin in private.

Miss Brady, it would appear you have a great deal to discuss in private.

Good heavens, Captain Quin.

He is but a boy and don't signify any more than my parrot or lapdog.

Oh, indeed? Are you then in the habit of giving...

intimate articles of your clothing to your parrot or lapdog?

Mayn't I give a bit of ribbon to my own cousin?

You're perfectly welcome, miss.

As many yards as you like.

When ladies make presents to gentlemen, it is time for other gentlemen to retire.

I have the honor to wish you both a good day.

Jack Quin, what's the matter here?

I'll tell you what it is, sir.

I've had enough of Miss Brady here and your Irish ways.

- Think you still, sir? - Well, well, what is it?

We'll make you used to our Irish ways, or we'll adopt English ones.

It is not the English way for ladies to have two lovers.

And so, Mr. Brady, I'll thank you to pay me the sum you owe me,

and I resign all claims to this young lady.

If she has a fancy for schoolboys, let her take 'em, sir.

Quin, you're joking.

I never was more in earnest.

John, wait.

Hang ya for a meddlin' brat.

Your hand is in everybody's pie.

What business had you to come quarreling here

with a gentleman who has 1,500 a year?

Redmond, me boy, take a seat.

Mrs. Brady and ladies, if you please.

This is the sort of toast that's drunk a great deal too seldom in my family,

and you'll please to receive it with all the honors.

Here's to Captain and Mrs. John Quin and long life!

Go on.

Kiss her, Jack, you rogue, for faith, you've got a treasure.

Come on, Jack, come on.

There's the man.

Oh!

Here's to a long and happy life together.

A long and happy life together!

Thank you. That was very kind, Mr. Brady.

Redmond.

Here is my toast to you, Captain John Quin.

You wretch!

How dare you behave like that in my house!

Mrs. Brady, take the children out.

Captain Quin, my dear fellow, are you all right?

In heaven's name, what does all the row mean?

The fact is, sir, the young monkey's fallen in love with Nora.

He found herself and the captain mighty sweet in the garden today,

and now he's for murdering Jack Quin.

And I'll tell you what, Mr. Brady.

I've been insulted grossly in this house.

I'm not at all satisfied with these here ways of going on.

I'm an Englishman, I am, and a man of property.

And as for this impudent young swine,

he should be horsewhipped.

Mr. Quin can have satisfaction any time he pleases

by calling on Redmond Barry, Esq., of Barryville.

Oh, I see.

I'll see the boy home.

A pretty day's work of it you've made, Master Redmond.

Knowing your uncle to be distressed for money,

and try and break off a match which will bring 1,500 a year into the family?

Quin has promised to pay off the £4,000 which is bothering your uncle so.

He takes a girl without a penny,

a girl that's flinging herself at the head of every man in these parts

these five years past,

and missing them all.

And you,

a boy who ought to be attached to your uncle as to your father ‒

And so I am.

And this is the return you make for his kindness?

Didn't he harbor you in his house when your father died?

Hasn't he given you and your mother, rent free,

your fine house of Barryville yonder?

Mark this and come what will of it.

I will fight the man who pretends the hand of Nora Brady.

I'll follow him if it's into the church and fight him there.

I'll have his blood, or he'll have mine.

Faith, and I believe you.

I never saw a lad more game in me life.

Give me a kiss, me dear boy.

You're after me own soul.

As long as Jack Grogan lives,

you shall never want a friend or a second.

Will you take my message to him?

Will you arrange a meeting?