Brideshead Revisited

Excellent series for the most part - the first "Sebastian half" is engaging with fantastic bit parts by Nickolas Grace (Anthony Blanche may be the single best character from any book adaptation ever) and Gielgud. The second "Julia half" is weaker because frankly the attraction between Charles and Julia isn't that believable, and Waugh's Catholic propaganda is so blunt towards the conclusion. Essential viewing for wannabe aristocratic bisexual decadents.

Deserves to be somewhere in the high 80s for the Sebastian part, somewhere in the low 60s for the Julia part. 100/100 every time Anthony Blanche is onscreen though, he's the best.

Pretty weird, not gonna lie

An adaptation that sacrifices so little of the original book cannot be said to be anything other than noble. Some other thoughts: • Irons is clearly too old to be cast as a student, although the casting comes into its own as Ryder ages into his thirties and forties; the same cannot be said for the Cordelia actress, who ages as if by magic from 14 to 40. • The whole series probably is too long, really. The fact that it takes around 15 minutes to flash back to the '20s is em... - Full Review

Superb adaptation of a book that is itself of questionable literary merit. Why bother with the remake? The strange twist whereby a previously marginal figure - Lord Brideshead - becomes almost the central figure in the last episode is interesting, but is only achieved for the sake of Waugh's ideological purpose, about which I have nothing good to say. The score is premised on looking past this. EJ 40, IF 35.

One of the best literary adaptations for television I have seen. The story loses a bit of momentum between the 'Sebastian' half and the 'Julia' half, but the pace soon resumes. The excellent casting of the lesser characters, such as Cordelia, Charles' father and Bridey, plus the closeness with which it follows the source, add much lustre to the main plot.

Partially brilliant, partially despicable. If it wasn't trying so hard to mindlessly proselytize, it would not have marred one of the most fascinating studies of growth, stagnation, and the gulfs in our relationships that I've seen. Very difficult to evaluate because it is so at odds with itself.

The second half isn't as good as the first, nevertheless this is a WONDERFUL story of friendship with EXCELLENT directing and even better acting. The whole cast was great, but Gielgud won the contest. LOVE IT !!!!

very good 10 out of 10

Good stuff.