Barry Lyndon | Stanley Kubrick

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Barry Lyndon was based in the 18th Century. It was filmed using natural lighting and candle light, instead of using electric lighting in each shot. The use of the natural light helped create a different atmosphere otherwise not gained in many other films where artificial lighting was the main source. As the film was based in the 18th century, electricity was not developed and so he candle light helps set the atmosphere to how it might have been at the time.

In the scenes outside, such as on the battlefield, in the vast open space, the lighting is often quite dull and the sir looks misty. It made the film look aged and I could notice when i watched the film that the scenes had not been lit in the same way to how other films have been for outside shots. However the dim lighting does make the scenes feel real, when compared to other costume dramas of a similar time, which use artificial lighting.

The interior shots were quite effective, especially the scenes shot in pure candle light. It must have been a challenge to produce such clear images and such a long film without the use of electric lighting. The candle light is not a constant source of light and emits a varying quantity of light. he flickering shadows create some beautiful effects on the characters faces. The lighting is can be dramatic, but also romantic depending on the number of candles and the framing of the shots. They show that time has passed, quite often the candle were very low showing a long time had been and that they were in constant use. Candles can give an old and aged feel to the shot as the glow emits an orange tone to the surrounding space: this can represent a dated appearance.

Some interiors had no candle light and were lit by the sun light streaming in through the windows creating a strong definition of the path the light took. To emphasise the amount of light shining through the window, Kubrick did use artificial lighting, but it was outside the shot, so the contrast between light and dark would be stronger. In some ways this could be seen as cheating or twisting the effect of not having just natural light, but i think that is the sunlight was stronger then the similar effect would have been produced in any case.

A particularly effective scene I liked was when Barry and his sep son were having a duel in a barn. The tense acting from the characters, the silent surrounding and the dramatic strong lighting shining though the openings of the walls and doors was very successful. The sunlight created natural spotlights in the shot and lit up the space in the barn being used. On the back wall he opening were in the shape of 2 crosses, which represents religion.

A particular element I admire from Kubricks film, was that he related the atmosphere and lighting of each shot to that of old paintings. Many stills from the film could easily be a painting from the 18th century of landscapes or portraits. The lighting is key in creating the films ambiance and real sense of time.