1973
Roderick James flees Ireland after a duel, enlists in the Prussian army, deserts, and assumes a new identity as Barry Lyndon, becoming a gambler and spy. He marries the wealthy Countess of Cosgrove, adopting her name, but his ambition for a peerage and lavish spending lead to mounting debts and social ostracization, intensified by his stepson, Lord Brookside. The tragic death of his son, Patrick, plunges the Countess into depression and further deteriorates Barry's finances, prompting his mother to manage their affairs. Barry's attempt to secure a loan in London is thwarted when the Countess and Brookside conspire to have him arrested for debt, leading to his imprisonment and eventual demise as an impoverished bootblack.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Barry Lyndon follows the rise and fall of Roderick James, an ambitious Irishman who courts fortune through gambling and espionage, only to be undone by debt and betrayal.
Open full beat sheetRoderick James is listed as Protagonist. An ambitious, handsome, and reckless Irish adventurer who rises through society. In the parsed data, Roderick James is connected to 72 scenes, 33 dialogue lines, 36 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
72 scenes / 33 dialogue linesVictoria, Countess of Cosgrove is listed as Supporting. A wealthy, aristocratic widow who marries Roderick. In the parsed data, Victoria, Countess of Cosgrove is connected to 19 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 27.
19 scenes / 4 dialogue linesMrs. James is listed as Supporting. Roderick's proud and devoted mother. In the parsed data, Mrs. James is connected to 17 scenes, first appearing around scene 2.
17 scenes / 0 dialogue linesLord Brookside is listed as Antagonist. The Countess's son who despises Roderick. In the parsed data, Lord Brookside is connected to 10 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 21.
10 scenes / 6 dialogue linesPatrick Cosgrove is listed as Supporting. Roderick and the Countess's son. In the parsed data, Patrick Cosgrove is connected to 8 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 23.
8 scenes / 5 dialogue linesMrs. O'Reilly is listed as Supporting. Captain O'Reilly's wife. In the parsed data, Mrs. O'Reilly is connected to 5 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
5 scenes / 3 dialogue linesDorothy Dugan is listed as Supporting. Roderick's cousin and first love, a flirtatious woman. In the parsed data, Dorothy Dugan is connected to 3 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
3 scenes / 4 dialogue linesChevalier de Belle Fast is listed as Supporting. An Irish spy and gambler who mentors Roderick. In the parsed data, Chevalier de Belle Fast is connected to 3 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 13.
3 scenes / 2 dialogue linesSir William Cosgrove is listed as Supporting. The Countess's elderly, gout-ridden husband. In the parsed data, Sir William Cosgrove is connected to 2 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 20.
2 scenes / 1 dialogue linesCaptain Grogan is listed as Supporting. A friendly officer and mentor to Roderick. In the parsed data, Captain Grogan is connected to 1 scene, 7 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
1 scenes / 7 dialogue linesCaptain Galgenstein is listed as Antagonist. A Prussian officer who recruits Roderick. In the parsed data, Captain Galgenstein is connected to 1 scene, 1 dialogue line, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 13.
1 scenes / 1 dialogue linesMichael Dugan is listed as Supporting. Roderick's cousin. In the parsed data, Michael Dugan is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 5.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesCaptain O'Reilly is listed as Supporting. An adventurer in Dublin. In the parsed data, Captain O'Reilly is connected to 1 text mention.
0 scenes / 0 dialogue linesCaptain John Best is listed as Antagonist. An English officer and Roderick's rival.
0 scenes / 0 dialogue linesRoderick introduces his father's death in a duel.
Roderick JamesRoderick describes his mother's devotion after his father's death.
Roderick James, Mrs. JamesRoderick reflects on his mother's beauty and pride in him.
Roderick James, Mrs. JamesRoderick describes his Sunday attire and the admiration he and his mother receive.
Roderick James, Mrs. JamesRoderick introduces his cousin Dorothy Dugan and his early troubles.
Roderick James, Dorothy Dugan, Michael DuganRoderick describes Dorothy's flirtatious nature and his jealousy.
Roderick James, Dorothy DuganDorothy and Roderick race to a gate; Roderick lets her win.
Roderick James, Dorothy DuganRoderick offers to lend money to Mrs. O'Reilly after she claims to have been robbed.
Roderick James, Mrs. O'ReillyRoderick and Mrs. O'Reilly finish their meal while Roderick reflects on his situation.
Roderick James, Mrs. O'ReillyRoderick and Mrs. O'Reilly arrive in Dublin.
Roderick James, Mrs. O'ReillyArrival at the O'Reilly house.
Roderick James, Mrs. O'ReillyRoderick meets Captain O'Reilly and they have supper.
Roderick James, Captain Grogan, Mrs. O'ReillyRoderick arrives at the office and overhears the Minister and Captain Galgenstein discussing his role as a spy.
Roderick James, Captain Galgenstein, Chevalier de Belle FastRoderick arrives at the Chevalier's house to begin his assignment.
Roderick James, Chevalier de Belle FastRoderick confesses his true identity and mission to the Chevalier.
Roderick James, Chevalier de Belle FastRoderick arrives in Spa to continue his profession.
Roderick JamesRoderick is surrounded by crowds at the gaming table.
Roderick JamesRoderick observes the atmosphere of the casino.
Roderick JamesRoderick observes the Countess of Cosgrove and her family.
Roderick James, Victoria, Countess of Cosgrove, Sir William Cosgrove, Lord BrooksideRoderick and Sir William Cosgrove gamble and discuss marriage.
Roderick James, Sir William CosgroveRoderick arranges a grand dinner party with the help of the Earl of Crabs and Henri.
Roderick James, Lord BrooksideRoderick reviews his mounting debts with his accountant.
Roderick JamesRoderick drags Brookside by the ear while Patrick pleads for his brother.
Roderick James, Lord Brookside, Patrick CosgroveBrookside confronts Roderick with a pistol.
Roderick James, Lord BrooksideBrookside attacks his governor, Reverend Hunt.
Lord BrooksideBrookside and Patrick interact in the garden.
Lord Brookside, Patrick CosgroveA grand ball for Patrick's birthday ends in a confrontation between Brookside and the Countess.
Roderick James, Victoria, Countess of Cosgrove, Lord Brookside, Patrick CosgroveRoderick is shunned by society.
Roderick JamesRoderick has a tense encounter with the King and the Duke of Rutland.
Roderick JamesLord West dismisses Roderick's claims for a title.
Roderick JamesRoderick faces financial ruin as bills pile up.
Roderick JamesRoderick reflects on his failures.
Roderick JamesRoderick loses money at the gaming table.
Roderick JamesThe broker refuses to insure the Countess's life.
Roderick JamesRoderick buys a horse for Patrick.
Roderick JamesThe horse kicks a boy.
Roderick JamesRoderick instructs the horse-boy to take the horse to Doolan's farm.
Roderick JamesPatrick greets Roderick.
Roderick James, Patrick CosgrovePatrick discovers the horse's location.
Roderick James, Victoria, Countess of Cosgrove, Patrick CosgroveRoderick is told Patrick has gone to Doolan's farm.
Roderick JamesRoderick rides off to find Patrick.
Roderick JamesRoderick finds Patrick injured.
Roderick James, Patrick CosgroveDoctors attend to Patrick.
Roderick James, Victoria, Countess of Cosgrove, Patrick CosgrovePatrick asks for forgiveness and mentions Brookside.
Roderick James, Victoria, Countess of Cosgrove, Patrick CosgrovePatrick's funeral.
Roderick JamesRoderick shoots the horse.
Roderick JamesThe Countess descends into depression and visions.
Victoria, Countess of CosgroveRoderick faces financial ruin.
Roderick JamesRoderick's mother arrives.
Roderick James, Mrs. JamesMother manages the household staff.
Mrs. JamesRoderick and his mother discuss his situation.
Roderick James, Mrs. JamesMother ensures the house is quiet.
Mrs. JamesMother cares for a drunken Roderick.
Roderick James, Mrs. JamesMother brings Roderick a drink.
Roderick James, Mrs. JamesRoderick and his mother uncover a secret letter.
Roderick James, Mrs. JamesRoderick, the Countess, and his mother have a tense dinner.
Roderick James, Mrs. James, Victoria, Countess of CosgroveMother watches the Countess.
Mrs. James, Victoria, Countess of CosgroveRoderick and the Countess have a reconciliation.
Roderick James, Victoria, Countess of CosgroveRoderick and his mother discuss the Countess.
Roderick James, Mrs. JamesMr. Newcombe arrives.
Roderick JamesRoderick negotiates a loan with Newcombe.
Roderick JamesRoderick and his mother discuss the trip to London.
Roderick James, Mrs. JamesThe Countess tries to dissuade Roderick from going to London.
Roderick James, Victoria, Countess of CosgroveMother and Roderick discuss the Countess's motives.
Roderick James, Mrs. JamesRoderick and the Countess travel to London.
Roderick James, Victoria, Countess of CosgroveThe Countess is affectionate during the journey.
Roderick James, Victoria, Countess of CosgroveThey stop at an inn.
Roderick James, Victoria, Countess of CosgroveRoderick and the Countess plan their future.
Roderick James, Victoria, Countess of CosgroveRoderick and the Countess are intimate.
Roderick James, Victoria, Countess of CosgroveThey arrive in London.
Roderick James, Victoria, Countess of CosgroveThe Countess tries to stop Roderick from entering the office.
Roderick James, Victoria, Countess of CosgroveRoderick is trapped by the Countess and Brookside.
Roderick James, Victoria, Countess of Cosgrove, Lord BrooksideRoderick checks into a coffee house.
Roderick JamesTapewell offers Roderick an annuity to leave the country.
Roderick JamesMr. Tapewell offers Roderick an annuity to leave the country to avoid arrest for debt. Roderick accepts, but Lord Brookside enters with constables to arrest him anyway.
Roderick James, Lord BrooksideRoderick's mother visits him in prison.
Roderick James, Mrs. JamesThe Countess signs a payment draft for Roderick.
Victoria, Countess of CosgroveBrookside tears up the payment draft.
Lord BrooksideRoderick, now aged, works as a bootblack.
Roderick JamesRoderick and his mother in their final years.
Roderick James, Mrs. JamesThis day, three years ago, my last hope and pleasure in life was taken from me, and my dear child was called to Heaven. Where is his neglected brother, whom I suffered to grow up unheeded by my side, and whom the tyranny of the monster to whom I am united drove to exile, and, perhaps to death? I pray the child is still alive and safe. Charles Brookside! Come to the aide of a wretched mother, who acknowledges her crime, her coldness towards you, and now bitterly pays for her error! What sufferings, what humiliations have I had to endure! I am a prisoner in my own halls. I should fear poison, but then I know the wretch has a sordid interest in keeping me alive, and that my death would be the signal for his ruin. But I dare not stir without my odious, hideous, vulgar gaoler, the horrid Irish woman, who purses my every step. I am locked into my chamber at night, like a felon, and only suffered to leave it when ordered into the presence of my lord, to be present at his orgies with his boon-companions, and to hear his odious converse as he lapses into the disgusting madness of intoxication.
Roderick, you know well enough that I have never loved but you! Was I ever so wretched that a kind word from you did not make me happy? Ever so angry, but the least offer of good-will on your part did not bring me to your side? Did I not give a sufficient proof of my affection for you in bestowing one of the finest fortunes of England upon you? Have I repined or rebuked you for the way you have wasted it? No, I loved you too much and too fondly; I have always loved you. From the first moment I saw you, I saw your bad qualities, and trembled at your violence; but I could not help loving you. I married you, though I knew I was sealing my own fate in doing so, and in spite of reason and duty. What sacrifice do you want from me? I am ready to make any, so you will but love me, or, if not, that at least, you will gently us me.
My love, I wish I had known of your coming, for Bob Moriaty and I just finished the most delicious venison pasty, which His Grace the Lord Lieutenant, sent us, with a flash of sillery from his own cellar. You know the wine, my dear? But as bygones are bygones, and no help for them, what say ye to a fine lobster and a bottle of as good claret as any in Ireland? Betty, clear these things from the table, and make the mistress and our young friend welcome to our home.
You must be very cautious with regard to the company you should meet in Dublin, where rogues and adventurers of all countries abound. I hope you will do me the honor of accepting lodgings in my own house, where Captain O'Reilly will welcome with delight, my gallant young preserver.
Hang it, Mr. Roderick James, you have no more manners than a barber, and I think my black footman has been better educated than you; but you are a young fellow of originality and pluck, and I like you, sir. because you seem determined to go to the devil by a way of your own.
Sir, I have a confession to make. I am an Irishman, and my name is Roderick James. I was abducted into the Prussian army two years ago, and now I have been put into your service by my Captain and his uncle, the Minister of Police, to serve as a watch upon your actions.
After making suitable arrangements for the Chevalier's burial, in proper accord with his church, I traveled to Spa, which was now in season, alone, to continue my profession which formerly had the support of my friend and mentor.
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.
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