In Act I, titled By What Means Redmond Barry Acquired the Style and Title of Barry Lyndon, an all-knowing yet potentially unreliable narrator, voiced by Michael Hordern, recounts the turbulent life of Redmond Barry, played by Ryan O'Neal. The narrative begins in 1750s Ireland where tragedy strikes as Barry's father is killed in a duel over a horse sale. In the absence of her husband, Barry's mother, Belle, portrayed by Marie Kean, remains single, devoting her life to her only son.
As a young man, Barry's infatuation with his cousin, Nora Brady, portrayed by Gay Hamilton, leads him into heartbreak. Barry is captivated during a card game, but Nora's interest soon shifts to Captain John Quin, enacted by Leonard Rossiter. In a desperate attempt to win Nora's affection, Barry contemptibly challenges Quin, leading to a duel where he ultimately shoots Quin. With the law on his tail, Barry flees toward Dublin but soon falls prey to a notorious highwayman named Captain Feeney, played by Arthur O'Sullivan, who robs him of his possessions.
Desperate and dejected, Barry finds himself enticed by recruitment pitches for the British Army, promising fame and monetary rewards. He enlists but soon learns from Captain Grogan, a family friend played by Godfrey Quigley, that the duel was a ruse staged by Nora's family to rid themselves of him. Following a tragic series of events in the Seven Years' War, Barry's disillusionment leads him to desert the army. He cleverly dons the uniform of an officer and attempts to flee to neutral Holland, but is met by Prussian Captain Potzdorf, portrayed by Hardy Krüger, who offers him a stark choice: face execution or join the Prussian forces.
Barry becomes a reluctant soldier in the Prussian Army and earns acclaim for valor in saving Potzdorf's life during combat. After the war, he enters a new chapter of his life serving as an undercover agent for the Prussian Ministry of Police, working for the Chevalier De Balibari, enacted by Patrick Magee. Together, they navigate the world of gambling, with Barry helping the Chevalier cheat wealthy opponents at cards. Their adventures lead to confrontations with powerful figures, including the Prince of Tübingen, played by Wolf Kahler, who falsely accuses the Chevalier of cheating, forcing Barry to intervene on behalf of his friend.
Eventually, the Chevalier is expelled from Prussia, prompting Barry to take on his identity to escape. Their escapades take them across Europe until Barry sets his sights on a wealthy future. At a lavish gambling table in Spa, he encounters the stunning Countess of Lyndon, played by Marisa Berenson. Barry's charm leads to a courtship, and after the unfortunate demise of her elderly husband, he marries the Countess, adopting her surname.
Act II, titled Containing an Account of the Misfortunes and Disasters Which Befell Barry Lyndon, unveils a darker chapter in Barry's life after he relocates to England, living off the wealth of his new bride. However, tensions arise with Lady Lyndon's son, Lord Bullingdon, enacted by Dominic Savage, who harbors disdain towards Barry. This animosity escalates into a violent confrontation when Bullingdon accuses Barry of being an opportunist. Barry retaliates with abuse, leading to further family turmoil.
The marriage deteriorates as Barry's lavish spending habits and infidelities strain the bond. The arrival of Barry’s mother shocks him, as she warns that if Lady Lyndon were to die, all wealth would pass to Bullingdon, leaving Barry and their son Bryan Patrick, played by David Morley, destitute. Desperate to secure his status, Barry tries to ingratiate himself with the elite but is shunned after a public showdown at a party where Bullingdon reveals his grudges against Barry.
Barry indulges Bryan excessively, but tragedy strikes when Bryan’s improper riding leads to a fatal accident. Grief consumes Barry, turning him to alcohol, while Lady Lyndon seeks solace through religion. The family struggles deteriorate further as Barry continues on a self-destructive path. A duel ensuing from the earlier confrontation with Bullingdon culminates in a series of events that render Barry incapacitated and homeless.
Ultimately, Bullingdon regains control of the estate, forcing Barry into a life of gambling on the European continent. With the narrator noting Barry’s journey through time, the final scene highlights Lady Lyndon as she signs an annuity check for Barry, suggesting the poignant equality of fate as they all meet their end in a world where status and wealth become meaningless. The tale of Barry Lyndon exemplifies ambition, regret, and the ephemeral nature of fortune amidst the backdrop of 18th-century strife and intrigue.
