Fans of Downton Abbey seeking another epic, sumptuously crafted period drama can now rediscover a genuine television landmark. The celebrated 1981 adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's Brideshead Revisited is available to stream free of charge on ITVX, over 40 years since it first mesmerised viewers.
A landmark adaptation
Featuring Jeremy Irons as Charles Ryder and Anthony Andrews as Lord Sebastian Flyte, the 11-part Granada Television series is regarded as one of the finest small-screen adaptations ever made. Remaining faithful to Waugh's 1945 novel, it follows Ryder's life and romantic entanglements from the 1920s through the Second World War, while examining his profound friendship with Sebastian and the broader aristocratic Flyte family, who inhabit the magnificent Brideshead Castle - actually Castle Howard in North Yorkshire.
The production boasts a remarkable legacy. Time Magazine ranked it amongst the 100 greatest TV programmes of all time, while The Guardian positioned it second on its roster of the top 50 dramas in 2010. The British Film Institute also featured it in its compilation of the 100 Greatest British Television Programmes, assembled by industry professionals in 2000.
Awards and acclaim
Much of its triumph stems from its dedication to Waugh's original text. Producer Derek Granger and director Charles Sturridge ensured that 95% of the dialogue was taken straight from the book, lending the series a literary gravitas that few adaptations have equalled. The series also garnered considerable acclaim during awards season, claiming two Golden Globes, including Best Miniseries, while also picking up an Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series.
Modern viewers respond
Those who have revisited it in recent years appear equally captivated. On IMDb, one reviewer hailed it as "the best miniseries ever made," praising its "beautiful" direction, "remarkable" cast and "amazing impact." Another wrote: "Everyone is of course entitled to an opinion about matters such as this, but how anyone can rate this series as anything less than a great milestone in television is, to my mind at least, quite difficult to understand." A third simply described it as "the finest series I've ever seen on television," crediting its flawless blend of music, locations and acting prowess.
For anyone who missed it originally, or wishes to revisit it in its entirety, the series is currently available to stream on ITVX.
