The acclaimed 1981 adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's Brideshead Revisited is available to stream completely free on ITVX, more than 40 years after it first captivated audiences. The 11-part Granada Television series, starring Jeremy Irons as Charles Ryder and Anthony Andrews as Lord Sebastian Flyte, is widely considered one of the finest adaptations ever to grace the small screen.
A Faithful Adaptation of Waugh's Novel
Staying true to Waugh's 1945 novel, it chronicles Ryder's life and romantic entanglements from the 1920s through the Second World War, while exploring his deep friendship with Sebastian and the wider aristocratic Flyte family, who reside in the magnificent Brideshead Castle - in reality Castle Howard in North Yorkshire.
Much of its success derives from its unwavering commitment to Waugh's original text. Producer Derek Granger and director Charles Sturridge ensured that 95% of the dialogue was lifted directly from the book, giving the series a literary weight that very few adaptations have managed to match.
Critical Acclaim and Awards
The production carries an extraordinary legacy. Time Magazine placed it amongst the 100 greatest TV programmes of all time, while The Guardian ranked it second on its list of the top 50 dramas in 2010. The British Film Institute also included it in its compilation of the 100 Greatest British Television Programmes, put together by industry professionals in 2000.
The series also received substantial praise during awards season, securing two Golden Globes, including Best Miniseries, while also collecting an Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series.
Viewer Reactions and Streaming Availability
Those who have returned to it in recent years seem equally enthralled. On IMDb, one reviewer described it as "the best miniseries ever made," commending 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 labelled it as "the finest series I've ever seen on television," attributing its success to a 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.
