Dir: Michael Lindsay-Hogg, 1982, 10 hrs (9*)
Irons, a painter, meets Andrews at college, and they become best friends, Irons eventually becoming a regular guest at the Brideshead Revisited estate where Andrews grew up; there we meet the rest of the family, and complex romance ensues. From the Evelyn Waugh novel, this is how books should be filmed: in several hours (the reading time?), leaving nothing out. The locations are lush and authentic, the story a bit slow for some, but lyrical and elegant overall.

This major PBS miniseries made Jeremy Irons a star, and won an Emmy for Laurence Olivier with Claire Bloom, Harry Andrews and Irons all also nominated (1 win but 11 nominations overall). A rare treat for those who love literary romanticism.