"Based on William Makepeace Thackeray's novel, this gorgeously painted tale yields a slow-moving portrait of a young Irishman (Ryan O'Neal) who moves up the social ladder through soldiering, spying and a marriage to a wealthy countess (Marisa Berenson). Although this Stanley Kubrick-directed film was a box office flop, it was eventually recognized as a masterpiece, winning four Academy Awards (including Best Cinematography)."