Is Brideshead Revisited (1981) the perfect book-to-screen adaptation?
By Thomas Mirus and James Majewski ( bio - articles - email ) | May 07, 2026 | In Criteria: The Catholic Film Podcast
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Brideshead Revisited is much discussed as a beloved Catholic novel. But it is also perhaps the only instance of a great book getting a screen adaptation that is equally good—almost to the point of being interchangeable with the book. We refer, of course, to the 1981 miniseries, not the 2008 movie! James Majewski, Nathan Douglas, and Thomas Mirus discuss what makes this series such a great work of adaptation.
Criteria is hosted by Thomas V. Mirus and James T. Majewski.
Thomas is President of Trinity Communications, Editor-in-Chief for CatholicCulture.org and hosts both the Catholic Culture Podcast and Lives of the Popes. See full bio.
James is Vice President of Trinity Communications and Director of Customer Relations for CatholicCulture.org as well as the host and narrator for Catholic Culture Audiobooks. See full bio.
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Posted by: Thomas V. Mirus -
May. 11, 2026 10:38 PM ET USA
Here is the BookDrum link: https://web.archive.org/web/20160403072418/http://www.bookdrum.com/books/brideshead-revisited/9780141182483/bookmarks-126-150.html?bookId=199
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Posted by: kr9774 -
May. 11, 2026 8:35 PM ET USA
What is the link to the archive.org page of Brideshead Revisited historical references that you mentioned? Thanks!
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Posted by: mark.f.santschi7460 -
May. 08, 2026 6:02 PM ET USA
Thanks! I've been intrigued many times that I should read the book, but there is so much to read! I'm grateful for the recommendation.
