MovieChat Forums > Brideshead Revisited (1982) Discussion > Beverage Question

Beverage Question

posted 12 years ago by Gypsyohara
11 replies | jump to latest

Hello Fans of Brideshead Revisited,
I'm hoping not to sound to triffeling.
During the first episode, at the end of the dinner with Jawkins, Mr. Ryder (senior-John Guilgouds character) has a beverage after all have gone (as he and Charles are discussing the evening). It doesn't look like wine or appertiffe (in fact he mentions earlier in the episode that wine is "forbidden him").
The beverage looks like a watery-milkish substance. I think "Bridey" (the older brother of Sebastian) has something like it in the second episode, as well, although I might be wrong about that.
I was wondering if anyone might hazaard a guess as to what it was? Or if someone who has read the book would know what it is?
I thought it might be bicarbonate of soda (after dinner, stomach settling) but I confess, I'm curious to distraction.
Thanks for any ideas.
Gypsyohara in FL

[–] murdoch1111 12 years ago

@gypsyohara

It's difficult to tell what various people drink in the series. You might try to get hold of the book and see what is said about liquor et cetera in it.--It's been years since I read the book, so I don't remember much about it.

[–] Kykuit 12 years ago

Hmmm, I'll have to check the book. But don't you love John G in the role?

[–] murdoch1111 11 years ago

@ Kykuit on Fri Jun 8 2012 20:31:04

A belated YES! John Gielgud is superb in the role.

[–] murdoch1111 12 years ago

@Gypsyohara on Tue Jun 5 2012

I have just viewed the episode in question. The beverage resembles bottled liquids I have seen in England, but I'm not certain what it is.

Later: On reflection, I think it may be some sort of bromide. You recall Ned Ryder's saying that his doctors have forbidden him to drink wine. He may be drinking something to help his digestion.

Whatever the case, the beverage is an unappealing color.

[–] dizexpat 11 years ago

You've aroused my curiosity again about "Ned Ryder" (or "Edward Ryder" as the end credits in the series refer to him.)

The only people he is ever seen talking to, Charles, Jorkins and Hayter, the butler, would never call him by his first name.

So, how do we know what it is?

It's possible that the novel contains a scene with him that isn't in the series in which his name is mentioned.

But I don't recall any such scene in the novel.

Hair today. Goon tomorrow.

[–] murdoch1111 12 years ago

@Gypsyohara on Tue Jun 5 2012

I too am hoping not to sound trifling: The man's name is spelled "Jorkins."

[–] tovangar2-321-223220 11 years ago

Just some squash I should think, or lemonade.

Some people really can't drink, Richard E. Grant for example, who was famously "drunk" all through "Withnail & I". Missing an enzyme or something that deals with alcohol in the body.

[–] studmufn 11 years ago

I just finished watching "Brideshead Revisited" and I noticed that the opaque beverage that you mentioned is also in the very last episode as well. When Lord Marchmain is brought home to die his meals are served to him in his room. At one point the same beverage is brought to him. When I saw this I immediately thought it might be a lemonade sort of drink because that is certainly what it appeared to be.

[–] thewickermanuk 11 years ago

You can probably find the answer here www.abbotshill.freeserve.co.uk/Brideshead.html

[–] morleys 10 years ago

I assumed it was barley water.