Please watch the ITV 1981 television series. I bought this boxed set and enjoyed all of it. I have not seen the new film version and never shall.
To say nothing happens is really quite a bizzarre statement, to say it is too British is like saying you don't understand the story at all.
Let us see, aristocracy, Oxford, Queen Elizabeth II, Rolls Royce, Lagonda, Catholasism, Church Of England and agnosticism not to mention drunkards, infidelity, devorce, prostitution, death and politics culminating in the second world war. Marking perhaps the actual turning point for the British Empire, the ending is naturally where the narator and main character brings it to the present day.
I think the 1981 television series is some of the very best screenplay ever made, beautifull, brilliant and wonderfull. It's worth watching for the cars and architecture at the very least.
http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/717285/Brideshead-Revisited-25th-Anniversary-Box-Set/Product.htmlIn fact as much as I can, being just an internet entity, I must erge you to see this series it's cheap enough so please do it is absolutely the best.