A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Medium level violence
| Director: | Stanley Kubrick |
| Actors: | Malcolm McDowell, Patrick Magee, Miriam Karlin, Adrienne Corri |
Stamping, whomping, stealing, singing, tap-dancing, violating. Derby-topped teddy-boy hooligan Alex (MALCOLM MACDOWELL) has his own way of having a good time. He has it at the tragic expense of others. Alex's journey from amoral punk to brainwashed proper citizen forms the dynamic arc of Stanley Kubrick's future-shock vision of Anthony Burgess' novel. Unforgettable images, startling musical counterparts, the fascinating language used by Alex and his pals - Kubrick shapes them into a shattering whole. Hugely controversial when first released, A Clockwork Orange won the New York Film Critics Best Picture and Director honors and earned four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.
| Status: | QuickPick |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 131mins |
| Origin: | UNITED KINGDOM |
| Aspect Ratio: | 1.66 |
| Run Time: | 131mins |
|---|---|
| File Size (Approx): | 1.2 GB |
A Clockwork Orange
by Jess Lomas, 12/06/2012 4:17:00 PM
“You’ll never be able to watch Singin’ in the Rain the same way again.” This is often the warning that accompanies the 1971 adaptation of Anthony Burgess’ A Clockwork Orange, which Stanley Kubrick wrote, directed and produced. Alex (Malcolm McDowell) narrates and leads this ultra-violent story, as he and his gang of “droogs” - Pete, Georgie and Dim - embark on a crime spree including theft, rape, and eventual murder. Alex is incarcerated but is chosen for a controversial rehabilitation experiment that utilises psychological conditioning to “cure” criminals, which may prove to be Alex’s saving grace. What initially impresses is the unusual manner in which Alex narrates; called Nadsat, it is a combination of Slavic and cockney English rhyming slang. While one does become accustomed to it, ...
“You’ll never be able to watch Singin’ in the Rain the same way again.” This is often the warning that accompanies the 1971 adaptation of Anthony Burgess’ A Clockwork Orange, which Stanley Kubrick wrote, directed and produced.
Alex (Malcolm McDowell) narrates and leads this ultra-violent story, as he and his gang of “droogs” - Pete, Georgie and Dim - embark on a crime spree including theft, rape, and eventual murder. Alex is incarcerated but is chosen for a controversial rehabilitation experiment that utilises psychological conditioning to “cure” criminals, which may prove to be Alex’s saving grace.
What initially impresses is the unusual manner in which Alex narrates; called Nadsat, it is a combination of Slavic and cockney English rhyming slang. While one does become accustomed to it, it is, at first, jarring for those unfamiliar. Thankfully, if one can make it past the Nadsat (and past the violent scenes), they may find themselves rewarded by a stylish and surprisingly modern film.
Set in a futuristic England, the movie impresses on several levels but perhaps more so for the set design and costumes, as well as the soundtrack, which resonates and chills. While the combination of these elements screams Kubrick, they also don’t date the picture, instead providing a glimpse of an out of control society that could exist today.
A Clockwork Orange is a film that demands repeat viewings to comprehend the many subtleties that could go unnoticed amongst the dry wit and lush language. Ultimately what makes this one to seek out is McDowell’s performance, which sways between psychotic and sympathetic; it is a testament to his portrayal of Alex that made me keep watching beyond the debauchery on display in the opening act.
While considered a classic amongst Kubrick devotees, and earning itself an impressive four Academy Award nominations – for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Film Editing and Best Adapted Screenplay – many will find the film disorientating and challenging. For style alone, A Clockwork Orange is unquestionably a British classic that further rewards the more you open your mind. A word of warning however; this is not for the fainthearted.
3.5/5
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Member Reviews (42)
42 Member
Reviews
says
Worse.Movie.Ever. Could not watch beyond the first 20 minutes. I love arty movies and have a very open mind, but this was contrived, pretentious dribble. No wonder Anthony Burgess hated this adaptation of his novel.
Laura
says
Love this movie. Makes you think. Very good acting, can be slow in parts but well worth waiting.
Theo
says
One of a few of my favourite movies, amazing film.
Raymond
says
This is a fantastic arthouse film. Such excellent characters and an interesting story line. Malcolm McDowell plays this role so well. Watched it numerous times, I'd recommend it. One of the first flicks of that era to expose such violent and graphic scenes in cinema.
McLovin
says
Amazing film, I really enjoyed it.
craig ruth
says
totally lost interest in the end of this movie still a bit of aclassic
Melissa
says
This is my best friends favourite movie and I can see why. It is a well constructed movie with its graphical moments for the weak hearted. Great acting for that era. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Christy
says
This movie is disturbing in every sense of the word. It is very thought provoking and really pokes at gang violence, but I did feel a little scarred after watching this. Not recommended for regular viewing. Seeing it once is enough!
Andrew
says
Woah....what was Kubrick on when he made this? I can see why he went on to make Eyes Wide Shut. I wasn't particularly in to the whole craziness of this film, but the humour really got me in. Whether it was intended or not is a different story I think. Malcolm McDowell is really good amongst the cast of weird characters that feature in his weird life. I mean, what is with his mother and the PVC and multi-coloured wigs? The fast-forward menage a trois is one of the funniest sex scenes in cinema history. Like the whole film, bizarre but funny.
Angel
says
What the? Loved it
John
says
Definately a different sort of a show, I had seen it years ago
Jeanette M.
says
Considered a cult classic - and I can see why.
I found it very hard to stick with as it is so slow, and a bit dated: The '60's vision of society's future made me shake my head a laugh at first, but is thought provoking if you look past the absurdity. Just how important is someones life/ freedom / sanity?
John Blackhorse
says
Revolutionary, Bold, Brilliant, Strangely Captivating,
A must see for all film gurus...!!!
Okto F.
says
A very modern look and thought for a movie that's made in 1971.
Earth.W
says
Odd and weird. This movie which I believe and correct me if I'm wrong has become a bit of a cult classic. Possibly for its weirdness.
It certainly is an interesting movie. Fast paced for the first hour then slows down to half the pace which makes it become somewhat boring in the second half. The feeling you get that the movie should end NOW but it keeps rolling on.
Kristina M.
says
Stanley Kubrick must have been on something very disturbing but also very real.
Emily
says
A great movie with a peculiar, yet interesting language to it. One of the best movies I have seen in a long time. Not for the faint of heart though!
Phill D.
says
Joanne H.
says
Love the language of this film - found the story line the most original even for the 21st Century. Not as concerned with the violence as critics in the 70's would have found. Definitely worth watching
Domenic Z.
says
The first half of this movie is really messed up, but then settles down and is much more watchable.
John L.
says
Why was this an award winning movie not to be missed? Sorry but what utter crap.
Sarah A.
says
Haven't seen this movie for about 20 years but well worth another look. The plot was a lot deeper than I realised when I first saw it and really asked the question whether criminals could be rehabilitated through methods other than the conventional ones. Really enjoyed seeing it again after all this time.
lucy
says
Murray B.
says
Could not last long watching this. A gratuitous, debauched display of sexual violence. STAY AWAY FROM THIS.
RoyF
says
this may be a twisted and sick movie but it does have some class it shows things that like seeing and a very enjoyable movie that i liked very much.
Jid O.
says
Stylish, artistic, bleakly comic and very affecting. This film was worth waiting for and lived up to 30 years worth of 'banned' hype.
A film like this renews your faith in the power of cinema to do slightly more than entertain...
CRAMAR
says
A classic Kubrick, that was cutting-edge in it's time, but is now very dated and somewhat implausible.
Peter B.
says
It has the same impact today (and relevance) as the day it was released.
Rone W.
says
One of the great classics of cinema.
Therese
says
very strong sex and violent movie, way ahead of its time in the 1970. wonder it was allowed by censors. couldn't stay with this one
Paul G.
says
Well Stanley Kubrick is renound for contraversial movies. This movie was banned for many years due to its graphic voilence and sex but once released it seems tame by todays standards. Lots of violence but not much plot or storyline, worth watching to tell your friends you have seen it, other than that forget it.
Matthew Ricker
says
Wierd to say the least. Mind altering substances had to be in use when this was both written and produced!
Peter Lang
says
A bit too weird for my liking!
Robert Zerk
says
In a week(15/11/2004) where locally a 16yr old and a 14yr old have murdered an old Man in his home ; and A little further afield less the 160 kms another youth stabbed to death a Rival (in Something).
I wonder how much further Society has moved from the Dog Eat Dog World of Alex's early 1970's.
Did Stanley Kubrick Glance 30 years into the future for his inspiration. A very confronting Movie.
Geoff Foster
says
Somehow I have never managed to see this masterpiece before, in the 30 odd years it's been out. But it doesn't data at all (even the 70s fashions are coming round again). A movie for the present, that should be a dire warning for those who don' t believe that governments and corporations can treat people with total lack of compassion.
Sandra Valimberti
says
If you can stand it! Too 'out-there' for my tastes, but worth a look if you're interested in "WEIRD".
Kristy Hughes
says
Only people with a twisted sense of humour will enjoy this movie, so if your a little left of centre you will love it!
Chris Luchsinger
says
Cinefile
says
Jocelyn Fulton
says
Thought provoking movie about the nature of violence and personal freedoms. Well worth it if you can make it past the first 20 minutes.
Lenny
says
I decided to rent this movie to see why it is considered a classic... and after watching it I have decided that Stanley Kubrick was one sick dude. It is a violent and disturbing film, but at the same time it really does make you think....
C
says