A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Violence perpetrated on society becomes violence perpetrated by society
Starring: Malcolm McDowell, Patrick Magee, Adrienne Corri, Miriam Karlin
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Running Time: 131 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: 18
Crime, Drama, Science Fiction
On DVD Malcolm McDowell stars as Alex, leader of a gang of young 'droogs', who wreak havoc and perpetrate 'ultra-violence' wherever they go. Rape, mugging, fighting and murder are everyday activities for them. But there's more to Alex than violence - he's a boy with family problems, who likes Beethoven's Ninth, and is trying to deal with his world as best he can.
It all goes wrong for Alex when he is involved in a violent murder, arrested and imprisoned. While in prison, he is offered the opportunity to try a new 'treatment' for violence - a form of brainwashing or aversion therapy. Keen to be free once more, he agrees, but never realises how much of what is important to him will be taken from him during the treatment.
This is Kubrick's astonishing commentary on violence in society, long withdrawn by its director after public outcry, and finally available once again to audiences. The violence in this film is extreme but wholly necessary to understanding who Alex is, what he is about, and ultimately what is done to him. One is left questioning whether goodness imposed through lack of free will is not just as violent as the behaviour of a bunch of teenage thugs. Malcolm McDowell deserves particular plaudits as the disturbing but sympathetic Alex - he has to be likeable for the film to work, but without condoning the violence which he carries out, and McDowell achieves this perfectly. Music plays a significant part in the film, and the choice and use of the music does its job admirably. This is an outstanding and definitive film, which has made audiences think for more than thirty years and remains as relevant today as when it was made.
DVD Extras: Given the film's age, it's not surprising that there is little to include, although there have certainly been documentaries about it over the years that would have made an interesting addition.
Extras: Trailer
It's Got: An outstanding performance by Malcolm McDowell. Plenty to think about.
It Needs: A strong stomach to cope with some of the violence.
Alternatives: Trainspotting, Fight Club
Summary: One of Kubrick's greatest masterpieces and a definitive film of its age. Has as much impact as a baseball bat to the head, but is much more enjoyable.
Review by Andrea Chee
Review Date: 5th April 2003
External Links
A Clockwork Orange at the IMDB
Comments8 Comments |
| "I think cwa is one of the most complete movies I've ever seen. Ofcourse, its a violent movie etc. But strangely, this violence goes along with lot of humor as well. The battle with the catwoman for example is also very funny. At an other level, the movie is very dramatic. I symphasize with little Alex and his environment. One could call it purely a cynical approach, but I realy feel with Alex in a strange twisted sort of way. The same thing can be heard during the movie. Most of the score derives from Beethoven. Its often plastic, strange but surely not without a beatiful dynamic. The movie tells something about the human inner complexity. Very intense, very absurd and very true..." |
| Comment by:- erik van de langkruis | | 26 July 2004 | ip: logged |
| This is my favorite movie ever. . .com on it is a classic relaxing movie to watch. . doesnt matter if theres violence in there thats what makes the movie so thrilling. VIDDY WELL |
| Comment by:- brandon | | 28 July 2004 | ip: logged |
| This films emotional complexity is awesome and unfortunately many people did not understand this and it got labelled a video nasty. But don't people fear what they don't understand? This film is glorious because its stripped and raw and isn't glossed over or contain a happy lalala ending or an ending which innevitably leads to a sequel. My only regret being that the ending differs from the book . Still this movie is a lesson to all the commercial talentless pricks in hollywood. |
| Comment by:- grant | | 28 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| This is one sick a twisted amazing movie. Many movies in the past that were considered violent for the time are not that violent by today's standards. Yet this movie stands the test of time for violence, choreography and direction. This movie is set in the future but does not give a date which is good and is where many movies make a mistake. Example 'I. Robot' says the film takes place in 2034. In 2034 if the world does not look like the film predicted the film looks dated. The film is not dated one bit. It is still very shocking and disgusting in some of the scenes. The First half of the movie was beyond weird and demented but was still ok. But after that the films becomes and riviting film with many memeorable scenes. This is a masterpiece like no other. |
| Comment by:- Mark .J | | 04 September 2004 | ip: logged |
| i am a media student and i have only seen the first 5 minutes, but at the same time it has intrested me in an odd way. it's a timeless story which i feel can be relevent to todays times m as much as it was back then, and i think it will still be relevent to social behaviour in years to come. Alex is a character that you dislike but at the same time like as well. i think from what i'v seen i can't wait to watch the rest. |
| Comment by:- Raquelle | | 29 September 2004 | ip: logged |
| Brilliant Film. Gives a sense of complete desensitization! |
| Comment by:- Chris | | 13 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| Ultra Violence!!!!! Likin the work! |
| Comment by:- Chaff Type Dude | | 13 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| [orange] Not many films can claim to be the worst film made, but a Cockwank Lemon is one of them. [/orange] Why? It only commits to film the corporal sin - boredom. It is a triumph of tedium. |
| Comment by:- Stanley Laurelbrick | | 03 April 2005 | ip: logged |
