Stanley Kubrick is a director that many other filmmakers say made some of the finest movies ever, from 2001: A Space Odyssey to The Shining. Each film was unique.
In 1971, Warner Brothers released A Clockwork Orange, based on the novel by Anthony Burgess, which soon sparked much controversy and uproar.
In a futuristic welfare state, Alex (Malcolm McDowell), a vicious young hoodlum, sleeps all day and spends his nights roaming the city with his droogs (friends), striking innocent people in the streets and in their homes. Finally captured by the police, Alex undergoes rehabilitation in the form of aversion therapy as brutal and horrifying as any of his crimes.
Not long after its release in the UK, reports in the press stated that copycat crimes were being committed by young men. It reached a fever point when Kubrick himself withdrew the film from distribution in the UK (although strangely available everywhere else in the world). It was only after the director passed away that it was finally legally available to view in Britain.
Viewed today, the film is still shocking, especially the first half, and you have to imagine the impact it had back in the early 1970’s when cinema censorship was becoming more relaxed. Scenes such as when they run into a homeless man, they beat him up simply because they find it amusing and comical. Also, the home invasion and rape scene really emphasise the point of them not caring or having consequences for their actions.
The second half concerns the capture of Alex, who volunteers for a controversial, experimental behavioural modification treatment that, at its completion, will see him immediately released.
Malcolm McDowell gives his best performance as Alex, brooding and intense. He acts sophisticated and believes he is better than all others. He is truly psychopathic and unpredictable.
The synthesised music score only adds to the otherworldly and odd atmosphere the film projects. Is it an enjoyable film to watch ?… No, it’s not meant to be; it is disturbing and asks more questions than answers, but Kubrick yet again gives us a film that gets you thinking and provokes debate about law and justice.
In the UK, especially, the film reached almost mythical status because it was not available to view, forbidden fruit if you like. Seeing it today, you can see why it caused such an uproar, but it still stands as great and thought-provoking storytelling and shows that Kubrick was a master at his craft. I’m sure that after seeing this film for the first time, the song “Singing in the Rain” will never seem the same again.
Available on Blu-ray and 4K UHD.
FILM – 8 OUT OF 10
