Of course, A Clockwork Orange isn't for everyone. It's an X-rated film that contains rape scenes and torture and pretty much anything that could make someone uncomfortable, but it's also a brilliant film with grand ambitions. Sure the film's message gets a little muddled near the end, and it isn't always clear what the intention is, and it tends to occasionally lose its way, but that isn't a reason to discount it. Thanks in large part to Kubrick, A Clockwork Orange feels like jazz, and because of that it feels alive, and a flawed film that feels alive is always preferable to a by-the-numbers one that's dull, especially when it's directed by a genius.
[1] His performance is often noted as one of the best to never be nominated for an Academy Award. He was also snubbed by the British Academy. The film received four Oscar nominations: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Editing. It won zero.
[2] Kubrick received death threats against both himself and his family and took measures to ensure the film wouldn't be shown in Britain until after his death.
[3] Strange as it may sound, I'm reminded of Revelation 3:15-16, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — I am about to spit you out of my mouth." I imagine there aren't many reviews of A Clockwork Orange that quote the Bible.
[4] A combination of English, Russian, and slang. So, yeah, you probably won't understand all of it.
Starring: Malcolm McDowell, Patrick Magee, Michael Bates, and Warren Clarke
Written by: Stanley Kubrick, from the novel by Anthony Burgess
Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
X, 136 min, 1971, UK
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Article comments
1 - Sister Ray
Talk about guilty pleasures. I'm troubled by the way this movie appeals to me.
I recommend the book, too - very important to get the updated edition with the new ending that Burgess wanted but the original publishers didn't.
The slang is called nadsat, by the way.
2 - Snarkattack
Nadsat also has traces of the Malayan language in it, as Burgess was very familiar with the language. He'd spent time in Malaysia whilst in the army, I believe.
A book - and film - that will continue to be as frightening as it has been influential.
3 - Scott Butki
Lucas: You write really excellent reviews and when I just went to your blog I saw you were only 27.
The fact I thought you were older is meant as a compliment in that you seem wiser than your years.
But it also explains why, for example, you saw the remake of Psycho before the original.
What list of 100 films are you using? The one from AFI? If you haven't read I'd recommend AFI's 100 Essential Movies book (or is it 100 influential movies). Either way I went through it last year and watched each movie on the list I could get my hands on (about 90 of the 100) and then compared my thoughts to those of the reviewer included.
I think it was in there that I read something to the effect of the Singing in the Rain bit being a late addition to the film which is amazing considering its one of the most memorable.
This movie has the distinction of being the only one which I think is so good that I hesitate to recommend it to some who I think would find the movie - especially the rape scenes - too disturbing.
I had not heard before that the movie was not released in Britain until after his death. Was it ever shown then?
As for Kubrick being an acquired taste I definitely agree with that.
4 - Lucas McNelly
Scott,
Thanks for your kind words. The list I'm using is the Time 100 Great Films list, but it's actually a hybrid of that and a few more criteria (a critic's poll, certain high metacritic scores, and They Shoot Pictures, Don't They?'s top 100)
the story i've heard about the Singin' in the Rain inclusion is that it was the only song McDowell could remember the words to. it ended up being a pretty brilliant bit of luck, as anyone who saw Clockwork before Singin' can attest to being a bit uneasy when they saw the musical.
as far as I know, this was shown in Britain after Kubrick's death.
5 - Scott Butki
Ah, well, then I'd suggest this book, because it's also a pretty good list.
I just asked for a review copy of a new book that's supposed to be even more comprehensive.
6 - gonzo marx
excellent Review....thaks for bringing this Masterpiece up!
/golfclap
one of the things i have always found fascinating about the film, not counting Malcolm's performance, was the whole "full Circle" thing that happens...
how everything that happened before Alex going to jail is repeated form the other side of a funhouse mirror...
your mileage may vary
Excelsior?