Review of A Clockwork Orange (1971) by Krishnaraj M — 30 Aug 2013

A bit of the old ultra-violence.

WHY Watch? Review:

Next in the line of brilliant films by Stanley Kubrick, fresh after Dr Strangelove and 2001. Who would even believe you if you told them that the guy who made those two films made this one? This is a gleefully shocking tale of the atrocities commited by a juvenile delinquent and the authoritarian state's ill-fated attempt to rehabilitate him, A Clockwork Orange is Kubrick's greatest social satire. Unprecedentedly controversial and originally released with an X rating, it sparked off a series of gang related crime in England following its release.

WHAT to watch?:

Kubrick's brilliant direction. The Striking opening shot of Alex in the Korova milk bar. Again, unconventional use of music-- Beethoven's 9th against violent montage and perhaps the film's most famous and cruel moment, Gene Kelly's Singing in the Rain juxtaposed against a brutal rape. Various other exceptionally brilliant shots, which seem to compensate for the smaller scale of Clockwork when compared to his previous films. Also, the frightening Ludovico treatment scene, where Alex's eyes are clipped open whilst he is "treated".

WHO to watch?:

Malcolm McDowell in his greatest performance as delinquent Alex de large, yet another case of perfect casting for Kubrick. One of the most evil characters in all of film history!