Review of Kes (1970) by Tom A — 22 Aug 2004
Casper, a young boy from up north has to get up early to go on his paper round. He has to endure a hard time at school, and his life is pretty crappy. He finds a family of kestrels in a farmer?s building and the farmer agrees to let him raise one. He gets meat to feed it and steals a library book so he can train it. After telling his teacher about flying it, a new world appears to be opening up for him and the teacher sees a new side to his character.
This film is probably the greatest British film of all time and is unquestionably moving. After seeing it first on FilmFour, and then buying the DVD it seems to get better and better. Has a few good laughs amid the grime and gloom of Barnsley.
The first Ken Loach film I saw, it is quite simply un-missable.
[i]##Based on the Book by Barry Hines "A Kestrel for a Knave".
Disney once offered Hines a large sum of money for the rights, in exchange for changing the ending - Hines refused.
[/i].
This review of Kes (1970) was written by Tom A on 22 Aug 2004.
Kes has generally received very positive reviews.
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