Review of Kes (1970) by Tom R — 04 Mar 2011

This landmark in British social realist cinema has really hardly dated at all. The cars and haircuts may have changed, but the bleakness of some childhoods is a constant. Performances are all excellent and natural, though special mention must be made for first-timer David Bradley whose prematurely aged face pretty much carries the whole movie.

Despite the implicit politics, this is a very family friendly film, albeit it a rather depressing one. Make the kids watch it, and then lecture them about how soft and spoilt they are in comparison.