A Clockwork Orange (1971)

Rent 'A Clockwork Orange' today with Movies By Mail

Starring:

Director:

Stanley Kubrick

Genres:

Classics | Drama

Languages:

English

Reviews:

17 reviews

Released:

Monday, September 10, 2001

From its opening shot of Malcolm McDowell staring with evil intent directly into the camera (which pulls back to reveal him drinking a glass of milk), Stanley Kubrick's brilliant CLOCKWORK ORANGE announces itself as a completely new kind of viewing experience. Banned in Britain for decades, the film, set in an unidentified future, overwhelms the senses with its almost comic depictions of rape and violence set to an upbeat classical and pop music score; its magnificent, colorful, futuristic set designs; and its utter determination to shock, frighten, and thoroughly entertain its audience. Kubrick based his chilling masterpiece on Anthony Burgess's culture-shaking novel about a young man, growing into adulthood, who has a bit of a problem with authority figures. (Interestingly, Burgess's stunning piece of fiction contains 21 chapters, but Kubrick ends his film after chapter 20.) When Alex (a career-defining performance by McDowell) and his droogs go out for a little bit of the old ultraviolence, he is caught and forced to undergo controversial treatment that will make it impossible for him to commit violent acts--but has severe side effects. Kubrick's film purposely confuses crime and punishment, cause and effect, hero and villain, irony and satire, filled with oxymoron and paradox, taking on science, politics, societal mores, education, sexual awakening, and parental responsibility all in a new language (both verbal and visual) that would change the cinema forever. No one who has seen it has ever been able to hear "Singin' in the Rain" or Ludwig van again in quite the same way.

The Guard

Inglourious Basterds

Sherlock Holmes

X-Men Origins - Wolverine

View all user reviews

in a word...overrated

Tom from Wicklow, 07 Jul 2008

this is one of these movies we are all told to be amazed at. personally i find it one of the most boring fake pretentious arty movies of the generation. true mc dowell is good in it (IMHO, the only movie he was good in). Maybe its just me, but a lot of Kubricks stuff is like this. We are all supossed to go ooh and ahh, and indeed a lot of us do --but not for the right reasons. If you want to impress your friends as deep & intellectual, go ahead...me, thanks but no thanks i will give it a miss.

4 people out of 11 found this review helpful

As good as first time

James from Kildare, 19 Sep 2007

Another classic Krubrick!

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

amazing

Kim from Meath, 10 Sep 2007

Disturbing and shocking but a must see. not for the faint hearted.

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

brutal but brilliant!

Paul from Dublin, 05 Aug 2007

It will shock and it will disturb, but my god will it keep you on the edge of your seat. Brutal scenes are mirrored perfectly against the characters complete lack of humanity and clear enjoyment in the suffering they cause. definitely not one for when granny calls over. If you like the film, try the book which is written in the characters language "nadsat".