Violence makes violence

A Clockwork Orange (1971) – A Review

Director ~ Stanley Kubrick

Producer ~ Stanley Kubrick

Writer ~ Stanley Kubrick (screenplay), Anthony Burgess (novel)

Starring ~ Malcolm McDowell, Patrick Magee, Adrienne Corri, Miriam Karlin

Stanley Kubrick is considered by many to be one of the greatest directing talents in the film industry. ‘A Clockwork Orange’ was one of his most controversial films, so much so that it was withdrawn from the British market shortly after its release. It was equally acclaimed and bashed by critics and has become a cult favourite. Set in a future dystopian London; it is a gruesomely violent and graphic film and also an incredibly provocative social commentary on government control, psychotherapy, youth violence and the contradictions of morality in society.   Kubrick creates a chillingly convincing adaption of Anthony Burgess’ novel that stays with you long after you finish watching it.

The protagonist, Alex, is the leader of his gang of ‘droogs’ who spend their evenings drinking and indulging in ‘ultra – violence’ by assaulting their chosen victims physically, psychologically and sexually. He is sociopathic criminal who eventually gets arrested for murder and subjected to aversion therapy to ‘cure’ him of his violent behaviour by using conditional psychology. He then returns to society as a reformed man, but this goodness is involuntary and he becomes the ‘clockwork orange’ – natural on the outside, mechanical on the inside.

It is a disturbing watch at times, but moreover intensely fascinating and captivating. The soundtrack comprises of classical music (mostly Beethoven) and electronic synthetic music adding to the eerie atmosphere of the film and the visuals are sharp and bold. Some consider ‘A Clockwork Orange’ an offensive mess but I think that it is a thought-provoking masterpiece and a rightful cult cinema classic.

Favourite Quotes ~

Alex: We were all feeling a bit shagged and fagged and fashed, it being a night of no small expenditure.

Alex: No time for the old in-out, love, I've just come to read the meter.

Alex: I was cured, all right!

Prison Chaplain: Goodness is something to be chosen. When a man cannot choose he ceases to be a man.

Alex: It's funny how the colors of the real world only seem really real when you viddy them on the screen.

Minister: Public opinion has a way of changing.

Chief Guard Barnes: Violence makes violence.