Clockwork Orange, A
Warner Bros. (1971)
Crime, Drama, Queer Themes/Interest, Science Fiction
In Collection
#6
10*
Seen ItYes
085392115020
IMDB   8.3
137 mins UK / English
DVD  Region 1   R (Restricted)
Philip Stone Dad
Margaret Tyzack Conspirator
Warren Clarke Dim / Officer Corby
Patrick Magee Frank Alexander
Malcolm McDowell Alex DeLarge / Narrator / Prisoner 655321
Steven Berkoff Det. Const. Tom
John Savident Conspirator
Clive Francis Joe the Lodger
Michael Bates Chief Guard Barnes
Adrienne Corri Mrs. Alexander
Carl Duering Dr. Brodsky
Paul Farrell Tramp
Miriam Karlin Catlady
Aubrey Morris Deltoid
James Marcus Georgie
Madge Ryan Dr. Branom
Anthony Sharp Minister
Pauline Taylor Psychiatrist
Malcolm McDowell Alex
Patrick Magee Mr. Alexander
Michael Bates Chief Guard
Warren Clarke Dim
John Clive Stage Actor
Clive Francis Lodger
Michael Gover Prison Governor
Godfrey Quigley Prison Chaplain
Sheila Raynor Mum
Pauline Taylor Dr. Taylor (Psychiatrist)
Lindsay Campbell Police Inspector
Michael Tarn Pete
David Prowse Julian
Director/Choreographer
Stanley Kubrick
Producer Stanley Kubrick
Si Litvinoff
Bernard Williams
Writer/Composer Anthony Burgess
Stanley Kubrick
Cinematography John Alcott
Music Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
Edward Elgar
Ludwig van Beethoven
Gioacchino Rossini


In a near-future Britain, young Alexander DeLarge and his pals get their kicks beating and raping anyone they please. When not destroying the lives of others, Alex swoons to the music of Beethoven. The state, eager to crack down on juvenile crime, gives an incarcerated Alex the option to undergo an invasive procedure that'll rob him of all personal agency. In a time when conscience is a commodity, can Alex change his tune?
Edition Details
Edition New Kubrick Collection
Distributor Warner Home Video
Chapters 36
Release Date 6/12/2001
Packaging Keep Case
Screen Ratio Fullscreen (4:3, Letterboxed)
Subtitles English; French; Portuguese; Spanish
Audio Tracks Dolby Digital 5.1 [English]
Layers Single Side, Single Layer
No. of Discs/Tapes 1

Features
Interactive Menus
Theatrical Trailer
Scene Access

Notes
I first saw this film in 1971 while on a business trip to Philadelphia -- It was a memorable trip, not only because of the film, but because of other personal events that took place, including the development of a long term personal friendship -- The film remains one of my all-time personal favorites -- Every time I view the film, something pops out that I didn't particularly focus on before -- I suspect that at the first viewing it was the disturbing beauty of the film and it's commentary on a perceived decline of civilization -- Later, it was how perfectly the action choreographed with the music, as at a ballet -- In this latest viewing it was the Bible-thumping fundamentalist prison chaplain -- His adamant opposition to Alex's "cure" was because it removes free will -- Alex will be forced to do good and to not offend -- He will no longer have a moral choice, a fundamental characteristic of what it means to be human -- He will become an automaton, a clockwork orange -- It was surprising that this insight should come from someone for whom I normally would have had little regard -- Of course, the aversion therapy "cure" has often been espoused for many perceived deviations, from smoking to homosexuality -- The film remains a favorite, and it has well stood the test of time.