The Nameless 6: “A Clockwork Orange”: a film that everyone should see

“A Clockwork Orange” is a 1971 film directed and produced by Stanley Kubrick based on Anthony Burgess’s novel.
In short, Stanley Kubrick’s film is about the dehumanization of people. In my view, it was the best film ever made by Kubrick and he has made many great masterpieces like “The Shining", “2001: A Space Odyssey”, and “Dr. Strangelove”.
This brilliant and satirical film happens in England in a near future and follows the life of a delinquent teenager named Alex DeLarge (Malcolm McDowell) whose obsessions are Beethoven and ultra-violence.
The main character and anti-hero Alex narrates most of the film and speaks in “Nadsat” language, a cross between English, Russian and Cockney rhyming slang. Alex is the leader of a small gang known as “Droogs” made up of Georgie (James Marcus), Dim (Warren Clarke), and Pete (Michael Tarn).
They entertain themselves by beating up a drunk homeless, by fighting against a rival gang, stealing an expensive car, and raping Mrs. Alexander (Adrienne Corri). On the next day, the gang steals Miss Weather’s house (Miriam Karlin). Accidentally, Alex murders her and tries to escape from the police but the gang betrays him and he goes to jail.
In jail he is offered the opportunity to undertake the Ludovico Treatment Technique, which is supposed to integrate him on society. After the treatment, Alex becomes a good member of society but turns himself into a Clockwork Orange, a man (Orange) whose actions are mechanical and lacking free will (Clockwork), unable to enjoy violence, sex, and his favorite music, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.

Rejected by his family and pairs, Alex accidentally goes to Mr. Alexander’s house (Patrick Magee) who seeks revenge for his wife’s rape and death. Drugged and obliged to listen loudly to Beethoven, Alex throws himself through a window escaping death.
The film ends with the recuperation of Alex and with an offer for a political job proposed by the Minister of the Interior (Anthony Sharp) as a compensation for the failure of the treatment.
The music plays an important role in the film. The main character has the obsession of listening to Beethoven. In the rape of Mrs. Alexander, he sings “Singin’ in the Rain”. In short, most of the bad scenes in the film are accompanied by light or classical music.
To my mind, Malcolm McDowell should have been nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor as he performed one of the best villains of the cinema ever.
The film was nominated for four Oscars but it didn’t win because it was rated X on account of its controversial scenes of sex and violence.
Besides that, I advise everyone to see this film. You’re going to love it…or perhaps hate it.

You can see more info about the film by surfing to:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066921/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Clockwork_Orange_%28film%29
http://www.hollywoodgothique.com/clockworkorange1971.html
http://www.filmsite.org/cloc.html

Labels: Review

Posted by Joana Carlos on Monday, November 27, 2006 at 10:20 pm | Permalink

Feel the power of madness within your veins.... the poor guy had to live a life of lies leading to a frustating depression sr something simillar.... understandable... it's nice to follow the path of confourmism, but to forget all about his/hers personality.... not good at all

Posted by Anonymous | 12/03/2006 6:19 pm