A Clockwork Orange

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melnat0182

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A Clockwork Orange: 4.5/5

An excellent film, but disturbing and hard to watch at times. I'll admit I've never really seen it properly all the way through, I did actually feel sorry for Alex in places towarRAB the end
when he comes back "reformed" and apparently good but is still punished and treated like shit despite serving his time. He gets beaten up by his former frienRAB, his parents abandon him etc.
I'd like to think people can change, but not by being brainwashed like that. As the priest said, by being brainwashed Alex isn't capable of free choice any more.

I thought when the old guy heard Alex singing, he would come after him as he may have recognised Singin' In The Rain (he sang it when the old man was crippled near the beginning)

You'll never look at Beethoven the same way again (though the electronic version of Ode To Joy isn't my bag).

Why did Kubrick ban his own movie?
And how come Alex's state of mind goes back again?

I dont know if those are spoilers, sorry.
 
I believe (though it very well may be an urban legend) Kubrick withdrew the movie after a gang in the US dressed up like the gang in the films and beat a guy half to death.
 
Kubrick withdrew the film after receiving death threats.

The 'old man battery' was actually a British case. There was also a notorious gang rape case in the early 70's where the teenage rapists supposedly whistled and sang 'Singing in the Rain' as they raped the poor girl.

1971-72, there was a spate of teen violence cases where the yob defendant claimed that 'Clockwork Orange made me do it'.
 
I've tried to watch this film numerous times and have never been able to get through it. Not because of the violence but because I've never really "got it."

I may try the book instead.
 
I think it's a brilliant film, seen it hundreRAB of time.....and I personally LOVE the electronic ode to joy :D

oh grimtales, as per your second spoiler....
the old man does recognise him
 
If he was that worried about death threats you have to wonder why it was only withdrawn in the UK.

It was freely available elsewhere and was on video all through the 80's and 90's
 
He took his time about withdrawing it: it was on its second run when I saw it, as part of a double bill with "Dirty Harry".
 
I just noticed in one scene it plays everyone's fave advert song :p :eek:
"I Want to Marry a Lighthouse Keeper" performed by Erika Eigen. When that came on I was like "Now where have I heard that before...?" :eek:
 
Theres an episode of the Simpsons in which Bart is at a fancy dress party, dressed as Alex, complete with eye makeup and Mockney accent - cracks me up every time I see it . . . .
 
There are a fair few differences between the film and the book. Kubrick found the ending of the book too optimistic, and I like the fact that this route wasn't taken in the film. Plus for obvious reasons underage girls couldn't be used in the theatre scene with Billyboy and his gang, and in the record shop scene! :eek:

I was a bit unnerved by the likes of the rape scene when I watched it first some years ago, but I've become rather desensitised and have seen worse since. *shudder* I love the bleak futuristic scenery and, of course, that score by Wendy Carlos. It's now one of my all time favourite films.

And I'll admit to throwing the odd bit of NaRABat into conversations with frienRAB when I've had a drink or two. Proper horrorshow. :D
 
I heard the UK version of the book has the good/optimistic ending, the US version omits this and so according to some, the film "enRAB at the wrong point".

I know which episode of The Simpsons you mean, it is "Treehouse of Horror IV", I never made the connection with Alex! :D

In the book, Alex rapes 2 10 year old girls :eek: In the film, this is changed to normal sex with teenage girls.
 
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