DVD Violent hooligan Alex and his gang of droogs get their kicks at the expense of others. When he is subjected to a controversial state brainwashing experiment, his past soon comes back to haunt him.
Details
A Clockwork Orange is one of those films that requires very little introduction. A controversial release on arrival, it quickly became a cult classic - although not always for the right reasons - and its legacy has only grown stronger over time, particularly following the death of director Stanley Kubrick and its eventual return to UK cinemas.
Set in a bleak and stylised vision of the future, the film follows Alex DeLarge and his gang of "droogs" as they indulge in acts of extreme violence, fuelled by drugs and set against a backdrop of classical music. When Alex is eventually caught, he becomes the subject of an experimental rehabilitation programme designed to strip him of his violent tendencies. However, whilst the treatment may remove his ability to commit violence, it also removes his freedom of choice, and he soon finds himself at the mercy of both the state and those he has wronged in the past.
What follows is not just a tale of crime and punishment, but a disturbing exploration of free will, morality and the role of government control. Kubrick presents a world that is both exaggerated and uncomfortably plausible, making the film as thought-provoking as it is shocking.
Picture & Sound
Given that the film dates back to 1971, expectations should be kept in check. The audio is fairly basic and lacks any real depth, although it is perfectly adequate for the dialogue-heavy nature of the film.
The picture quality is also somewhat dated, with visible grain and imperfections, but the DVD presentation does at least offer a reasonable level of sharpness. The widescreen image is matted rather than true anamorphic, and the menu is a fairly uninspiring early Warner effort.
Overall
The infamous scenes - particularly the attack on the tramp and the assaults that led to copycat concerns - were enough to see the film withdrawn from UK circulation for many years at Kubrick's own request. Watching it today, whilst still uncomfortable, it is perhaps less shocking than its reputation might suggest, especially when compared to modern cinema. However, its impact lies less in the acts themselves and more in what they represent.
At its core, A Clockwork Orange is a film about control - not just of the individual, but by the state. Alex's "treatment" raises questions that are still relevant today, particularly around the idea of removing choice in the name of creating a safer society. In that sense, Kubrick's vision feels far less like science fiction and far more like a warning.
It may not be an easy watch, and it certainly won't be to everyone's taste, but as a piece of British cinema it is undeniably important. Malcolm McDowell delivers an iconic performance, and Kubrick's direction ensures that the film remains as distinctive and unsettling today as it was upon release. And yes, whilst the fashion may look a little questionable now - thank goodness those codpieces never caught on - the themes themselves have aged remarkably well.
Special features
- Production notes
- Theatrical trailer
