A Clockwork Orange
A Clockwork Orange

A Clockwork Orange

1971Movie137 minEnglish

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?

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IMDb8.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes90%
Metacritic81/100
Google Users94%
Director: Stanley KubrickGenres: Crime, Drama, Sci-Fi

Plot Summary

In a dystopian future Britain, charismatic delinquent Alex leads his gang, the 'droogs', on nightly rampages of 'ultra-violence.' After a botched robbery leads to his arrest, Alex volunteers for an experimental aversion therapy to cure his violent tendencies. The controversial treatment proves effective but leaves him vulnerable and unable to defend himself against the very society he once terrorized.

Critical Reception

Stanley Kubrick's 'A Clockwork Orange' remains a profoundly disturbing and controversial masterpiece, lauded for its bold visual style, audacious themes, and Malcolm McDowell's unforgettable performance. While celebrated by critics for its provocative exploration of free will, societal control, and the nature of good and evil, its graphic violence and disturbing subject matter generated significant debate and divided audiences upon release and continue to do so.

What Reviewers Say

  • A visually striking and stylistically daring film that pushes boundaries.
  • Malcolm McDowell delivers a tour-de-force performance as the morally ambiguous protagonist.
  • Provokes thought and debate on themes of free will, crime, and punishment.

Google audience: Viewers are consistently impressed by the film's unique visual style, its exploration of complex philosophical themes, and Malcolm McDowell's captivating performance. Many highlight its thought-provoking nature and lasting impact, though some find the violence and subject matter challenging.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for 4 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Film Editing. Also received numerous other nominations and awards from various film critics' circles and festivals.

Fun Fact

The iconic "milk bar" where Alex and his droogs gather was named 'The Korova Milk Bar,' a name derived from the Russian word for cow ('korova') and intended to evoke a sense of surreal, almost alienating futurism.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

5 reviews
Niemand

Niemand

The film is based on Anthony Burgess‘ novel about young Alex Delarge and his droogs who go around tolchocking people and partaking of the ultraviolence and the old in-out-in-out. Yes, the language is a futuristic mix of Russian, slang an...
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

This is a truly challenging film that routinely glorifies violence - especially towards women, and offers us a terrifying appraisal of the effects of unfettered government and science working in cahoots with each other. Fifty years on from ...
Sigeki Ogino

Sigeki Ogino

With this film, a world heritage of cinema, Stanley Kubrick has reached a level of artistic mastery that would make Michelangelo pale in comparison. To make a film an art form, it must have the innovation of a Chaplin or Jean-Luc Godard. Fu...
JPV852

JPV852

Some great visuals and direction not to mention an incredible performance from Malcolm McDowell, I wasn't totally into this, the first half especially was taxing to get through to the point I stopped watching and only finished a couple days...
talisencrw

talisencrw

As time goes by, I'll always appreciate my Grade 10 English class (1984-85), taught by Mr. Terry. Looking back, it's probably the year that I was introduced to the most great literary works of all my life (especially 'Anthem' by Ayn Rand an...