A very dark comedy from the mind of Kubrick.

Rating: Null/10 (18 February 2010)

I saw this movie in the theater a long time ago, probably in the 1970s not long after its release. I didn't remember too much about it, just the general theme. I saw it again, on Netflix streaming video.
Malcolm McDowell is Alex, the defacto leader of a group of 4 thugs in near future England. His is a charming and deceiving fellow, who sleeps all day and misses school because, he tells his parents, his head hurts. But during the night he and his fellow thugs look for trouble and items that can be fenced for easy cash. And sometimes for more fun, a brawl with competitive thugs.
During one break-in a lady fights back, wounds Alex by hitting him on the head with a heavy piece of artwork, a small statue, and in anger he smashes something into her face. She had been suspicious and called the police a bit earlier, and Alex was arrested when they showed up. The injured lady died in the hospital, so he was convicted of murder and sentenced to 14 years.
After two years he heard about an experimental rehabilitation treatment, and through his cunning got picked for the project. He would receive the intensive psychological treatment, forced to view violence on film, and after 14 days (a fortnight) be cured and released to society.
Back with his freedom it wasn't easy. He met up with old friends and old enemies and was given back bad treatment each time. He even tried to kill himself, but only ended up badly injured, in the hospital. And, as the movie ends, we see a flash of what is in his mind, and it looks like he may be back to his old way of thinking, always looking for sex or violence, and maybe both at the same time.
This movie might also have been a commentary of British government and British society back in 1970, I don't know.
Edit: April 2013, saw it again on DVD, the newly released Kubrick 9-movie set from my public library. Video and audio are great.