This highly controversial and also highly enjoyable piece of 70's artwork both revolts, attracts and connects to me, and I'm sure many others out there.

Rating: 10/10 (11 March 2005)

This masterpiece entered my 'list of things to do' while watching a film countdown on Channel 4 a few months ago. From then on I was impelled to watch this infamous film banned to me, being 14 years of age. I experienced a rush of joy when I realised a close friend at school had a VHS copy in their possession, and she lent it to me the next day.
Like a child with a new toy, I could not wait to get home in order to watch this long-awaited movie, and I was not disappointed.
I am hard to surprise and shock, but the pace of this film did indeed surprise me. For me, the most memorable part of it was near the beginning, where the character of Alexander DeLarge, played by the fabulous Malcolm McDowell ( and in my crazy opinion, simply sumptuous in his younger years ) is woken up by his PVC and nylon clad mother, after a hard night out containing the usual - ultra violence and 'the old in-out, in-out' - and it is revealed to the audience that this assumed twenty-something man is actually a boy of 15, younger then the films certificate, and only one year older than myself. After this early morning arousal, Alex sleeps some more then, in his waken state, is called upon by a confusing character of some significant importance. This leering man, I assume to be a Police or truant officer of some sort, then proceeds to interrogate Alex, in his underpants on his parents' bed, then grabs his testicles in what I am sure would not be classes as orthodox, even then. The homosexual tendencies of this toe-curling character are fully displayed and explored in this scene.
For me, the two reasons why this film is one of the best of all time, are thus. Firstly, the incredible use of imagery, music and language. Stanley Kubrick, genius director, chose the most repulsive outfits for Alex and his 'droogs' for while they were out on the town: sterile looking white overalls and a giant fake penis worn as over pants, whereas a rival gang (named Billy Bob and his droogs) wore pirate outfits, giving them a more unclean and savage look. These types of costume gave the feeling of a cult following similar to that of the Ku Klux Klan. The music chosen gives a whole new slant to classical music: I will never be able to hear Ludwig Van's 9th symphony without thinking of Alex and his adventures with the world. It is haunting, perfect, strangely tech-no-sounding and modern when put in this context. Also, 'Singin' in the rain' is placed in a very obscure situation and becomes a classic all over again. The language for me is pleasing: it shows that maybe the most vicious of our criminals are well-spoken and have no need to swear. The sheer lack of f-word and partners should be a signal to other directors to show that criminals seem all the more absorbing, memorable and real when anything other than the normal street talk is used in their language.
Also, the very fact that this wonderment is banned from UK terrestrial networks is enough to make me think.