Cured, alright

Rating: 10/10 (19 November 2009)

So how did Singin' In The Rain co-director Stanley Donen react after a private viewing of Stanley Kubrick's dark satire? A film in which Malcolm McDowell's band of phallic-mask-wearing psychos croon Gene Kelly's signature song as they subject a terrified couple to some ultra-violence and a bit of the old in-out? Donen emerged from the screening room to find Kubrick pacing nervously outside. "That was very mischievous," Stanley told Stanley. "But very good!"
'Very good' was also the verdict from the BBFC, who passed it without reservation and uncut. Only later would the media and local councils demonize the movie, alleging copycat violence and the like. While Kubrick, under threats of death, ultimately banned it from British cinemas.
But what happens when a film made infamous by absence, is granted the oxygen of re-release? What happens is that, in the year 2000, Woolworths, the epitome of high street probity, include the DVD in their advertising campaign as 'Santa's perfect Christmas gift'. And who's lasted longer? Woolworths may be gone, but Clockwork lives to viddy another day.