Product: A Clockwork Orange [VHS] (1972)
Rating: 5.0
Among Kubrick's best
Stanly Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange" might just be one of the most horrific films ever put to screen. With it's excessive violence and nudity, it is certainly not for all tastes. But while the film is shocking (even by today's standards) it also proves to be very brilliant and a very good example of excellent directing. Malcom MacDowell gives a great performance as Alex, the leader of a gang who's enjoyment is found at the unfortunate expense of others. Within the first twenty minutes of this film there are two brutal beatings and a graphic rape scene. These scenes may seem like they glorify violent behavior at first but as the story unfolds about Alex's journey through prison and his "treatment" which is supposed to cure him of his criminal behavior, much political and social commentary is found. Then Alex goes out into the real world again only to have everyone turn against him which leads him to start turning towards his older self. Kubrick really made a masterful and couragious film in 1971. With his masterful camera work and his use of music (which are both used by Scorsese and Tarantino today) Kubrick set standards that would lead to some of the classics of today. True, the film is very controversial, it stands as a legendary addition to classic cinema.