Movie Review by Bill Rendall

A Clockwork Orange

Behaviorist therapies were popular when A Clockwork Orange was made and there was optimism that with future developments they would become highly effective. In reality the results achieved with aversion therapy have been disappointing. Anyway the therapy is very effective in the movie and the moral implications are explored.

The central character of A Clockwork Orange is a nasty young hooligan played by Malcolm McDowell. During one of his gang's violent attacks on innocent victims he is betrayed by his fellow gang members. He is beaten senseless and left for the police to pick up. To escape his jail sentence he opts to take part in an experiment in aversion therapy. His eyes are clamped open and he is forced to watch violent films while being given drugs that make him feel nauseous. As a result he comes to associate acts of violence with feeling sick.

McDowell's aversion to violence makes him a soft target for people seeking revenge for his past misdeeds. In an ironic twist McDowell becomes a victim of society.

The movie is based on a novel by Anthony Burgess. The title is Cockney slang for something queer. Burgess knew a lot about language and invented a Russian based slang for the young gang members of A Clockwork Orange. I have an informative and entertaining book written by Burgess about language. In addition to writing numerous books Burgess also composed music. However, the notoriety he gained as a result of Stanley Kubrick's controversial film will always overshadow his other work.

The movie exploits violence. Burgess claimed that his story was a satire and was not intended to glorify violence. However, this is a claim that has often been made as an excuse for exploiting violence and I don't think Burgess can justly blame Kubrick for his interpretation.

Malcolm McDowell also gained notoriety for his brilliant portrayal of the central character of A Clockwork Orange. Despite all the awful things he does he still seems like a loveable rogue. As a much older man McDowell starred as the host in a remake of the TV series Fantasy Island. It is no surprise that his portrayal of the host of Fantasy Island has a darker edge than the original.

A Clockwork Orange is an important and inspirational movie. The prominent mascara worn by McDowell in A Clockwork Orange contributed to glam rock and shock rock fashion. In 1972 David Bowie began many of his shows with Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy' from the film soundtrack. The press blamed the movie for inspiring acts of copycat violence. This eventually prompted Kubrick to ban the film from being screened in Britain.

I recommend A Clockwork Orange with some reservation. The ultra violence of A Clockwork Orange makes for some uncomfortable viewing but the movie has become such a part of pop culture that it must be seen.

Director: Stanley Kubrick

Screenplay: Stanley Kubrick

Music: Walter Carlos 

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