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Just rewatched this one again; haven't seen it since I was a teenager (long time ago).  Still a strange and disturbing film, content-wise, but the film-making aspects were pretty cool.  I do like the whole commentary on the social engineering aspects.  The sounds and visuals really stand out.  And of course, I've noticed more parallels with Kubrick's other works: manniquins, mirrors, and masks (among others).

Classic, absolutely classic.  There is no other director that I regard as highly as Kubrick.  The man was a master.

I haven't watched Clockwork Orange in a year or so.  Despite the film's age, it's still as affecting as it was upon it's initial release.  The Droogs are still unparalleled in their strangeness. 

There is so much to say about this film, that I find myself to be at a loss of words.  Behind 2001, it's my favorite Kubrick film.

Yeah, this is tied with Evil Dead II as my favorite movie of all time.  It's one of those movies that leaves you changed somehow after you've seen it for the first time.  It's probably the movie that got me into movies in the first place.

What Kubrick did with the cinematography in Orange hasn't been duplicated.  I mean every single shot of that movie paints a picture on the screen.  i.e.- When Alex is taken to prison and is checked in, the room is filled with boxes but if you look at Alex, he's framed in a box of his own and the one time he goes out of it, the guard freaks out.  And, when Alex is in the bath at the writer's house, the writer, as he's listening to Alex sing, is surrounded by books on bookshelves except around the writer in his wheelchair.  Last example, the perfectly symmetrical setup at the end when all the photographers come in.  (I could go on but I'll spare you.  :wink:)  Note:  Kubrick does this sort of thing in all his movies but it's on prominent display in Orange.

It definitely is a seminal movie.

This is a great film.  Alex and his droogs are completely unfettered by society's safety measures.  The only reason Alex is not fiddling while London is burning is that he does not have the power to do that.  He can only operate in his little sphere, avoiding the authorities.  He is human carnal nature and basic desires.  Pretty much the only time his id is held back is when NOT doing so would result in him being caught.

The film is visually different.  Lots of sets were designed to stand out, plus how they would fit into the story.  I love the Korova Milk Bar. 

Ditto on the action.  Alex goes between brooding to explosive violence to frighteningly playful in a moment.  I cannot imagine anyone else playing him besides Malcolm MacDowell.  He was perfectly cast.

I remember asking my dad about this film, and he said I was too young to watch it.

This is coming from the guy who forced me to watch every possible horror film when I was younger. I saw Child's Play at the age of two, according to my mom. I used to go to his house and cry because I knew I would have to watch more bad films.

That's why I've been avoiding this one. My dad of all people wouldn't let me watch it.

I haven't seen If... yet.  That's one I want to check out because it was MacDowell's performance in that movie that inspired Kubrick to cast him as Alex.

I haven't seen this movie, but I learned not to tell people that because I get this response:

"WHADDYA MEAN YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT???!!!"

And then there is endless berating of my psyche as to what I'm missing out on by not watching it, it's cinematic importance as a social commentary, blah blah blah.  Those reactions are part of the reason I haven't bothered.

But these days my social circle is severely limited, by choice, so I can actually watch it now without getting GBH to the earhole.

This isn't one you'd want to watch in mixed company.  But it is a must watch for any cinemaphile.

"Viddy well little brother...Viddy well..."

I love this film both as ruthless entertainment and as social commentary on violence in our society.  Kubrick's direction is captivating and McDowell plays one of the best roles ever captured on film.  Awesome film.   :thumbup:

I have never seen this one, though I have owned the DVD for like nine years now. (http://forums.lowerdecks.com/style_emoticons/default/ohwell.gif)

The more I think about it (and this movie does make you think) the more I think this movie, relative to other Kubrick flicks, is an anti-movie ...or a movie in a mirror, slightly distorted.  Typical of Kurick flicks, the movie is in two parts really; where movies usually have a rise and fall, this one seems more like a fall, rise, coming full circle .  Of course, the redeption aspect of the second half really isn't a redemption at all ("Oh I was cured alright").  This movie is almost like the opposite of 2001 ASO in a sense.

Fascinating is how all Kubrick movies have so many reoccuring themes and symbols.  I have yet to watch all of them but so far that seems to be the case.  Most (not all) of his flicks are in two parts, and/or with repeated scenes in the same locations (ACO, EWS, the Shining, etc.).  I have yet to watch The Killing (which I have on VHS), Killer's Kiss, Fear and Desire, and Paths of Glory (the earlier films I guess). 

One thing that's very noticable is that almost (if not all) Kubrick films have important scenes in a bathroom.  Some argue it's a Freudian symbolism of dominance but I'm not really sure how that works.  ACO only shows Alex urinating, Dr. Strangelove has a character sittin on the John, and we all know the major scene in the Head in Full Metal Jacket.  Let's not forget the ghostly revelation in the Shining not to mention Eyes Wide Shut starts in the Harford's bathroom.

Ok, I'm off on a tangent.  Hell, each of these films could have their own thread.

In summary though, A Clockwork Orange was a visceral experience.

Notice too how the garbage in the foyer of Alex's building is all sterile -- that is to say, it's all computer tape and printouts & etc.  Not a smidge of tins, food, humanity or anything created by people.
Lindsay Anderson did a tryptich with McDowell:  IF, O' Lucky Man, and one set in a hospital whose name escapes me.  All with pretty much the same cast & the same or similar characters.  Taken as a trilogy, it's a flawed masterpiece, mostly because Lindsay Anderson has some predictable political axes to grind, but still worth watching if for no other reason than it confirms long-held suspicions that Britain's National Health is financing the creation of human/sheep cross-breeds.
denny clockwork/peter orange

I need to watch this film again. I watched it like 10 years ago and I can remember most of it, but I think I would react to it in a different way, being an older person now.

I know what you mean, and I've gotten the same response regarding films that turned out to be complete garbage. (One friend has that same reaction to the fact I hadn't seen "Drumline").

CO is a great movie, , but I do understand that it is too much for some, , and for good reason. Also, I get quite let down over people's hype of many movies, although, I have to say I'm guilty of hyping some of my favorites. Unfortunately, for many, CO seems bigger than life, and act as if it's going to change your entire life. If you do decide to see it, don't watch it for social commentary, or to reflect on how all mankind is inherently evil, , just watch it like any other movie: for enjoyment. When someone comes at you with some grandiose idea of how Alex's character parallels Rodney King's, , just ignore it. . 

BTW, what does "getting GBH to the earhole" mean?

GBH= Grevious Bodily Harm --
peter j/denny c

Isn't that the name of an old punk rock band?

I know this whole movie is suposed to be some sorta social policacal commentary or something obscure like that, but when i watched it, I just didnt see it. I just saw men in white clothing wearing dipers.

You may be onto something there; I just read an essay on ACO that depicts Alex as a teenage star child (akin to that of 2001) just out of the womb.  Not sure what I think of all that but it was an interesting take.

The film raises the question:
Is it worth removing the free will of Alex, but at the price of his humanity, regardless of how objectionable or dispicable we find him?
At least that's my take on it. I think the priest in the prison says something to that effect.

Also, in Malay Orang means "man", so "A Clockwork Man" sort of gives it away.

I know my Kubrick. :twirl:

Oldskool, I would think someone with such an avatar would know that!  Yes, GBH was a great punk rock band.

LOL!  I was seeing if anyone would catch that.

I don't know, I've never been a punk fan.  But it sounds about right.   :teddyr:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wt9SUkzZGU
 :twirl:

 :teddyr:

For some reason, this whole conversation is making me want to listen to the Planet Smashers.  :bouncegiggle:

CO was verrrry influential to the burgeoning punk scene at the time.

It's understandable Oldskool.  The film is just so anarchistic.  The film shows a blatant disregard for society, elders and pretty much everyone in general.  Alex does what he wants, when he wants and how he wants.  Punk rock used to be like that.  It was chaos, it was pure energy; now it's just watered down pop-crap.

KYGOTC, I have no idea why it makes you want to listen to The Planet Smashers.  Great band, but I don't see the connection.

Yea, I don't see it either. It's weird!

Anyhoo, doesn't this movie take place in the future or something?

It's supposed to take place in the near future...well, the near future if the 70's never ended.   :teddyr: