If.... (1968)

Director:

Lindsay Anderson

Writers:

David Sherwin (screenplay)
David Sherwin (original script: "Crusaders") ...
(more)

Release Date:

27 August 1969 (Denmark)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Which side will you be on?

Plot:

In this allegorical story, a revolution lead by pupil Mick Travis takes place at an old established private school in England.

Plot Keywords:

Friend | Revolution | Flirting | Violence | Juvenile Delinquent

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Malcolm McDowell	...	Mick: Crusaders
David Wood	...	Johnny: Crusaders
Richard Warwick	...	Wallace: Crusaders
Christine Noonan	...	The Girl: Crusaders
Rupert Webster	...	Bobby Philips: Crusaders
Robert Swann	...	Rowntree: Whips
Hugh Thomas	...	Denson: Whips
Michael Cadman	...	Fortinbras: Whips
Peter Sproule	...	Barnes: Whips
Peter Jeffrey	...	Headmaster: Staff
Anthony Nicholls	...	General Denson: Staff
Arthur Lowe	...	Mr. Kemp: Staff
Mona Washbourne	...	Matron: Staff
Mary MacLeod	...	Mrs. Kemp: Staff
Geoffrey Chater	...	Chaplain: Staff
Ben Aris	...	John Thomas: Staff
Graham Crowden	...	History Master: Staff
Charles Lloyd Pack	...	Classics Master: Staff
Guy Ross	...	Stephans: Seniors
Robin Askwith	...	Keating: Seniors
Richard Everett	...	Pussy Graves: Seniors
Philip Bagenal	...	Peanuts: Seniors
Nicholas Page	...	Cox: Seniors
Robert Yetzes	...	Fisher: Seniors
David Griffin	...	Willens: Seniors
Graham Sharman	...	Van Eyssen: Seniors
Richard Ryan	...	Baird: Seniors (as Richard Tombleson)
Robin Davies	...	Machin: Juniors (as Richard Davis)
Brian Pettifer	...	Biles: Juniors
Michael Newport	...	Brunning: Juniors
Charles Sturridge	...	Markland: Juniors
Sean Bury	...	Jute: Juniors
Martin Beaumont	...	Hunter: Juniors
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ellis Dale	...	Motorcycle Salesman (uncredited)
John Garrie	...	Music Master (uncredited)
Tommy Godfrey	...	School Porter (uncredited)
Peter Jaques	...	Schoolmaster (uncredited)
Simon Ward	...	Schoolboy (uncredited)

Directed by
Lindsay Anderson

Writing credits
David Sherwin		(screenplay)
David Sherwin		(original script: "Crusaders") and
John Howlett		(original script: "Crusaders")

Produced by
Lindsay Anderson	....	producer
Roy Baird	....	executive producer
Michael Medwin	....	producer
Albert Finney	....	producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Marc Wilkinson

Cinematography by
Miroslav Ondrícek		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
David Gladwell

Casting by
Miriam Brickman

Production Design by
Jocelyn Herbert

Art Direction by
Brian Eatwell		(uncredited)

Costume Design by
Shura Cohen

Makeup Department
Betty Blattner	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Gavrik Losey	....	production manager
Zelda Barron	....	production supervisor (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
John Stoneman	....	assistant director
Tim Van Rellim	....	assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
Jack Carter	....	construction manager

Sound Department
Alan Bell	....	dubbing editor
Doug E. Turner	....	dubbing mixer (as Doug Turner)
Christian Wangler	....	sound recordist
Tony Jackson	....	boom operator (uncredited)
Alan Jones	....	assistant sound editor (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Brian Harris	....	camera operator
Roy Larner	....	electrical supervisor
Chris Menges	....	cameraman
Michael Seresin	....	camera assistant
Roy Larner	....	gaffer (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Michael Ellis	....	assistant editor
Ian Rakoff	....	assistant editor

Music Department
Marc Wilkinson	....	conductor

Transportation Department
Jim Hughes	....	transport

Other crew
Stuart Baird	....	assistant to director
Valerie Booth	....	continuity
Brian Brockwell	....	production accountant
Stephen Frears	....	assistant to director
Neville Thompson	....	assistant to producers
Peter Jaques	....	director of publicity (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Memorial Enterprises (as A Memorial Enterprises Film) (as Memorial Enterprises Limited also)

Distributors

• Paramount British Pictures (1968) (UK) (theatrical)
• Paramount Pictures (1969) (USA) (theatrical) (as Paramount A Gulf+Western Company)
• Paramount Gateway Video (1982) (USA) (VHS) (pan and scan for Paramount Home Video)
• Bontonfilm (2006) (Czech Republic) (theatrical)
• Paramount Home Video (2006) (USA) (DVD)
• Criterion Collection, The (2007) (USA) (DVD)
• New Star (2011) (Greece) (theatrical) (re-release)
• Criterion Collection, The (2011) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Paramount Home Video (video)

Other Companies

• Coefficient Film Facilities  made at
• Lee Electrics  electrical contractors

Also Known As:

"If..." - Belgium (English title) (imdb display title)

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English | Latin

Color:

Black and White | Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.75 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | USA:R (cut version) (1969) | USA:X (1968) | West Germany:16 (bw) | UK:AA (re-rating) (passed with cuts) (1971) | UK:15 (re-rating) (2001) | Hong Kong:IIB | Czech Republic:15 | Hungary:14 | France:-12 | Brazil:14 | Ireland:15 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A | Chile:14 | Chile:18 (Original rating) | Argentina:X (Original rating) | Argentina:18 | UK:15 (video rating) (1986) (2007) | UK:15 (tv rating) | UK:X (original rating)

Filming Locations:

Aldenham School, Elstree, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Memorial Enterprises

Trivia:

Rupert Webster was dubbed by Robert Langley.

Goofs:

Continuity: 13-year-old new boy Jute arrives at school and looks at the notice board. In the next shot, when he's talking to Rowntree, the stripes on his tie are in a different position. i.e. the tie has been re-tied.

Quotes:

Mick Travis:One man can change the world with a bullet in the right place.

Movie Connections:

References Othello (1965)

Soundtrack:

Sanctus

Rejection and acceptance: Mick and Jute.

I watched this movie, for the umpteenth time, when it was shown on T.V. last night and was happy to see that it hasn't lost any of it's impact or relevance. Like so many other British films of the same time "if...." is a classic. The storyline, direction, location and acting are all stunning and as an allegory the film has as much to say today as it did when it was first released, onto an unsuspecting public, in the late 1960's. Much has been said by other reviewers about Lindsay Anderson, Malcolm McDowell and the film as a social satire, so there seems little point in going along those, well trodden, paths. I guess one aspect of the film, which always struck me as pivotal, but which hasn't been mentioned, is the inverse negative correlation between the story of Mick (Malcolm McDowell) and that of Jute (Sean Bury). While Mick starts out as a mild non-conformist who becomes increasingly disaffected with society, as represented by the school, Jute, who is initially an outsider, a new boy who doesn't know the rules, is gradually accepted and becomes an active member of that very same society. Mick's initial revolt is that of returning to school still sporting a moustache. But although he is flouting the rules by virtue of not being clean shaven, it is done on a purely personal level and he takes great pains to hide his facial hair from those in authority. Later his actions become, by stages, increasingly confrontational and open. Jute on the other hand is first shown as a small, almost lost, boy with large, frightened, puppy-dog eyes who doesn't even know that prefects are not addressed as "Sir", let alone the myriad of other complex rules that make up the society into which he has been thrust. Gradually we see his self assurance blossoming as he is accepted firstly by the other "scum" and later by the powers that be. The small socially isolated boy of the first scene is later seen playing an active role in a rugby match, sharing an impromptu meal with the other scum, confidently carrying a trophy in College Hall and finally taking an active part (as an altar boy) in the very celebration of traditional values that Mick has, by then, utterly rejected. A thought provoking film, which like that other celebrated allegory from the same era, "Lord of the Flies" (1963), has many levels and can be as deep as you wish it to be. Utterly Brilliant. Oh yeah and my favourite quote was from Mick when asked why he was sporting a moustache, his answer, "To hide my sins".