A Clockwork Orange (1971)

Director:

Stanley Kubrick

Writers:

Stanley Kubrick (screenplay)
Anthony Burgess (novel)

Release Date:

2 February 1972 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Being the adventures of a young man ... who couldn't resist pretty girls ... or a bit of the old ultra-violence ... went to jail, was re-conditioned ... and came out a different young man ... or was he ?

Plot:

In future Britain, charismatic delinquent Alex DeLarge is jailed and volunteers for an experimental aversion therapy developed by the government in an effort to solve society's crime problem... but not all goes to plan.

Plot Keywords:

Britain | Aversion Therapy | Violence | Gang | Prison

Awards:

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 10 wins & 13 nominations

Cast

Malcolm McDowell	...	Alex
Patrick Magee	...	Mr Alexander
Michael Bates	...	Chief Guard
Warren Clarke	...	Dim
John Clive	...	Stage Actor
Adrienne Corri	...	Mrs. Alexander
Carl Duering	...	Dr. Brodsky
Paul Farrell	...	Tramp
Clive Francis	...	Lodger
Michael Gover	...	Prison Governor
Miriam Karlin	...	Catlady
James Marcus	...	Georgie
Aubrey Morris	...	Deltoid
Godfrey Quigley	...	Prison Chaplain
Sheila Raynor	...	Mum
Madge Ryan	...	Dr. Branom
John Savident	...	Conspirator
Anthony Sharp	...	Minister
Philip Stone	...	Dad
Pauline Taylor	...	Psychiatrist
Margaret Tyzack	...	Conspirator
Steven Berkoff	...	Det. Const. Tom
Lindsay Campbell	...	Police Inspector
Michael Tarn	...	Pete
David Prowse	...	Julian (Frank Alexander's bodyguard)
Barrie Cookson
Jan Adair	...	Handmaiden in Bible Fantasy
Gaye Brown	...	Sophisto (in the Korova Milkbar)
Peter Burton
John J. Carney	...	Detective sergeant
Vivienne Chandler	...	Handmaiden in Bible Fantasy
Richard Connaught	...	Billy Boy (gang leader)
Prudence Drage	...	Handmaiden in Bible fantasy
Carol Drinkwater	...	Nurse Feeley
Lee Fox	...	Desk Sergeant
Cheryl Grunwald	...	Rape Victim in Film
Gillian Hills	...	Sonietta
Craig Hunter	...	Doctor
Shirley Jaffe	...	Victim of Billy Boy's gang
Virginia Wetherell	...	Stage Actress
Neil Wilson	...	Prison Check-in Officer
Katya Wyeth	...	Girl in Ascot Fantasy
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Frankie Abbott	...	Rex - Police Landrover Driver / 1st Policeman at Duke of York (uncredited)
Roy Beck	...	Prison Officer in Chapel (uncredited)
Robert Bruce	...	Milkbar Bouncer (uncredited)
Maurice Bush	...	Charlie - Security Guard outside Alex's Ludovico Room (uncredited)
Steadman Clark	...	3rd Milkbar Bouncer (uncredited)
George Coulouris	...	Professor (uncredited)
Jeremy Curry	...	Jesus Christ (uncredited)
David Dawkins	...	Humming Technician (uncredited)
Andros Epaminondas	...	Bearded Man in Record Shop (uncredited)
Helen Ford	...	Old Lady at Duke of York (uncredited)
Norman Gay	...	BBC Producer (uncredited)
Dr. Gundry	...	Dr. Lidlock (uncredited)
Peter Hannon	...	2nd Policeman at Duke of York (uncredited)
Margaret Heald	...	Nurse Braindrain (who comes in with psychiatrist) (uncredited)
Nicholas Hill	...	Biblio Oldie / Drunk Tramp (uncredited)
Heinrich Himmler	...	Himself (archive footage) (uncredited)
Adolf Hitler	...	Himself (archive footage) (uncredited)
Fred Hugh	...	Biblio Oldie / Drunk Tramp (uncredited)
Katharina Kubrick	...	Girl Passing Alex in Record Store (uncredited)
Viktor Lutze	...	Himself (archive footage) (uncredited)
Olive Mercer	...	Old Lady at Duke of York (uncredited)
Leslie Nye	...	Biblio Oldie / Drunk Tramp (uncredited)
George O'Gorman	...	Record Bootik Clerk (uncredited)
Nat Pearn	...	Biblio Oldie / Drunk Tramp (uncredited)
Rex Rashley	...	Biblio Oldie / Drunk Tramp (uncredited)
Fred Real	...	Prison Check-In (uncredited)
Pat Roach	...	Milkbar Bouncer (uncredited)
Henry Robert	...	Desk Policeman (uncredited)
Billy Russell	...	Professor attacked by Alex & Droogs in Library (uncredited)
Winifred Sabine	...	Old Lady at Duke of York (uncredited)
Barbara Scott	...	Marty (uncredited)
Shane Shelton	...	Burbling Boy (uncredited)
Tom Sye	...	Biblio Oldie / Drunk Tramp (uncredited)
Arthur Tatler	...	Convict Pianist (uncredited)
Alec Wallis	...	Conspirator D.B. Da Silva (uncredited)
Sister Watkins	...	Dr. Lidlock's Assistant (uncredited)

Directed by
Stanley Kubrick

Writing credits
Stanley Kubrick		(screenplay)
Anthony Burgess		(novel)

Produced by
Stanley Kubrick	....	producer
Si Litvinoff	....	executive producer
Max L. Raab	....	executive producer
Bernard Williams	....	associate producer

Cinematography by
John Alcott		(lighting cameraman)

Film Editing by
Bill Butler

Casting by
James Liggat		(as Jimmy Liggat)

Production Design by
John Barry

Art Direction by
Russell Hagg
Peter Sheilds

Costume Design by
Milena Canonero

Makeup Department
Olga Angelinetta	....	hairdresser
Barbara Daly	....	makeup artist
George Partleton	....	makeup artist
Freddie Williamson	....	makeup artist (as Fred Williamson)
Jim Gillespie	....	makeup artist (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Derek Cracknell	....	assistant director
Dusty Symonds	....	assistant director
Raymond Becket	....	third assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
Frank Bruton	....	prop master
Peter Hancock	....	prop man
Tommy Ibbetson	....	prop man
Christiane Kubrick	....	special paintings and sculpture
Cornelius Makkink	....	special paintings and sculpture
Herman Makkink	....	special paintings and sculpture
Liz Moore	....	special paintings and sculpture
John Oliver	....	prop man
Bill Welch	....	construction manager

Sound Department
Brian Blamey	....	sound editor
André Dias	....	dialogue recordist (international versions)
André Dias	....	dubbing editor (international versions)
Peter Glossop	....	boom operator
Eddie Haben	....	dubbing mixer
John Jordan	....	sound recordist
Bill Rowe	....	dubbing mixer

Visual Effects by
Sandy DellaMarie	....	digital production coordinator: Pacific Title & Art Studio: re-release
Mark Freund	....	visual effects supervisor: Pacific Title & Art Studio: re-release
George Gervan	....	digital paint artist: Pacific itle & Art Studio: re-release
Richard Gervan	....	digital paint artist: Pacific Title & Art Studio: re-release
Martin Hall	....	digital paint artist: Pacific Title & Art Studio: re-release
Maureen Healy	....	digital paint artist: Pacific Title & Art Studio: re-release
Heather Hoyland	....	lead digital compositor: Pacific Title & Art Studio: re-release
Greg Kimble	....	digital compositor: Pacific Title & Art Studio: re-release
Chris Crowell	....	digital compositor (restored version) (uncredited)

Stunts
Roy Scammell	....	stunt arranger
Eddie Frewin	....	stunt driver (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Lou Bogue	....	electrician (as Louis Bogue)
Don Budge	....	grip
Tony Cridlin	....	grip
Ernest Day	....	camera operator (as Ernie Day)
Ron Drinkwater	....	focus puller
Laurie Frost	....	camera assistant
Derek Gattrell	....	electrician (as Derek Gatrell)
David Lenham	....	camera assistant
Mike Molloy	....	camera operator
Frank Wardale	....	supervising electrician
Ken Worringham	....	camera operator (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Ron Beck	....	wardrobe supervisor

Editorial Department
David Beesley	....	assistant editor
Peter Burgess	....	assistant editor
Gary Shepherd	....	assistant editor

Music Department
Wendy Carlos	....	electronic music composed and realised by (as Walter Carlos)
Erika Eigen	....	composer: additional music (uncredited)

Other crew
Len Barnard	....	production accountant
Terence A. Clegg	....	location manager (as Terence Clegg)
Andros Epaminondas	....	production assistant
Jan Harlan	....	assistant to producer
Kay Johnson	....	director's secretary
Mike Kaplan	....	promotion coordinator
Jonathan Marshall	....	technical advisor (as Jon Marshall)
Arthur Morgan	....	location liaison
Loretta Ordewer	....	production secretary
June Randall	....	continuity
Margaret Adams	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Pablo Ferro	....	title designer (uncredited)
Anthony Frewin	....	assistant: Stanley Kubrick (uncredited)
Dick Haydon	....	stand-in: male (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Warner Bros (presents) (as Warner Bros. A Kinney Company)
• Hawk Films (as Hawk Films Limited)

Distributors

• Warner Bros (1971) (USA) (theatrical) (as Warner Bros. A Kinney Company)
• Columbia-Warner Distributors (1972) (UK) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros. (1972) (France) (theatrical)
• Warner-Columbia Films (1972) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros. (1973) (Italy) (theatrical)
• Warner-Columbia Films (1985) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Argentina Video Home (1985) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (1986) (USA) (VHS) (pan and scan)
• Fazer Musiikki Oy/Fazer Video (1989) (Finland) (video)
• Warner Home Video (1991) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Warner Home Video (1992) (Canada) (VHS)
• Mainostelevisio (MTV3) (1997) (Finland) (TV) (1998) (2003) (2009)
• Warner Home Video (1999) (USA) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (1999) (USA) (VHS)
• Sandrew Metronome Distribution (2001) (Finland) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2001) (Netherlands) (DVD) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (2001) (USA) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2001) (USA) (VHS)
• Argentina Video Home (2002) (Argentina) (DVD)
• Argentina Video Home (2002) (Argentina) (VHS) (re-release)
• Warner Bros. (2002) (Argentina) (all media) (re-release)
• Asociácia slovenských filmových klubov (ASFK) (2007) (Slovakia) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros. (2007) (Czech Republic) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros. Entertainment Finland Oy (2007) (Finland) (DVD) (HD DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Warner Home Video (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD) (Blu-Ray Disc)
• Argentina Video Home (2009) (Argentina) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Columbia-Warner Distributors (1974) (Portugal) (theatrical)
• Fazer Musiikki Oy/Fazer Video (????) (Finland) (video)
• Warner Home Video (2001) (Germany) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2007) (Germany) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Warner Home Video (2011) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray) (part of "Stanley Kubrick: Limited Edition Collection")
• Warner Home Vídeo (????) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Warner Home Vídeo (????) (Brazil) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Braun  special acknowledgement (as Braun AG Frankfurt)
• Dolby Laboratories  special acknowledgement (as Dolby Laboratories Inc.)
• Kontakt Werkstaetten  special acknowledgement
• Leonard of London  consultant on hair and coloring
• Ryman Conran Limited  special acknowledgement
• Steinheimer Leuchtenindustrie  special acknowledgement
• Temde AG  special acknowledgement

Also Known As:

"Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange" - USA (poster title)

Runtime:

136 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color (Warnercolor) (uncredited)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital (re-issue) | Mono

Certification:

Argentina:X (original rating) | Argentina:18 (re-rating) | Australia:R | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Canada:R (Alberta) (re-rating) (1999) | Chile:18 | Finland:K-18 (1972) (original rating) | Finland:K-16 | France:16 (re-rating) | France:18 (original rating) | Hong Kong:III | Israel:18 (video rating) | Israel:X (original rating) | Italy:VM14 (re-release) | Italy:VM18 (original rating) | Japan:R-15 | Malaysia:(Banned) | Mexico:D | Netherlands:18 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:18 | Singapore:(Banned) (original rating) | South Korea:(Banned) | Spain:(Banned) (original rating) | Spain:18 (re-rating) (1975) | Sweden:15 | UK:18 (re-rating) (1999) | UK:X (original rating) | West Germany:16 | Portugal:M/16 | Iceland:16 | Ireland:(Banned) (1971-2000) | Ireland:18 (re-rating) (2000) | South Korea:18 (2004) | South Korea:18 (2005) (DVD rating) | Italy:VM18 (DVD rating) | Canada:18A (Ontario) (re-rating) (2008) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Nova Scotia) | Canada:R (Ontario) (original rating) | Brazil:16 | USA:R (re-rating on appeal) (Approved No. 22996) | USA:X (original rating) | UK:(Banned) (withdrawn by director) (1973-1999) | South Africa:18 (Certificate G/1999/0748 DVD) | Singapore:R21 (re-rating) | Peru:18 | UK:15 (video rating) (additional material: 35m) (2011) | UK:18 (video rating) (2000) (2001) (2006) | UK:18 (tv rating)

Filming Locations:

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

Warner Bros

Trivia:

During the filming of the Ludovico scene, star Malcolm McDowell scratched one of his corneas and was temporarily blinded. He suffered cracked ribs during filming of the humiliation stage show.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Alex and the Cat Lady are fighting at the house, the shadow of the camera can be seen on each of them.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Alex:There was me, that is Alex, and my three droogs, that is Pete, Georgie, and Dim, and we sat in the Korova Milkbar trying to make up our rassoodocks what to do with the evening. The Korova milkbar sold milk-plus, milk plus vellocet or synthemesc or drencrom, which is what we were drinking. This would sharpen you up and make you ready for a bit of the old ultra-violence.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Rotten Tomatoes Show: Couples Retreat/Bronson/An Education (#1.31)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

Symphony No.9 in D Minor, Opus 125

Brilliant, stunning and disturbingly entertaining

Few films are as sensational or infamous as Stanley Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange". It's impossible to sit through ACO and not have a reaction; whether it be shock, disgust or amazement. The savage tale of a brutal young droog and his subsequent "reformation" by the government is as shocking and thought-provoking as ever.

While the film's depictions of violence and sex are what it's most known for, ACO works on far deeper levels. The disturbing portrayal of youth and its satirical depiction of a government's attempts to create a better society are brilliant, but the most fascinating aspect of ACO is the questions it poses about good and evil. While the crimes Alex commits at the beginning of the film are atrocious, what the government does to him is worse. The film presents the absolute worst aspects of man, but shows that even these are still favorable to a man without the choice. People can denounce the film because of its brutal content, but the importance of the questions it poses can't be denied.

Equally excellent to the film's content is the effort by the crew. Kubrick's perfectionism pays off well, as ACO in one of his most visually striking films. Malcolm MacDowell is nothing short of amazing as Alex. Kubrick's use of surreal imagery and set pieces, as well as the ingenious use of music to compliment the on-screen action, creates a world that perfectly reflects the protagonist's behavior and the government's policies.

A Clockwork Orange is by no means an easy film to get through, as many will be turned off by the scenes of violence and rape. But this masterpiece is far more complex than a simple romp through a world of youthful violence. It's a rare example of film-making that demands that the viewer actually think. Real horrorshow all around, Oh my brothers.