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:

Anthony Burgess originally sold the movie rights to Mick Jagger for $500 when he needed quick cash. Jagger intended to make it with The Rolling Stones as the droogs, but then re-sold the rights for a much larger amount. Ken Russell was then nominated to direct because his style was considered well-suited for the material. He would have cast Oliver Reed as Alex. Tinto Brass was another possible director. At some point, someone suggested rewriting the droogs to be girls in miniskirts or old-age pensioners. Tim Curry and Jeremy Irons turned down the role of Alex. Stanley Kubrick once said "If Malcolm McDowell hadn't been available I probably wouldn't have made the film." Author Anthony Burgess initially distrusted Kubrick as a director, but was happy with the results. He felt the film later made the book, one of his least favorite books he had written, overshadow his other work.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): There is a running theme of the Government referring to Citizens and the State, implying that Great Britain has abolished the monarchy in this "future". Yet the prison is called "HM Prison Parkmoor", HM being a common designation for Her/His Majesty.

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 Smut Starts at the Pyrenees (1973)

Soundtrack:

Biblical Daydreams

One of those films you have to watch multiple times

It's hard to judge a film such as this. Its cold and hard, yet can be exhilarating and sarcastic. It can be average, yet it can be visionary. Exploitive? Satirical? Too many questions to consider when one watches this film.

Even after 34 years, this film still speaks volumes about our current culture, which many ideals are ringing true today. The younger generations are out of control due to lack of parental control, junk culture is becoming commonplace, violence is desensitizing the masses, and we all seem to be enjoying the ride on the way down. It's very difficult to find movies which can make such startling commentary, yet hold on to such accusations for an extended period of time. Nowadays, films are focused-grouped to death, conformity is more powerful than artistry, and money is far more important than quality. Kubrick took a huge leap with this film, challenging society to take a hard look at itself. Unfortunately, society wasn't ready for this film, which is why it is revered now more than ever.