IMDb > Scum (1977) (TV)

Scum (1977) (TV) More at IMDbPro »

Overview

User Rating:
7.9/10   385 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
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Director:
Alan Clarke
Writer:
Roy Minton (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for Scum on IMDbPro.
Genre:
Crime | Drama more
Plot:
This is the hard and shocking story of life in a British borstal for young offenders. Luckily the regime has changed since this TV film was made... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
User Comments:
Bullying and sadism at British reform school more (8 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Ray Winstone ... Carlin
David Threlfall ... Archer
Martin Philips ... Davis
Davidson Knight ... Angel

John Blundell ... Banks

Phil Daniels ... Richards
Ray Burdis ... Eckersley
Patrick Murray ... Dougan
Ian Sharrock ... Rhodes
Tony London ... Woods
Peter Kinley ... Betts
Peter Francis ... Baldy
Sheridan Earl Russell ... Jackson
Colin Mayes ... Sumner
Trevor Butler ... Toyne
more
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Additional Details

Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents
Runtime:
USA:78 min
Country:
UK
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Certification:
UK:18 (DVD rating) | Ireland:18 | UK:15
Company:
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
This is the original version made for the BBC but banned by them and never screened until 15 years later. The BBC said that they banned it because "There was too much incident packed into too short a time and that they doubted the veracity." So they thought it was pure fiction. But they also said that it "looked too much like a documentary." more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Scum EPK Interviews with Clive Parsons & Roy Minton (1999) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
Wide Boy more

FAQ

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User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
2 out of 16 people found the following comment useful.
Bullying and sadism at British reform school, 27 May 2005
5/10
Author: mdm-11 from United States

This film was to show the horrors of a typical British Reform School, complete with regular beatings, humiliations, and even a rape scene. Sadistic staff and a team of violent and intimidating "daddys" terrorize the weak and timid members of the roughly 100 detainees. Racism and hypocrisy are in full gear. This is the Jr. Version of "Glass House", only even more graphic.

This film is very difficult to watch and was actually banned by the BBC to ever be broadcast due to the extreme violence and shocking situations. Although I watched to the end, I just don't quite see the value (especuially for entertainment) in this fictional nightmare. Perhaps as a "Scared Straight" project it could deter at-risk children from a life of crime. Otherwise any slasher movie will do less emotional damage to an impressionable mind. I do not recommend this film

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Scum (1977) (TV)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Richards am_buglet_82
Why were two versions made? lever_simon
The Wide Boy s_berry73
Archer rbubbles25
Does Anyone Know If This Is Online mrbishi
Scum 77 and Scum 79 Voodoo_Chilli
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Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
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