If.... (1968)

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

Director:

Lindsay Anderson

Writers:

David Sherwin (screenplay), David Sherwin (original script: "Crusaders")

Stars:

Malcolm McDowell, David Wood, Richard Warwick

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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 (as Mary Macleod)
Geoffrey Chater	...	Chaplain: Staff

Storyline

In an indictment of the British public school system, we follow Mick and his mostly younger friends through a series of indignities and occasionally abuse as any fond feelings toward these schools are destroyed. When Mick and his friends rebel, violently, the catch phrase, "which side would you be on" becomes quite stark.

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Plot Keywords:

student rebellion | boys' school | hate | tradition | bully | 

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Taglines:

Winner "Best Film" Cannes Film Festival

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English Latin

Release Date:

21 May 1969 (France)

Also Known As:

If....

Filming Locations:

The Packhorse Cafe, Kensworth, United Kingdom

Company Credits

Production Co:

Memorial Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White Color (Eastmancolor) (uncredited)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The painting in the dining hall is Richard Platt from Aldenham School. The Hall scene was an amalgamation of the school halls at Cheltenham and Aldenham.

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Goofs

Travis steals a bike and drives to the Packhorse Cafe. As he rides in, there are no cars parked near the café. In the next shot, when he gets off his bike, there's a car in the background that wasn't there before.

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Quotes

Mick Travis: There's only one thing you can do with a girl like this. Walk naked into the sea together as the sun sets. Make love once... Then die.

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Crazy Credits

The film's opening prologue states: Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding PROVERBS IV:7

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Alternate Versions

In the USA, the film was originally released uncut, with an X rating. However, a more commercial rating was preferred and the film was reissued with an R rating after scenes of male frontal nudity were removed from the shower scenes.

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Connections

Featured in The Hitch (2014)

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Soundtracks

Sanctus
from the "Missa Luba" (Philips Recording)
Sung by Les Troubadours du Roi Baudouin (uncredited)
Conducted by Fr. Guido Haazen O.F.M (uncredited)

User Reviews

Just utterly,utterly marvellous

My word!

"If.." has always been a firm favourite of mine, particularly as I have been in much the same situation (minus B+W/Colour changes, and gun battles, naturally), and indeed still consider myself a hair rebel. It captures perfectly the horrors of public shool-The fawning, smarmy head-master, the rigors of cadet training and founder's day, it's all drawn from horrible reality.

Saw a late night showing yesterday, and on the cinema screen the fabulous direction and power of the photography- so still and unobtrusive, yet so iconic-becomes apparent. That final looped shot of Mick firing the brenn Gun is just stunning! I left the cinema feeling so goddamn moved!

At times the sheer 60s-ness, and random dialogue ("I like Johnny") can seem to undermine the viewing experience, but the spirit of bold rebellion which saturates this marvelous film wins you over. A favourite joke which I had never spotted before, is near the start, where the whips tick off a list that goes something like "Measles, tape worm, conformation class"..marvellous..

GO SEE!!