[Garrett]

Just thought I’d remind you all that A Clockwork Orange is on Ch4 on Sunday at 22.00.
I have no idea if the film is any good though.

[groundy]

It's one of those films that people have wildly varying opinions on.

I think it is an amazing piece of film-making that ends up being much more than the sum of it's parts. Strange, clever, violent (though not by today's standards), hilarious in parts, with a great soundtrack and wonderful over-the-top performances from the cast.

A Clockwork Orange has a unique style about it.

Garrett, don't miss it .

I concur, this film is like a bizarre dream and very entertaining right up to the end. Dont miss it as I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

[mcmullanbrush]

I love this film. When I saw it for the first time about three years ago, I was expecting to be disappointed because of all the hype that had surrounded it for years. It was an incredible experience and a very funny film.

clockwork orange is a classic, i always remember the first time i saw this advertised in our local paper[1971] i was only10 so i could,nt go to see it. but i just wonderered why would a film about a mechanical orange be a X? all the stories about the violence it spawned are blown well over the top. WE LIVE IN MUCH MORE VIOLENT TIMES NOW!. the 70,s were much more pleasent and sedate.

Originally posted by groundy
A Clockwork Orange has a unique style about it.

I agree. I also think it's a well made and interesing film.

What it isn't, however, is deserving in any way of the attention it has been given over the years. It's good... but not THAT good.

Look out for Alex's version of "Singing in the rain", much better than Gene Kelly's version, all that prancing around a lampost with an umberella.

[Garrett]

Hi Bob long time no chat. It must be good, Singing in the rain with Gene Kelly is one of the all time classic screens in films, even I appreciate it, and I prefer Fred Astair style.

Hi Garrett,

I saw this when it had it's original release, I was a little younger then, haven't seen it since, I wonder if it passes the test of time, so many films I enjoyed in the 70's/80's have lost their appeal to me. Will definitely be giving this a another viewing.

A few movies I haven't seen since the 70's, Tommy and Quadrophenia, these I think were round about the same time as Clockwork Orange, another one is The Wanderers, another gang related movie. There was another movie similar to The Wanderers released about the same time, but I can't think what it was, couldn't have been that good.

[Garrett]

Hi Bob
The Wanderers is that the one where all the gangs meat and someone kills one of the big leader and The Wanderers are framed for it and they have to get back to their territory? If it is good film.
There was on in the 90’s where some mates get lost in the gang areas and have to get out called Judgment Night.

juboy said

It's good... but not THAT good.

You're right..... it's even better! Truly one of the classics of modern cinema. A great work by the master of film. As for the Wanderers, an entertaining (but throwaway) piece, but certainly not in same league as Clockwork Orange.

Yummy Fur

That's the one, from what I can remember it was a chase through the New York underground and parks.

Judgement Night, Emilio Estevez stars in that, not a bad movie, it wasn't that one, the movie I remember was out about the same time as The Wanderers, late 70's early 80's, stole most of the storyline from The Wanderers, I think it was a bit of a flop.

[kevb]

The one your thinking of bob is the Warriors. "warriors come out to play-aaa" Hollywood are going to do a remake.

The Wanders was about a gang of ted's in the 50's who have a bit of trouble with a rival harder gang the Baldies.

Kevb, thanks! The film I was referring to in my post was Warriors (1979-- Walter Hill Director), but I always seem to remember it as The Wanderers (also 1979?) for some reason!

Senility Drools.....


Yummy Fur

Originally posted by kevb
The one your thinking of bob is the Warriors. "warriors come out to play-aaa" Hollywood are going to do a remake.

Cheers for that kev, that's saved me from a sleepless night thinking about it.

[encaser]

I seem to recall some of us at school bandying about Wanderers quotes like, "Don't fcuk wit ta Wongs". Fun times.
Yet to see A Clockwork Orange but I have seen the porn version and it's a peeler alright

[Thor]

I got the R1 version DVD of Clockwork Orange when it first came out. I have always really liked the music to this film but the R1 version was in Mono and I did not enjoy it very much. Just watched it on CH4 in Prp-Logic and it sounds and feels like a completely different film. I'm definitely going to get the 5.1 version now, anyone know which is the best version?

[Garrett]

Sorry lads but I can’t say I’m enjoying it. I liked Spartacus and Paths of Glory but I doubt I will watch this again.

[encaser]

I'm with Garrett. It's not that good but if I'd seen it way back when it'd no doubt have been seen in a better light, like most things. The thing I was amazed about most was that the porno version has truisms to the tale, which is comforting.

[Rambo John J]

It's the only film I've fallen asleep whilst watching at the cinema.
No matter how many times I see this film it always leaves me with that "so what??" feeling.
Malcolm McDowall's much better in Caligula

[encaser]

Originally posted by Rambo John J

Malcolm McDowall's much better in Caligula

Yes, many people say that has the ring of approval

Originally posted by Rambo John J
No matter how many times I see this film it always leaves me with that "so what??" feeling.

I tend to agree with RJJ here. I know that none of the fans of the film would admit it (obviously) but I can't help feeling that the people who trumpet A Clockwork Orange do so for the association.

I'll be honest and say that when I was younger (14 to be precise), I sought out a video copy of the film and after myself and loads of friends watched it, not particularly liking it, we all still went around saying 'Oh, yes, Clockwork Orange, great film' because it's one of those films people sneer at you for if you dare tell the truth (even though the people asking your opinion... certainly at the time I first saw it... hadn't even seen it). At that age, and with the film effectively banned, we also misguidedly believed we were being 'cool' simply by saying we liked it.

Since watching it again a few times and viewing with a more critically aware and balanced view, I'm more than happy to say it's a good film, but not a great one, that has not aged well.

[James45]

I have made my opinions on Kubrick's work quite clear in the past and I still have the burns to show for it. The Clockwork Orange is a hugely over-rated piece of work, the book was terrible and the film is just as bad. Watched a bit of this again last night and switched off pretty quickly.

Originally posted by juboy
I tend to agree with RJJ here. I know that none of the fans of the film would admit it (obviously) but I can't help feeling that the people who trumpet A Clockwork Orange do so for the association.

I'll be honest and say that when I was younger (14 to be precise), I sought out a video copy of the film and after myself and loads of friends watched it, not particularly liking it, we all still went around saying 'Oh, yes, Clockwork Orange, great film' because it's one of those films people sneer at you for if you dare tell the truth (even though the people asking your opinion... certainly at the time I first saw it... hadn't even seen it). At that age, and with the film effectively banned, we also misguidedly believed we were being 'cool' simply by saying we liked it.

Since watching it again a few times and viewing with a more critically aware and balanced view, I'm more than happy to say it's a good film, but not a great one, that has not aged well.

Its just a film, I dont think people want to be associated with any film?!. Some people like the Titanic movie etc, some hate it, thats life.

[James45]

Originally posted by juboy
At that age, and with the film effectively banned, we also misguidedly believed we were being 'cool' simply by saying we liked it.

Just like I used to say I liked Trip Hop!! DJ Shadow ah yeh wicked mate!!

Originally posted by jrwood
Its just a film, I dont think people want to be associated with any film?!

You're joking, surely? Films can be similar to music in that certain individuals will derive a certain 'by association' character to themselves from them.

Why do you think people plaster certain film posters all over their walls? Simply because they 'like' the film? And let's not even get in to the discussion about what makes someone like a film...

I know people who owned A Clockwork Orange posters who had never seen the film. You're telling me they just 'liked' the picture?

[gringottsdirect]

Originally posted by jrwood
Its just a film, I dont think people want to be associated with any film?!.

I remember years ago certain footie fans adopted the white boiler suits and so on, as a statement.
Saturday Night Fever.....every town had a white suit disco diva.
I often see guys prowling around town with ankle length black leather coats since Matrix.
People do "associate " with films, as they do bands and so on, in my opinion.

I hadn't seen this since it's original release, don't think it's stood the test of time, still enjoyed it.

I wonder what the reactions would be if the movie was made today, a duplicate movie, same script, effects, props etc, but with just the characters changed to the well known stars of today. Jack Nicholson as the doctor, Julia Roberts as the "Singing in the Rain" rape victim and Edward Norton as Alex.

[groundy]

Well I still think it's brilliant as is most of Kubrick's work. I certainly don't have some false association with A Clockwork Orange or like it because it may have once been cool to do so.

I just appreciate it for being a crazy, weird script filmed with stunning camera angles. So much thought went in to creating it's inimitable style that the visuals tell a story all on their own. For me, the first time I saw A Clockwork Orange, my reaction was one of "What the ****"? I still feel that way when I see it and that's why I love it.

[Garrett]

Bob Gene Kelley’s Singing In The Rain is still the best followed by Morecombe and Wise.
One thing though I though the end seemed very true to the PC society we have today where the deprogrammed him so he could go back to being a violent thug/killer so it would not infringe his rights and sod the poor innocents he ruined or destroyed.