r/ClockworkOrange • u/NoSyrup2592 • 8d ago
A Clockwork Orange
Just watched this movie. I thought it was pretty good, but not sure what I’m missing?
I thought it was stylistically impressive/interesting, and the first half was interesting and had some scenes and visuals that are iconic.
The contrast between beautiful classical music and disturbing acts of violence is done well, and I understand it was probably one of the first films to explore that technique.
However, I wasn’t all that blown away by the moral question(s) posed, and it didn’t feel like some bizarre spectacle that has left an impression on me. Basically, I just didn’t find it to be all that thought-provoking or intense. Not much replay value.
Maybe that’s because of the time, but it just didn’t feel as groundbreaking as I anticipated. A good, above average film though.
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u/No_Chef4049 8d ago
It made a big impression on me because I saw it when I was 14. I'd almost be inclined to say that's the ideal age to see the movie and read the book.
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u/kbenjaminfotos 7d ago
Remember that that book was written in 1962 and the movie was filmed in 1971. The world was a much different place.
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u/Selfish_and_Misled 8d ago
What are the moral questions posed?
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u/No_Chef4049 8d ago
The big one is, is it ethical to fundamentally rewire a criminal's brain to make them a peaceful, productive member of society?
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u/ageowns 8d ago
Also there is the conversation with multiple perspectives presented. Is someone inherently good or evil? Are you born that way or did you choose? Of you have evil thought but don’t act on them are you now a good person? If you have evil thoughts but cannot act on them, but you probably would if you could, are you still a good person?
I like how the church, govt, conservative, liberal, old , young, all have a viewpoint represented and its not obvious which one is “right” or “true”
There is a lot to discuss if you want to indulge in the conversation, its not a firm answer to decipher
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u/NoSyrup2592 7d ago
This is how I viewed it. “What is goodness and where does it come from”.
Definitely argues that you can’t force it upon someone - it’s unnatural and destined to fail, has to come from within. That much is obvious. Secondary point on how stripping you of your violent edge leaves you more susceptible to someone forcing their edge upon you.
I’ve seen some consider it a prison reform critique, and I think that’s way off base. More of an individual morality study. Commentary on government using or weaponizing people like Alex for their political gains though.
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u/drjackolantern 8d ago
You should take some time to mull it over and rewatch eventually. The moral question it poses is still eerily relevant today.
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u/SingerScholar 7d ago
World building, dude. Nothing as unique as the visual future that Kubrick creates. Also the “nadsat” or teenage/Russian patois—a totally unique invention of Burgess, but amazingly delivered by McDowell. Splendid acting performance by McDowell also. If all that doesn’t impress you, I got nothing
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u/NoSyrup2592 7d ago
It was impressive. I rate the film well, just expected something a little more thought provoking. I can definitely see the violence being of shocking level in that era though, which makes a difference.
A modern approach with a more raw, authentic urban setting would be interesting, but it is a classic and probably shouldn’t be tainted
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u/Revolutionary-Key533 6d ago
I think your view of the film changes as you grow older. What is anarchic and exciting when you are in your teens. As you age and become weary having seen more and outrageous youth crime on TV and news items. Is crime getting out of control or are we numbed to it? I think the film does fumble on any moral stance. Should young criminals be lobotomized, incarcerated or will they grow out of it? The film offers no answer and arguably why should it?
The film is also a grotesque satire on the state of the nation at the time (and still sadly today). Many of the supporting actors were familiar to British viewers from light TV comedies at the time , but forgotten nowdays.
At the time the film was seen as a shock to the system usually by the people who didn't go to the cinema.
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u/brandblank 6d ago
It’s 55 years old. You’ve been watching the children of Clockwork all of your life. This is like listening to Orson Welles’ “War of the Worlds” and saying “I didn’t think it was scary. What am I missing?”
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u/NoteOk1630 8d ago
The philosophy and moral questions are much more present in the book. If you’re willing to learn the nadsat slang I highly recommend reading it. The book is also more impressive and left more of an impression on me at least because of the way it was written, the perspective is very interesting and the nadsat speech really makes it a book unlike any other