The Great and the Powerful: What”s the point of A Clockwork Orange?
A Clockwork Orange is an experiment, a talented work by the legendary Stanley Kubrick and one of the most controversial films in the history of cinema. The film was based on the novel by Anthony Burgess, but it turned out with some changes. Therefore, it differs from the original mainly in the ending. In the book it is more positive.
Contents of the article:
Overall, the film leaves behind a painful and unpleasant feeling. Especially if you perceive it as an entertaining film. However, there is nothing indifferent about this. After watching this, you definitely have something to think about.
History of the film
In 1959, Anthony Burgess learned that he would have to live several more years due to a brain tumor. Then he began actively working on a new novel to provide money for his family. This is how the book “A Clockwork Orange” appeared, based on real events.
During the war, the writer”s first wife was brutally raped by military personnel4. As a result, the girl lost her child and fell into depression. She tried to commit suicide and gradually drank herself to death. And the barge always harbored a terrible story for itself and in the end poured it out on paper.
In the mid-1960s, the writer really needed money. And he was looking for someone to sell him the rights to film his book. Among the contenders was even Tinto Brass, who wanted to give him the lead role in the film Young Women, with sexy costumes and pensioners.
As a result, the Rolling Stones musician was filmed for $50. They planned to play gangster villains in the film.
However, Stanley Kubrick asked questions in time. Burgess later admitted that he was very pleased with the result.
For filming, the director rented a small factory. Only four “artificial” interiors were created in it:
In general, the shooting was organized in live settings. And even natural light.
As a result, the film was released only a year after filming. This is a record speed for Kubrick. However, the reaction to his films was mixed.
In many countries, the screening of films was prohibited; they were called evil and propaganda of violence. In the USSR, cinemas surprisingly received a lot of positive reviews. And this was perceived as an exposure of modern capitalism.
After a year”s release, Kubrick himself seized the film and banned it from showing until his death. Because they began to accuse him of promoting cruelty. The world then started recording cases of rape and beatings accompanied by the theme song of the film.
What is the movie “A Clockwork Orange” about?
From the first frames, the viewer is transported to futuristic London. Desolation, dirt and lawlessness. Lawlessness and cruelty are rampant. The state seeks to control everyone and decide how to live and what to do. However, this does not improve the situation, but only provokes further provocations among people trying to break free from tiresome control.
The main character of the film is Alex, a young man aged 15. It”s cruel and leading an anti-social lifestyle, not business. By his young age, he had already become the leader of an entire gang.
Together with his accomplices, he creates terrible things that make the blood run cold in the audience. Alex”s favorite entertainment is “Ultranarium”. This is a large number of crimes in a short period of time.
For example, a gang of young people (after drugs and cocktails) beat up homeless people, drive stolen cars, break into the houses of ordinary people and rape women in front of their spouses. And in general he does whatever he wants.
Read also: 50 films about gays: same-sex erotica on the big screen
Watching same-sex relationships on screen is not only interesting, but also very exciting. I have collected films that show the most sensual aspects.
In one of these “races,” an assistant enters the writer’s house, destroys it, rapes the owner’s wife and leaves him disabled. Here we see clear references to events in Burgess” life.
At this point in the film, viewers may be tempted to simply turn it off and not bother searching for a higher meaning. Frames are hard to find. Especially when you remember that some of them are based on real events.
Scenes of violence are accompanied by Beethoven”s music. Alex herself especially loves her and listens to her on any occasion.
As a result, Alex still had to pay for the deal. It is interesting that the hero destroyed his own cruelty and authoritarianism. Gradually his comrades got tired of Alex”s “power”. They then smashed a bottle over his head and left the crime scene.
So the young man ended up in prison for the murder of the mistress of the house. And he received 14 years in prison.
Behind bars, a young man agrees to undergo experimental correctional therapy. At the same time, he is promised that this will stimulate his aversion to violence of any kind. During the experiment, a young man takes a new drug while watching violent scenes from films and listening to his favorite classical music.
As a result, Alex begins to feel sick from the three things he loved so much.
A Clockwork Orange: What did Burgess really write about? spoiler-free review #49
- Sex (especially without the woman’s consent);
- Violence in any form;
- Beethoven”s music (especially from the 9th Symphony, which he previously adored).
After leaving prison, he is already weak and unable to defend himself. His property was sold to benefit past victims, and his parents abandoned him. And even former comrades are trying to kill the already helpless Alex.
After attempting suicide and recovering, the young man realizes that his aversion to sex and violence has ceased. Dreams of intimacy with a woman in front of a crowd. However, the songs playing in the background of Alex”s previous brutal ending suggest that everything is not so simple.
The book contains an epilogue explaining the former brutal villain”s gradual healing. He acquired a thirst for violence. Someday he plans to start a family. The ending is the most important difference between the book and the film.
What is the meaning of the movie “A Clockwork Orange”?
Above all, this is a brutal and macabre film about choice. Kubrick raised it as one of the arguments in favor of his position on the topic of behaviorism. The director repeats that the main thing for every person is to have the right to choose. And no one can take that away. Even notorious criminals. Otherwise, it is no longer a person, but a robot.
Previously, it was often assumed that people were already born serial killers and maniacs. It is indeed difficult for society to accept the fact that the criminal is a by-product of all involved.
Having lost the ability to make choices as a result of the experiment, Alex becomes weak and inert. They are easy to manage. Even without taking into account his many victims, there will certainly be those who want to make cruel jokes and laugh at such a person.
Every person in life has the right to choose what to do. Even kindness is a choice. And everyone can decide who they should be, what they should do and how they should behave. All people are constantly faced with difficult choices between good and evil. And it is difficult to know whether it is realistic to change supporters of violence in general.
Alex himself chooses between evil and cruelty. Violence is his conscious choice. He does not commit crimes for the sake of wealth or other selfish goals. Young people enjoy it.
The film is also called a manifesto of human freedom. All authoritarian characters in the film are depicted by portraits of the director. So you see:
- The Hitler mustache of one of the prison guards and their cruelty in general;
- Coldness and inhumanity of doctors;
- Ridicule and spitting in the face from servants of the law instead of protection.
The state turns out to be as cruel and indifferent as Alex’s gang itself. It does not promote morality in people, but dull humility and obedience.
If you deprive a person of will and choice, he becomes an artificial, mechanical being. Hence the “orange clothes”. And this is a completely useless member of society.
A Clockwork Orange is a difficult movie to watch. The film contains many scenes of violence, cruelty and humiliation. But this has a deep meaning, and not all viewers understand that they can and know how to do this.
