Clockwork Orange

bime.com Product Guide

Home / VHS / Clockwork Orange

Editorial Review:

Stanley Kubrick's striking visual interpretation of Anthony Burgess's famous novel is a masterpiece. Malcolm McDowell delivers a clever, tongue-in-cheek performance as Alex, the leader of a quartet of droogs, a vicious group of young hoodlums who spend their nights stealing cars, fighting rival gangs, breaking into people's homes, and raping women. While other directors would simply exploit the violent elements of such a film without subtext, Kubrick maintains Burgess's dark, satirical social commentary. We watch Alex transform from a free-roaming miscreant into a convict used in a government experiment that attempts to reform criminals through an unorthodox new medical treatment. The catch, of course, is that this therapy may be nothing better than a quick cure-all for a society plagued by rampant crime. A Clockwork Orange works on many levels--visual, social, political, and sexual--and is one of the few films that hold up under repeated viewings. Kubrick not only presents colorfully arresting images, he also stylizes the film by utilizing classical music (and Wendy Carlos's electronic classical work) to underscore the violent scenes, which even today are disturbing in their display of sheer nihilism. Ironically, many fans of the film have missed that point, sadly being entertained by its brutality rather than being repulsed by it. --Bryan Reesman

Stanley Kubrick's striking visual interpretation of Anthony Burgess's famous novel is a masterpiece. Malcolm McDowell delivers a clever, tongue-in-cheek performance as Alex, the leader of a quartet of droogs, a vicious group of young hoodlums who spend their nights stealing cars, fighting rival gangs, breaking into people's homes, and raping women. While other directors would simply exploit the violent elements of such a film without subtext, Kubrick maintains Burgess's dark, satirical social commentary. We watch Alex transform from a free-roaming miscreant into a convict used in a government experiment that attempts to reform criminals through an unorthodox new medical treatment. The catch, of course, is that this therapy may be nothing better than a quick cure-all for a society plagued by rampant crime. A Clockwork Orange works on many levels--visual, social, political, and sexual--and is one of the few films that hold up under repeated viewings. Kubrick not only presents colorfully arresting images, he also stylizes the film by utilizing classical music (and Wendy Carlos's electronic classical work) to underscore the violent scenes, which even today are disturbing in their display of sheer nihilism. Ironically, many fans of the film have missed that point, sadly being entertained by its brutality rather than being repulsed by it. --Bryan Reesman

Customer Reviews:

Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0

Long time, no see.:

Been a while since I saw this movie (30yrs).
Forgot how violent it is. Had me stunned for a moment or two.
The props are somewhat old fashioned, but the style, story, acting, soundtrack and photography is superb. The BR transition is not to bad.
A collectors item well worth the money.

Wow, I just don't get it:

I'm a 26 yo male and just watched this movie for the first time tonight after a Saturday night in.
I've heard about this movie my whole life. "Everyone" has seen it. "Everyone" loves it. I just don't get it. It was "okay." It kept me entertained, but not engaged. Yet, it was disappointing.
Maybe people are attracted to the violence or nudity in the movie, I don't know. It didn't offend me in anyway, if I want nudity I'll watch porn. I was hoping for something to take away from this movie so I... more info

Brilliant.:

Teenage gang member & Beethoven enthusiast Alex deLarge is betrayed by his gang of street thugs & goes to prison. A model prisoner, Alex is offered an experimental treatment developed by the government called the Ludivico treatment, which is guaranteed to cure his ultra-violent tendencies & qualify him for early release from prison.
Eager to get out of jail, Alex begins the treatment which turns out to be a form of intense aversion therapy involving nausea-inducing drugs combined with... more info

A dazzling masterpiece!:

In the near future of the UK, a gang called the Droogs lead by young 15 year old Alex (Malcom Mcdowell) as the future has no proper law where they have their own bit of fun every know and they have their own version of fun which means drugs, sex, rape, robbing and the bit of the ol' ultraviolence. Alex always skips school and always been a troublemaker from the start, but during one night when he invades the home of a rich woman as he attacked and killed her, he is confined for a 14 year life sentence... more info

Similar Products:

The Shining [Blu-ray] from Warner Home Video (Blu-ray) - Usually ships in 24 hours

2001 - A Space Odyssey [Blu-ray] from Warner Home Video (Blu-ray) - Usually ships in 24 hours

Full Metal Jacket (Deluxe Edition) [Blu-ray] from Warner Home Video (Blu-ray) - Usually ships in 24 hours

Eyes Wide Shut [Blu-ray] from Warner Home Video (Blu-ray) - Usually ships in 24 hours

Blade Runner (Five-Disc Complete Collector's Edition) [Blu-ray] from Warner Brothers (Blu-ray) - Usually ships in 24 hours

The Godfather - The Coppola Restoration Giftset (The Godfather / The Godfather... from Paramount Home Entertainment (Blu-ray) - Usually ships in 7 to 11 days

GoodFellas [Blu-ray] from Warner Home Video (Blu-ray) - Usually ships in 24 hours

The Road Warrior [Blu-ray] from Warner Home Video (Blu-ray) - Usually ships in 24 hours

The Untouchables (Special Collector's Edition) [Blu-ray] from Paramount (Blu-ray) - Usually ships in 9 to 12 days