Films based on books are often hit or miss. This is usually due to fans of the novels being so protective of the source material, also hating when the adaptations alter things from the original. Few films achieve the objective of keeping things as close to the original as possible, but according to fans of A Clockwork Orange, Stanley Kubrick may have gotten this one ‘right’ if even he may’ve deviated. Of course it would be Kubrick who would be bold enough to adapt a novel like this. A Clockwork Orange was written with such vulgarity, violence, and vileness that when the movie was released, people were after his head.
Anthony Burgess wrote the novel, having published it in 1962, with Kubrick adapting the screenplay for a 1971 release. At the time, he may have wished he hadn’t. If one only looked at the current state of affairs when making statements or releasing content to the public, it’s not hard to imagine the reaction to this having been released in the 70s. A story rife with sadism, violence, and unpopular political opinions were far more than taboo back then than in comparison to what today’s public discourse would allow. The story takes place in the future, where the streets of Britain are running rampant with violent youth gangs. Alex is one such youth who leads his own crew, wreaking havoc upon innocents until he finally slips up and is convicted of murder. When he hears of an experimental program that would allow him a reduced sentence he wilfully takes part, those overseeing it hoping to purge him of his sociopathic tendencies, thus bringing him back out into the public.
A Clockwork Orange eventually became a hit, critics and fans touting Kubrick as a cinematic genius, even though there were speed bumps along the way.
A Clockwork Orange eventually became a hit, critics and fans touting Kubrick as a cinematic genius, even though there were speed bumps along the way. Kubrick cuts his film as he does most of them, with crafted visuals and music that is haunting, intoxicating, and notoriously dark in style. He shoots many scenes with an unsettling, uneasy tone that can sometimes be tough to sit through. The costumes of the film along with the set design do provoke a feeling of living in a dystopia, making it feel as though it’s a time that has yet to been lived or experienced. Malcolm McDowell headlines this production as Alex, portraying a sadistically troubled youth that is arguably more evil than misunderstood. His performance is disgustingly compelling, almost leaving viewers devoid of any sympathy for him and the repercussions that follow as a result of his inexcusable actions.
Even today, there are those who cannot get all the way through this film. Kubrick has since past, but A Clockwork Orange remains, forever maintained as a provocative piece of cinema. Whether that is a good or a bad thing is probably always going to be debated. Kubrick’s filmmaking style was either genius or madness, but it’s undeniable that it is all his own. Netflix is streaming it in select territories, also online for purchase or rent.
