A Clockwork Orange

Stanley Kubrick, 1971 (9.4*)

AFI Top 100

Filmed from the sf novel by Anthony Burgess, now a recognized masterpiece, Clockwork is a frighteningly uncompromising look at a future ruled by ultraviolence, apathy, and urban decay. Malcolm McDowell leads his gang, The Druggies, in a star-making role; at night get tanked up and then he and his "malchicks" go out for "a little of the old ultra-violence".

The incredible language engineered by Burgess includes English, Russian, street slang, and required a glossary in the book, "viddy it well". Kubrick has remained faithful to the book's vision, and created a startling, visionary work that may be eerily prophetic. The book was about a true incident that happened to Burgess and his wife, and this was his attemped exorcism. Brilliant stuff, as was Kubrick's use of Beethoven and Walter Carlos' music, inventive and ground-breaking.

Quote: Come and get one in the yarbles, if you have any yarbles that is, ya eunuch yelly thou!
Quote2: ello, ello, ello lit'l sisters - wot you got at home to play your fuzzy warbles on, eh?