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Sci-fi's contribution to the 10 most controversial films is ...
Inspired by Lars von Trier's new "nausea-inducing piece of cinema" Antichrist, Rotten Tomatoes has picked their most controversial movies of all time, and A Clockwork Orange was the one sci-fi film that made their list.
Here's what they had to say about the 1971 picture, which was rated X in the U.S. when it was originally released:
Stanley Kubrick's vision of a dystopian society and the corruption of power in near-future England was banned by its own director, after copycat killings with gangs of thugs dressed up as Alexander DeLarge (Malcolm McDowell) and his 'droogs.' The "ultra violent" journey of madness (based on Anthony Burgess' novel) involves daily, ritualistic beatings—plus there's the rape and clubbing to death of a yuppie housewife (with a giant phallus, no less) and some equally grim brainwashing techniques. So disturbed was Kubrick by the film's potentially catastrophic content that he never allowed the theatrical ban to be lifted in England.
To check out the rest of the films on the list, visit Rotten Tomatoes.
By Paul at 10:37 AM ON 12/02/09
This was on the RetroPlex movie channel on Halloween and it's still an incredible piece of film-making. Just as powerful now as ever.
By IronOre at 10:37 AM ON 12/02/09
Watching A Clockwork Orange does make listening to Beethoven a completely different experience.
By Muldfeld at 11:10 AM ON 12/02/09
I refuse to watch this film. I remember being a first year university student, listening to a used CD "Priest=Aura" by the Australian group The Church I had just gotten into; it wasn't anything great, except for the last, instrumental track. Anyway, so I'm getting into it, and I turn my head to look at what my room-mate was doing and he had downloaded "A Clockwork Orange" and there was this rape scene going on. I looked away after I realized what was going on, but, whenever I listen to that track, I remember that scene and it has ruined it for me. Some things I just don't need to see. I think there might have been another such scene later on, when the gang breaks into a rich person's home and starts harrassing the woman who's home; I'm not sure, though; I didn't want to know.
By antodav at 11:15 AM ON 12/02/09
It's really only controversial because of the violence, misogyny, and overt sexuality—but the same could be said of any Stanley Kubrick film.
This really is a great film about government control over civilians and is libertarian and anti-socialist in a lot of ways. That message however gets lost to some who can't look beyond its grotesque surface. Too bad. It's probably Kubrick's best work, though whether or not it really counts as sci-fi is I think questionable, especially today.
By Z at 11:28 AM ON 12/02/09
One of the first pre-Mad Max "punk" films.
By Fedaykin at 12:41 PM ON 12/02/09
Controversial when it was released, but it's almost tame by today's standards. (I just watched Oldboy last night, makes Clockwork Orange look like Sesame Street).
By Mr X at 1:23 PM ON 12/02/09
I have to agree with Fedaykin on this. It is rather tame compared to the crap put out nowadays.
Although still a masterpiece, I am surprised that Hollywood hasnt optioned it to give it a modern retelling to a new audience. Oh and f*ck it all up in the process.
By goddogx at 7:06 AM ON 12/03/09
still the greatest movie i have ever seen (out of well over 10,000 - i'm 61 and for many years watched 3 movies a day - IN THEATRES!
By rob at 3:27 PM ON 01/03/10
...."So disturbed was Kubrick by the film's potentially catastrophic content that he never allowed the theatrical ban to be lifted in England" This is simply not true.....do your research you lazy hacks
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rob:
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