"A Clockwork Orange" is one of my all time favourite films, and Malcolm McDowell is a big part of that. So obviously I sought after other things that featured the man, and this was his first claim to fame. This film is very interesting, to say the least. It's revolves around a revolution in a private school, led by McDowell's Mick Travis.
During the first 70 minutes of the film, it's all very played down and restrained, as it's all very simple revolts, such as Travis and two of his friends drinking a bottle of Vodka, so the characters are meant to be relatable for teen-ages who enter that rebellious stage.
However as the films progresses the acts of rebellion grow with it. At one point during a school-wife military drill, Travis and his friends switch out their false ammunition's for real bullets and then shooting at several students and members of staff, and full on physically assaulting a teacher.
And as the film reaches it's climax, Travis and the gangs biggest act of revolt. As punishment for the gun incident, the boys are forced to clean out underneath the stage in the hall, there they inexplicably find ammunition and guns. They rig the room to fill with smoke during the colleges founding day, which causes everyone to run outside, where they would unleash fire upon the civilians. Suddenly the climax of "Inglourious Basterds" seems awfully familiar.
Despite being quite despicable people, Travis and his mates are quite likeable people, and McDowell and his co-stars all give good performances, as does Arthur Lowe (Day's Army) as Mr. Kemp, the boys' housemaster.
From what I understand, the film is connected to another, called "O' Lucky Man", as it features McDowell reprising the role of Mick Travis, so I guess I'll watch that soon too. But "If..." is a pretty solid film.
During the first 70 minutes of the film, it's all very played down and restrained, as it's all very simple revolts, such as Travis and two of his friends drinking a bottle of Vodka, so the characters are meant to be relatable for teen-ages who enter that rebellious stage.
However as the films progresses the acts of rebellion grow with it. At one point during a school-wife military drill, Travis and his friends switch out their false ammunition's for real bullets and then shooting at several students and members of staff, and full on physically assaulting a teacher.
And as the film reaches it's climax, Travis and the gangs biggest act of revolt. As punishment for the gun incident, the boys are forced to clean out underneath the stage in the hall, there they inexplicably find ammunition and guns. They rig the room to fill with smoke during the colleges founding day, which causes everyone to run outside, where they would unleash fire upon the civilians. Suddenly the climax of "Inglourious Basterds" seems awfully familiar.
Despite being quite despicable people, Travis and his mates are quite likeable people, and McDowell and his co-stars all give good performances, as does Arthur Lowe (Day's Army) as Mr. Kemp, the boys' housemaster.
From what I understand, the film is connected to another, called "O' Lucky Man", as it features McDowell reprising the role of Mick Travis, so I guess I'll watch that soon too. But "If..." is a pretty solid film.