- Home
- Seasons
- Scala: Sex, drugs and rock and roll cinema
- A Clockwork Orange
A Clockwork Orange
Stanley Kubrick’s notorious adaptation of Anthony Burgess’s no less controversial book still shocks after 53 years.

-
Director
Stanley Kubrick
-
With
Malcolm McDowell, Patrick McGee, Warren Clarke, Adrienne Corri
-
UK 1971. 136min
-
35mm. A BFI National Archive print
-
Certificate
18
Set in a flamboyantly stylised near-future where boisterous gangs of disenfranchised teenagers revel in acts of ‘ultraviolence’, Kubrick’s adaptation of Anthony Burgess’ novel remains an unsettling cinematic experience. The protagonists’ delinquent antics are the jumping-off point for a chilling social satire on psychological conditioning and social control, but Beethoven-loving Alex and his ‘droogs’ became cult antiheroes for a generation when the film was withdrawn from distribution amidst accusations that it had inspired copycat crimes. David Bowie would copy everything from costumes to poster art in his creation of Ziggy Stardust.
Contains graphic images and scenes of sexual violence.
Also available on BFI Player

BFI Membership
Become a BFI Member from £39 to enjoy priority booking as well as other great benefits all year round.
Join today

