Search - A Clockwork Orange [Widescreen] on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Graphic Violence, Rape & Sexual Abuse, Not For Children Movie Release: 1971 DVD Release: 06/29/1999 Format: DVD - Soft-Matted WSE for 16x9 TV Edition: Dual Layered,Special Collection Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English, French SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 17 mins Studio: Warner Home Video Members Wishing: 44 Genres: Science Fiction, Satire, Juvenile Delinquency Film, Psychological Sci-Fi See Also: A Clockwork Orange [Widescreen], A Clockwork Orange [Widescreen Collector's Edition], A Clockwork Orange [Blu-ray], A Clockwork Orange [Special Edition], A Clockwork Orange [HD DVD], Clockwork Orange

Stanley Kubrick dissects the nature of violence in this darkly ironic, near-future satire, adapted from Anthony Burgess's novel, complete with "Nadsat" slang. Classical music-loving proto-punk Alex (Malcolm McDowell) and his "Droogs" spend their nights getting high at the Korova Milkbar before embarking on "a little of the old ultraviolence," such as terrorizing a writer, Mr. Alexander (Patrick Magee), and gang raping his wife (who later dies as a result). After Alex is jailed for bludgeoning the Cat Lady (Miriam Karlin) to death with one of her phallic sculptures, Alex submits to the Ludovico behavior modification technique to earn his freedom; he's conditioned to abhor violence through watching gory movies, and even his adored Beethoven is turned against him. Returned to the world defenseless, Alex becomes the victim of his prior victims, with Mr. Alexander using Beethoven's Ninth to inflict the greatest pain of all. When society sees what the state has done to Alex, however, the politically expedient move is made. Casting a coldly pessimistic view on the then-future of the late '70s-early '80s, Kubrick and production designer John Barry created a world of high-tech cultural decay, mixing old details like bowler hats with bizarrely alienating "new" environments like the Milkbar. Alex's violence is horrific, yet it is an aesthetically calculated fact of his existence; his charisma makes the icily clinical Ludovico treatment seem more negatively abusive than positively therapeutic. Alex may be a sadist, but the state's autocratic control is another violent act, rather than a solution. Released in late 1971 (within weeks of Sam Peckinpah's brutally violent Straw Dogs), the film sparked considerable controversy in the U.S. with its X-rated violence; after copycat crimes in England, Kubrick withdrew the film from British distribution until after his death. Opinion was divided on the meaning of Kubrick's detached view of this shocking future, but, whether the discord drew the curious or Kubrick's scathing diagnosis spoke to the chaotic cultural moment, A Clockwork Orange became a hit. On the heels of New York Film Critics Circle awards as Best Film, Best Director, and Best Screenplay, Kubrick received Oscar nominations in all three categories. ~ Lucia Bozzola, All Movie Guide

Malcolm McDowell - Alex
Patrick Magee - Mr. Frank Alexander
Michael Bates - Chief Guard
Adrienne Corri - Mrs. Alexander
Warren Clarke - Dim
Aubrey Morris - P.R. Deltoid

Stanley Kubrick's controversial vision, detailing absurd violence and equally absurd rehabilitation, comes across in all of its humorous fury on DVD. Kubrick's amazing visuals shock and stun here as much as they ever have. The widescreen format allows the "ultra-violence" to unfold in the director's trademark symmetrical manner. The sound is as sufficient as a mono soundtrack can be; Kubrick recorded many of his films in mono. There does seem to be some digital flutter to background images during excessively dark or bright scenes, and the black level could be a bit blacker, but these minor issues never warrant enough distraction to take away from the witty, stylish mayhem of the movie. Kubrick fans looking for special features will be disappointed. The "Jump to a Scene" feature allows instant access to all 36 chapters (detailed only by chapter numbers and captions). The theatrical trailer is goofy fun (but not much to see), as images from the film scream by with goofy adjectives praising the film. The "Awards" section is simply a list of various nominations and awards won by the film, with some static images of Kubrick to the sides. A Clockwork Orange remains a shocking, enjoyable film. This bare-bones DVD serves it sufficiently. ~ Tim DiGravina, All Movie Guide