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A Clockwork Orange
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Actors: Malcolm McDowell, Patrick Magee, Michael Bates, Warren Clarke, and John Clive
Rated: R (Restricted)
Retail Price (not our price): $19.98
Release Date: 2001-06-12
Theatrical Release Date: 1972-02-02
Studio: Warner Home Video
Run Time: 137 minutes
Format: Array
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Letterboxed, Original recording remastered, Widescreen, NTSC
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
Discs: 1


Editorial Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):

1) Amazon.com essential video
Stanley Kubrick's striking visual interpretation of Anthony Burgess's famous novel is a masterpiece. Malcolm McDowell delivers a clever, tongue-in-cheek performance as Alex, the leader of a quartet of droogs, a vicious group of young hoodlums who spend their nights stealing cars, fighting rival gangs, breaking into people's homes, and raping women. While other directors would simply exploit the violent elements of such a film without subtext, Kubrick maintains Burgess's dark, satirical social commentary. We watch Alex transform from a free-roaming miscreant into a convict used in a government experiment that attempts to reform criminals through an unorthodox new medical treatment. The catch, of course, is that this therapy may be nothing better than a quick cure-all for a society plagued by rampant crime. A Clockwork Orange works on many levels--visual, social, political, and sexual--and is one of the few films that hold up under repeated viewings. Kubrick not only presents colorfully arresting images, he also stylizes the film by utilizing classical music (and Wendy Carlos's electronic classical work) to underscore the violent scenes, which even today are disturbing in their display of sheer nihilism. Ironically, many fans of the film have missed that point, sadly being entertained by its brutality rather than being repulsed by it. --Bryan Reesman

2) Amazon.com
Stanley Kubrick's striking visual interpretation of Anthony Burgess's famous novel is a masterpiece. Malcolm McDowell delivers a clever, tongue-in-cheek performance as Alex, the leader of a quartet of droogs, a vicious group of young hoodlums who spend their nights stealing cars, fighting rival gangs, breaking into people's homes, and raping women. While other directors would simply exploit the violent elements of such a film without subtext, Kubrick maintains Burgess's dark, satirical social commentary. We watch Alex transform from a free-roaming miscreant into a convict used in a government experiment that attempts to reform criminals through an unorthodox new medical treatment. The catch, of course, is that this therapy may be nothing better than a quick cure-all for a society plagued by rampant crime. A Clockwork Orange works on many levels--visual, social, political, and sexual--and is one of the few films that hold up under repeated viewings. Kubrick not only presents colorfully arresting images, he also stylizes the film by utilizing classical music (and Wendy Carlos's electronic classical work) to underscore the violent scenes, which even today are disturbing in their display of sheer nihilism. Ironically, many fans of the film have missed that point, sadly being entertained by its brutality rather than being repulsed by it. --Bryan Reesman

Customer Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):
Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5

1) Better than 2001.   [Rating: 5 out of 5]
This is Stanley Kubrick's greatest work; it is one of the most technically inventive and impressive films ever shot, while at the same time exposing the repulsive hypocrisies of the world which has changed very little (if not gotten worse) since 1971.

2) Blu-ray much better than DVD   [Rating: 5 out of 5]
My comments only concern the DVD versus Blu-ray issue. I have an older version of the DVD (Stanley Kubrick Collection, white box) and the Blu-ray version. My experience has been that DVDs mastered in high definition look identical to the Blu-ray version (either on a Blu-ray player or an upconvert DVD player). In this case, the Blu-ray version is MUCH better. The differece is much like the samples used in stores to show the difference betwee regular and high definition--you know, grainy on one side sharp on the other. Although my DVD version is widescreen, it is old enough that it is not enhanced for widescreen TVs. As a result, it is only as wide as a full screen version and with widescreen aspect ratio it looks like a postage stamp in the middle of the screen. Even worse, the transer is not very good. In general, the colors are brighter and the details sharper on the Blu-ray version. This may not matter as much as it does for 2001 (where, again, the Blu-ray version is much better), but the better picture using the whole screen is so much better! That would be enough to recommend the Blu-ray version, but it also has several special features, including a commentary track, a documentary, and a featurette. The only extra on the DVD version is the trailer (which I don't even consider a special feature anymore). In this case, the Blu-ray is definitely worth it, even if you already have the DVD version.

3) An iconoclastic look at the dark side of life.   [Rating: 4 out of 5]
This is a very difficult movie to watch. The cruelty of the gang is horrible but I think necessary for the rest of the movie to work. Malcolm Mcdowell gives, in my opinion, the best performance of his career and wasn't even recognized with an academy award nomination. The social commentary in this movie about violence and the establishment approach to a "cure" is disturbing and thought provoking. The use of of "Singing in the Rain" in the most violent scene and the use of the music of Beethoven throughout was brilliant and horrible at the same time. This is one of the best examples of a very unpleasant subject being shown with brilliance and genius.

4) A Clockwork Classic!   [Rating: 5 out of 5]
I like this movie because of the storyline and it's dark, creepy, and has the classic look of the 1970's. I had my mom watch it, and she hated it. It's very different from other movies. Do some research before you see it. If you like what it sounds like, then you should definately buy it!

5) Clockwork Orange HD   [Rating: 5 out of 5]
Very good vid transfer to HD. Great movie, and fun to watch in HD.