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Clockwork Orange | 
| Studio: Warner Studios
Category: Video
Buy Used: $1.49
New (14) Used (44) Collectible (13) from $1.49
Rating:  775 reviews
Sales Rank: 4158
Language: English (Original Language)
Media: VHS Tape
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 4.2 x 1.1
ISBN: 0790701022
UPC: 012569103139
EAN: 9780790701028
ASIN: 0790701022
Theatrical Release Date: February 2, 1972
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
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
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
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| Customer Reviews: Read 45 more reviews...
 Brilliant. November 20, 2008
D. Kominek (NJ)
Teenage gang member & Beethoven enthusiast Alex deLarge is betrayed by his gang of street thugs & goes to prison. A model prisoner, Alex is offered an experimental treatment developed by the government called the Ludivico treatment, which is guaranteed to cure his ultra-violent tendencies & qualify him for early release from prison.
Eager to get out of jail, Alex begins the treatment which turns out to be a form of intense aversion therapy involving nausea-inducing drugs combined with forced viewing of violent visual imagery such as films of Nazi attrocities, designed to create a negative response to violence. During the treatment, Alex is horrified that some of the graphic films he is forced to watch are accompanied by his favorite song, Beethoven's 9th Symphony & sadly realizes that along with violence, he will also end up adverse to his beloved Beethoven.
When Alex's treatment is complete, the prison arranges a formal demonstration in front of a large audience of government & medical bigwigs. Alex is lead onstage where he is unwittingly put to the test in live situations involving sex & violence. Two scenarios are presented to him: an irritating man picks a fight with him, challenging him to brawl & a provacative woman stands before him topless, as if inviting him to ravish her. Each time Alex goes to act on his natural urges he is immediately struck by a feeling of intense terror-he can't breathe & feels as if he willl vomit. Finally he is brought to his knees on the stage floor, begging pathetically for mercy. The demonstration is deemed a success & the audience claps enthusiastically...but the sound of booming applause is interrupted when the prison chaplain quickly points out that Alex's so-called aversion to violence is obviously just a Pavlovian response to the conditioning of the Ludivico therapy, the resulting abstinence, nothing but a sad mechanical (like clockwork) reaction. Nonetheless, Alex is released early from prison as promised & goes home where he seems genuinely intent on starting over fresh as a reformed criminal.. Almost immediately however, he is met with conflict. He learns that his old street-gang mates have become police officers, a job where they are free to indulge the same violent behavior they did in their gang days-only legally (an ongoing theme in the movie) & they brutalize & beat him mercilessly.
Next, Alex crosses paths with a succession of past victims from his gang days, all eager for revenge. Unable to defend himself as a result of the Ludivico, he tries to end his life, jumping from a building in despair. When he wakes up, he is in the hospital, having suffered severe injuries, including head trauma as a
result of the suicide attempt. He learns that the brutal Ludivico treatment he suffered has been deemed cruel & inhumane by government detractors & that he is being sanctified & celebrated by the press & anti-government groups. Intent on damage control, a high ranking government official visits Alex in the hospital & apologizes to him profusely for the Ludivico treatment, assuring him that the government will compensate him for all his pain & suffering by reversing the treatment & returning him to his old self, & by kicking him a cushy government job with generous pay "a good job on a good salary", if he agrees not to speak out about the Ludivico treatment.
Alex enthusiastically agrees.
The last scene implies that Alex has indeed been cured & is once again enjoying the lifestyle of violence, depravity & Beethoven, as well as a new career with the government.
A dazzling masterpiece! November 12, 2008
John Lindsey (Socorro, New Mexico USA.)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
In the near future of the UK, a gang called the Droogs lead by young 15 year old Alex (Malcom Mcdowell) as the future has no proper law where they have their own bit of fun every know and they have their own version of fun which means drugs, sex, rape, robbing and the bit of the ol' ultraviolence. Alex always skips school and always been a troublemaker from the start, but during one night when he invades the home of a rich woman as he attacked and killed her, he is confined for a 14 year life sentence in Prison. But two years later the Government decides to make a program that can reabiliate crooks through special programming that can make them nice and normal citizens without commiting any crime as Alex is the first person to go through this program but can he remain sane and rational or will his horrible past haunt him?
A brilliant and unique Sci-fi drama from Stanley Kubrick is one of his greatest movies ever! this is based on a book by Anthony Burgess and has became one of the most influential movies ever. The performances by the cast including Star Wars's David Prowse as one of Alex's Droogs is superb especially McDowell. The film tells about society in the future gone terribly mad that uses memorable images, disturbing subject matter and an unforgettable electronic music score by Wendy Carlos. This is one trippy and wild motion picture no film fantatic should miss, it's a once-in-a-lifetime cult classic that has been acclaimed by critics everywhere and even caused controversy in it's time.
This Blu-Ray features spectacular picture and sound with some cool extras like audio commentary, two documentaries, Career Profile on Malcom Mcdowell and Trailer.
 Eh, I was hoping for more. November 11, 2008
Kelsey
0 out of 6 found this review helpful
I heard this movie was originally rated X, so of course being the rebel I am, I decided to go and watch it. Man, was I disappointed or what! I was expecting a risque movie. Instead it was an "artistic" movie with only about ten sex scenes. I was expecting hot stuff! I was robbed, I tell you. This movie is overrated cal. You guys only like it because you feel smart trying to translate the funny language they use. Stanley Kubrick is lame, watch some Uwe Boll instead.
Classic Movie! Must Have! November 3, 2008
Justin D. Lemme (Tokyo, Japan)
Such a classic movie, this is an absolute MUST have movie for anyone who enjoys Stanley Kubric movies. Outstanding!!
The Blu-Ray is even better with the remastering, as well as the special features. Great buy!
Pretty Good Set, Gorgeous Transfer. November 1, 2008
Sparrow Townshend
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I'm assuming that if you want this product, you've already seen the movie, so I'm just going to talk about the DVD rather than the film itself.
The packaging is very nice, I love the black-and-orange color scheme rather than the "classic" white and orange. The DVDs themselves look nice too: the main disc features the same artwork as the cover, and the bonus disc has the "clockwork eye" pop art poster image from the re-release. The menus are fairly well-done and simple, not too fancy or annoying. As for special features, the documentaries are pretty interesting, especially the making-of. Don't expect too much, this is an older film and there's not a ton of bonus material. However, if you are a big Clockwork Orange/Malcom McDowell/Kubrick fan, the few extras make the set worth buying. The best feature of the set is by far the Malcolm Mcdowell commentary, which is entertaining and informative. It really makes this a must-buy for fans of the film.
I owned the older DVD of this film beforehand, which had a pretty cruddy transfer with not-so-great colors and NO special features. On the other hand...this new edition has a GORGEOUS transfer, the same one used for the HD-DVD and Blu-ray. I really noticed the brightness of the colors this time, especially in Alex's house. The image is crisp and free of scratches/dust/deterioration. It looks absolutely stunning. I noticed many things I'd never noticed before in the older print, and the gaudy colors really enhance the experience of the film.
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