A Clockwork Orange

A Clockwork Orange

Year: 1971

Runtime: 136 min

Language: English

Director: Stanley Kubrick

Sci-FiDramaThrillerCrime

In this dystopian morality tale, Stanley Kubrick brings Anthony Burgess' novel to life with a haunting critique of free will versus conditioning. Alex McDowell's titular character revels in ultra-violent chaos until he's captured and subjected to a treatment that transforms him into a "clockwork orange" - a shell of his former self, now impotent against the primal urges driving him.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen A Clockwork Orange yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Explore the full timeline and setting of A Clockwork Orange (1971). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Futuristic, unspecified

The movie unfolds in a futuristic society plagued by youth delinquency and moral decay. During this time, social and governmental control are challenged, leading to controversial treatments and experimental programs aimed at reducing crime. The film critiques the extremes of behavioral conditioning and the loss of free will in an increasingly authoritarian society.

Location

London, Korova Milk Bar, countryside, secluded home

The film is set in a dystopian version of London, characterized by its bleak and oppressive atmosphere. The Korova Milk Bar, where the protagonist and his gang gather, is notorious for serving drug-laced milk, attracting a violent youth subculture. The surrounding countryside serves as a contrasting backdrop to their chaos, highlighting the tension between urban life and nature. A secluded home becomes the stage for one of the film's most heinous acts, illustrating the invasion of private spaces by a destructive force.

🏙️ City 🍶 Bar 🌳 Countryside 🏡 Home

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:07

Main Characters – A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Meet the key characters of A Clockwork Orange (1971), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Alex DeLarge (Malcolm McDowell)

Alex is a charismatic and violent delinquent who thrives on chaos and pleasure. His personality is marked by a sociopathic disregard for others, and he finds joy in inflicting pain. Despite his charm, Alex is deeply flawed, representing the darker side of human nature.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Protagonist 🎸 Charismatic 💀 Sociopath

Frank Alexander (Patrick Magee)

Frank is a victim of Alex's brutal past, representing the consequences of violence on innocents. As a writer, he embodies the intellectual struggle against the societal collapse around him. His character illustrates themes of revenge and the haunting aftermath of trauma.

📚 Victim 💔 Traumatized ⚖️ Seek Justice

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:07

Major Themes – A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Explore the central themes of A Clockwork Orange (1971), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔫 Violence

A prevalent theme throughout the film, violence is portrayed as both a form of rebellion and a path to control. The protagonist, Alex, revels in violent acts which reflect his deep-seated impulses and societal influences. The film examines how violence can distort humanity and the moral fabric of society.

🎭 Free Will vs Control

A central conflict of the narrative is the struggle between free will and external control. Through Alex's experience with the Ludovico Technique, the movie raises questions about the morality of using radical methods to suppress human behavior. Ultimately, it explores whether true rehabilitation is possible under oppressive systems.

🎶 Pleasure in Sadism

The film intricately connects Alex's love for classical music, particularly Beethoven, with his sadistic tendencies. Music serves as both a source of pleasure and a psychological torment, reflecting the duality of beauty and brutality within his character. This theme underlies his identity, inviting viewers to confront their own interpretations of savagery.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:07

Similar Movies to A Clockwork Orange
Discover movies like A Clockwork Orange that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.