Are We Supposed to Identify with Alex? - A Clockwork Orange (1971) | Screenwriting

*Very light spoiler for Goodfellas. I say where Henry Hill ends up, but this is common historical knowledge. I do not spoil any plot points.*
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Cutting things Alex does in the novel for transgressive or even practical purposes removes misdeeds that Alex could have committed, thus potentially making him less evil. This creates very tough questions to consider. Should we sympathize with Alex? Perhaps a more important question is: do we sympathize with Alex regardless of whether or not we should? And, is making Alex more tame in the movie a bad thing?
#Kubrick #Screenwriting #AClockworkOrange
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This video essay was written, edited, and narrated by Tyler Knudsen.
Kubrick: "Certainly one thing which relates to the story is the question of how authority can cope with problems of law and order without becoming too oppressive and, more particularly, in relation to the ever-increasing view that politics are irrelevant to the solution of social problems, that there's no time for political and legal solutions, that social issues have to be solved immediately even if this means going outside law and politics. What solutions authority may evolve certainly concerns me, and is one of the great unanswered social problems."
Sources:
Cinephilia & Beyond - ‘A Clockwork Orange’: Kubrick and Burgess’ Vision of the Modern World - bit.ly/2CAfI0o
Eyes on Cinema: Kubrick interview clip • Video
The Old Ultra-Violence: A Clockwork Orange - January 30, 2018 Vincent LoBrutto
Bluray Commentary
Mind’s Eye: A Clockwork Orange - John Hofsess 1971
Kubrick Archives - Alison Castle
A Clockwork Orange (1971) - Turning Like Clockwork
Interviews About Stanley Kubrick, 1970s - Film 31534
GREAT BOLSHY YARBLOCKOS! Making A Clockwork Orange - Gary Leva
My Droog Hell by Gareth Grundy
Kubrick Exhibit Book
Masks of Violence by Marisa Buovolo
Kubrick New Perspectives
Excerpts From Rare Kubrick Interview By Siskel In 1972 - March 08, 1999
Interview with Stanley Kubrick regarding A Clockwork Orange by Philip Strick & Penelope Houston
Anthony Burgess and Malcom McDowell analysis Clockwork Orange - James MacAndrew - • Anthony Burgess and Ma...
Clips:
The Killing (1956 dir. Stanley Kubrick)
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964 dir. Stanley Kubrick)
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968 dir. Stanley Kubrick)
A Clockwork Orange (1971 dir. Stanley Kubrick)
Barry Lyndon (1975 dir. Stanley Kubrick)
The Shining (1980 dir. Stanley Kubrick)
Full Metal Jacket (1987 dir. Stanley Kubrick)
Eyes Wide Shut (1999 dir. Stanley Kubrick)
American Psycho (2000 dir. Mary Harron)
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1989 dir. John McNaughton)
Richard III (1955 dir. Laurence Olivier)
Goodfellas (1990 dir. Martin Scorsese)
The Ox-Bow Incident (1943 dir. William A. Wellman)
Music:
Epidemic Sound

[@sniffinggluewontkeepfamili3387]

the ol' ultra-violence makes me feel bolnoy in the guttiwutts

[@Yourlibrarian]

The ‘ol Moloko makes me splodge in me neezhnies.

[@eternityD9]

@@Yourlibrarian What.

[@Yourlibrarian]

Sheo it’s slang from the book. I pretty much said I’m lactose intolerant.

[@txta786]

Mihoy minoy noy

[@knuckle12356]

True 'orrorshow.

[@Krommer1000]

For some reason I'm always taken back by the sound of Kubrick's voice. He doesn't sound how I imagine he would. Oh, and great vid.

[@Asherbw]

Krommer1000 same

[@greenvelvet]

Yeah, throws me off too

[@TheGyroBarqusShow]

The same here, i thought it would be deeper than this but actually a nice voice tone and really relaxing.

[@zetetick395]

Yeah, It's kinda like when you finally get to see a photo of some Radio DJ that you've been listening to for years, and they look _completely unlike_ you've imagined! (Even if you've never _consciously_ thought about what they might look like in RL) !? @.@ !?

[@thomdrolet2624]

He sounds like Jeff Goldblum.

[@laubedunfou2848]

I can't stress enough how under-mentioned the brilliance of filmmaking in this movie. Glorious camera work, unprecedented mise en scène, psychedelic inapiration.... This movie feels like it belongs to a distant planet. What a director...

[@skeletonkey6]

Well, said my friend, well said! 💯 percent

[@mjaada]

I think the thing is that the Alex is honest to the audience All the characters in the movie are bad in some way, but because of the narration Alex is the only honest character

[@1qwasz12]

He is also more likable than most of the other characters. He's witty, clever, handsome and and in love with life.

[@HopsinThaGoat]

Also the film gives off that 'futuristic' dystopian vibe where it's simply using Alex as the narrator because the movie is trying to suggest that Alex is a product of his environment and that Alex is just an average punk in a city full gangs and corruption.

[@ChristopherGHope]

Is Alex an honest character (or an unreliable narrator)? Kubrick chose to give Alex a mask which has a long nose that makes him look like Pinocchio, whose nose grows when he lies. Perhaps we only identify with Alex, because we accept his lies.

[@Madsy9]

@@ChristopherGHope That's what I also vaguely remember from watching the movie a decade ago, as well as reading the book. Some things Alex says is intentionally kept ambiguous.

[@davidlean1060]

I couldn't of said it better. Exactly my thoughts. @@ChristopherGHope

[@pretorious700]

Even after all these years, those eye clamps freak me out.

[@melissacooper4282]

I agree. I've heard that Malcolm McDowell got blinded temporarily by those clamps! The part where the doctors were putting drops in his eyes? Those were real life doctors. And they were doing that so he wouldn't go blind permanently.

[@melmontel]

@RapedByRepublicansII dang

[@Pontificate]

@RapedByRepublicansII I actually kinda think this is hilarious but the I heard the only reason Alex had a pet snake was because Malcolm was terrified of snakes and Stanley just wanted to fuck with him. It’s seems Malcolm had the most fun with it, I read he knew Kubrick had a crush on one of the girls from the record store scene and purposely teased him about it on set. This fill is the perfect balance of asshole Kubrick and Nice Kubrick.

[@planes124]

@@melissacooper4282 no it’s to hydrate the eye , also if you read into it one take the eye clamps cut Alex’s cornea.

[@CarelessPrincess]

It is the most disburbing thing in the movie

[@jasondouglas152]

It's crazy to see Alex being held like a baby by Darth Vader

[@melissacooper4282]

I thought it crazier to see Darth Vader without his suit and mask on!

[@melmontel]

Fr he kinda looks like luke skywalker and somewhat anakin

[@melissacooper4282]

@@melmontel which one? Alex or Vader?

[@melmontel]

@@melissacooper4282 alex bcuz of the hair and the blue eyes

[@crispyred3978]

No one is corrupted watching Clockwork Orange anymore than they are when watching a Disney film

[@UltimateKyuubiFox]

The true brilliance of this movie is that I think Alex got exactly the karmic punishment he deserved upon his release back into society. Yet I didn’t enjoy it. That distinction is very important and it’s something that the film captures perfectly. Even when something feels proportionate in its severity, it can still make you uncomfortable. The question I felt I was being asked throughout the film is “I don’t have any judgements about the way you view Alex-yet what do you gain by seeing him suffer the consequences?” By indirectly asking the audience why we might enjoy watching his suffering, it asks if we ourselves are not similar to Alex in our lust for ‘ultraviolence’. An important question to ask. If we are to accept that it is right for us as civilized people to enjoy his suffering, is he not right as a criminal to expect sympathy for the suffering he experiences? The answer then might be you can only rightfully enact punishment onto him if you do not feel good about watching it... Yet, in essence, this is what the psychiatrists do. If the film convinces us that removing free will is a bad thing and we should then punish him normal way, we come to a more directly violent method akin to Alex’s own-the person we wish to punish. And yet if we think the psychiatrists are right and that stripping him of his free-will is okay, we must essentially watch the slow and painful demise of a literally helpless person-the act that he is being punished for. The film is genius because it creates a thematic loop. You can never untangle it because it’s always eating itself.

[@moonlily1]

Because you're not a sociopath or a sadist. To a healthy mind, this should be distasteful even if it is just.

[@patrickparker8417]

" Karmic " ,oh boy .

[@dolf370]

I assume "Yet I didn't enjoy it" refers to the karmic punishment, not the movie rendering of it. Fully agree, the brilliance is that Alex reaps what he has sown, and yet I as a viewer sympathize with him, not the ones meeting out what he actually deserves. Personally, when I saw the movie the first time in the beginning of the 80s at had a profound cathartic effect on me, just because it wasn't didactic or told me what to think or feel. I walked a dm above the ground on my way home from the cinema.

[@davidlean1060]

I disagree. The very last scene is actually a wedding scene. Yes, he is in flagrante delicato, but the slow motion shot, as opposed to the sped up sex scenes elsewhere in the film, hint that his attitude to sex has changed. He is a better individual by the very end.

[@jenniferellison3480]

Ultimate - yes! I love this summation

[@deficitmusic9959]

Films don’t scare me but there really is something about a clockwork orange that unsettles me. From its opening scene to its last it consistently disturbs me.

[@ZR38315]

Yeah it’s one of the only movies that actually made me feel unwell as I watched it

[@melissacooper4282]

I don't know about me but it definitely made my cat throw up!

[@goopah]

@@melissacooper4282 You need to start your cat out with some less disturbing films. Such as "Cat People" or "Rear Window". :)

[@lilithdoyle5703]

“Martyrs” remember me in therapy!

[@BryanMcPherson]

It’s not enjoyable

[@warlockofwordsreturnsrb4358]

Short answer - no, but just like Burgess' book, we're not supposed to utterly despise him either.

[@GizmoMaltese]

I think we're supposed to question our own desire to see him suffer and our own enjoyment of his suffering. I wanted Alex to suffer. It made me question myself.

[@ZR38315]

GizmoMaltese agreed. He’s clearly a giant bag of shit and no one should identify with him. But we should question if wanting him to receive the inhumane treatment he gets makes us any better

[@zetetick395]

We can all appreciate his authenticity, even though that authenticity is vile.

[@Jim-Tuner]

The different endings of the book and the movie make a single answer nearly impossible to the question. Burgess had a very different point of view on the character than the directed did.

[@scottpasta8595]

@@Jim-Tuner Anyone who likes or supports Alex is a piece of shit lmao. There is no excusing or redeeming the things he's done, not really.

[@Tony-fq5bn]

Evan Peters looks like a young Malcolm McDowell to me, and he also plays many roles than seem like they could be inspired by A Clockwork Orange(he always seems to play someone thats at least a little psycho)

[@MovieChannel45]

Like Father Like Son lol

[@adamgh0]

9:37 I use that line a lot and nobody gets it. "Try the wine" is another one.

[@wiktorbrozek7629]

Of course we want More about Clockwork Orange on this channel! Maybe next episode will be about set design. That post modern architecture and art in this movie always intrigged me. For me it always looked like stereotypical future. When i see that world i feel uncomfortable. It looks like post modern architecture of communist countries in XX century that Now looks very old but them it was fresh and new.

[@CinemaTyler]

The cool thing is that, since I do a bunch of research and then separate the info into categories for videos, I have about 22 pages of notes on just the cinematography/production design/locations of A Clockwork Orange already. I will definitely be returning to A Clockwork Orange in the near future!

[@karlkarlos3545]

@@CinemaTyler Well, I wouldn't be too sad if you could move on to another movie or another director for a change. Not that I complain. I'm just curious about your take on ather things.

[@MicahMicahel]

It looks like a 1970s version of the future. That's what it is obviously, but the movie influenced culture so much that it doesn't exactly date itself, but looks intensely of its time. The degeneracy was influenced from the increasing crime wave that peaked in the eighties. Similarily, Escape From New York looks like a future vision imagined from the eighties crime wave.

[@vibeconnoisseur6700]

Its filmed on some council estates in london that look sooo different to 'project buildings' you guys are used to

[@blasterman789]

Typical social dystopia depicted by futurists in the late 60's. That part of the film (and the book) should have been emphasized more more than Eric Idle inspired 'ultra violence'.

[@jmalmsten]

I find it curious that the people who are most afraid of those who grow up not knowing the difference between fantasy and reality... are usually the ones who have the most trouble with that distinction... Kids playing fighting games and tabletop roleplaying games and watching violent movies have no problem distinguishing what is real. But the extremist police of cultural morals... well... they do far too often use very curious reasoning...

[@paulhunter1525]

That's so true, Especially when police use excuse of, he/she fit the description of a criminal. Or shoot somebody as they're running away. Or beat suspect who just happens to be handcuffed, claimed That person threatened police officer

[@NothingHumanisAlientoMe]

The problem is Alex does exist. He is a genuine model of amoral psychopathic mindedness. Interestingly the only guy on his side was the *man of God* . To say art cannot influence us to act is too far - who is to say where we really picked up our motivations from - our ideas - for instance in a world with no real higher authority than hedonism and domination- why is Alex a bad man? He is just a malfunctioning machine that must be corrected. Harm reduction has replaced morality. Free will is recognised as folly. Obviously those who determine who is a bad man are philosopher kings... You are correct *extremist police of cultural morals* ...spooky bloody people... yes the book burners seem to have their heart almost in the right place but kind of ...blah...French Revolution...blah...okay we have all sit down at the table and engage in mass talking to avoid good old fashioned ultra-violence. Hail 2020 the rebirth of rationalism is at hand!

[@tsitracommunications2884]

And teens as well

[@merces47letifer4]

@@paulhunter1525 well, Paul, ya misinterpreted that one

[@floatingsara]

Well, no: kids do have problems in recognising what is real ! This is why they cause accidents some times. But yeah, when adults do the same, that's a big problem.

[@camorinbatchelder6514]

One thing that always annoyed me about Ebert’s review of Clockwork was that he assumed Kubrick himself loved the character of Alex. I don’t think Kubrick liked Alex de Large at all; Stanley depicts Alex as a liar (hence, the big Pinocchio nose on his mask) and a sellout, because of his willingness to sign up for the Ludivicho treatment, which the post-apocalyptic fascist gov’t in the film would love to use on ALL citizens of the UK.

[@pretorious700]

Ebert was a dope.

[@macmcleod1188]

@bob bobo so much better than today's shills who transparently rate based on continued early access.

[@GregorasProject]

I think Ebert saw Kubrick as too Right-wing. he was TRIggEred

[@paulhunter1525]

Big Brother want you to love him regards of what Government does...

[@MartinGiacomo]

@@pretorious700 Roger Ebert tried his hand in film and he failed (I watched one his attempts only because I liked Erica Gavin and I should have just re-watched Vixen instead). More often than not critics are big time failures at what they currently critique, the moral kids don't have anyone tell you want to see or not see or what is good or bad. Use your own judgment.

[@HaydenofEverything]

I feel that the reason why I personally like Alex DeLarge as a character is because, not only do we get the most in-depth look into his character and not only do we have a marvelous performance from Malcom McDowell, but also the incredible charisma the character exudes whenever you see him onscreen. Even during moments of dread where Alex is entirely defenseless, Kubrick manages to use the narration to have him put us under his spell once more. Alex is a truly horrific person, yes, but the charm of his personality is undeniable. One does not aspire to become Alex in the sense that they become a serial murderer and rapist, but rather in the sense that they are entirely confident within themselves. For me, I do not feel a desire to embody Alex's personality. Instead, I feel more of a fascination toward such characters, which is likely how Stanley Kubrick felt about characters of a similar variety.

[@empiricallands]

I would argue Alex is the Greatest Villain in all film history , because you kinda do identify with him , everyone feels a little bad in the second half when his parents kick him out , and he gets beaten up by the old droogies etc. then you think he snuffs it but he wakes up and they imply the government would like to help him start raping again in some sort of weird arena? and then you are a little happy? and then you say to yourself " what the fuck just happened?!" this is my all time favorite movie because its so confounding and dark and pretty fucking hilarious .

[@PolishGod1234]

Imo the greatest villain in film history is Colonel Kurtz from Apocalypse Now, despite his limited screen-time.

[@scottpasta8595]

I never felt bad, it is deeply concerning to hear anyone felt bad for him.

[@davidweber5833]

For me-always-the genius of A Clockwork Orange, the book and the movie, is the language.

[@adamclark5956]

Kubrick studied the great western philosophers as well as the great psychologists and these themes are often a big part of his films. In A Clockwork Orange he delves into Hobbes Leviathan and the idea of the "State of Nature" and the "Social Contract". Alex represents the State of Nature. He has virtually unrestricted freedom. This is why his favorite music is the Ode to Joy. The Ode to Joy was about the concept of freedom that arose during the Enlightenment. Beethoven's piece is based on a poem that was originally titled "Ode to Freedom". Once you realize this the scenes in which it is played make much more sense.

[@zetetick395]

Time to kick back with a tall, cool glass of _Moloko Vellocet_ and viddy this horrorshow new look-see! :P A bit of that good old Ultra-Kubrick!

[@codeoptimizationware2803]

"Are we supposed to identify with Alex?" No.

[@paulhunter1525]

Do we identify with his violence, No. Do we identify with him as person with free will to choose, YES.

[@mjf8897]

no we don't identify with him - we acknowledge the certainty of his existence in every sort of society - and don't shy away

[@ZR38315]

If you identify with this dude then there’s something wrong with you hahah. Great movie tho

[@clydekelvinandthesinners.3977]

Yes, very much, It's called Existential Dadaism. the Ultra violent is just a flower to be appreciated for those with Eyes to hear and ears to see. It's the Ultra FREE Nature of Alex's way we love , he lives a Taoist way called Wu -Wie or Linear Flow. He's moralistic and effective. And very Likeable in spite of being a sociopath.

[@zetetick395]

He's an undiluted product of the culture he grew up within; he utterly lacks that decorous veneer of hypocrisy that is always required to be a functioning member of a 'Civilized' society.

[@jaymesguy239]

Alex was redeemed by his total self-awareness and honesty about himself.

[@mickyyoung8068]

he is not redeemed i liked the scene where he gets tortured

[@FLLMALL]

@@mickyyoung8068 well then you are quite sadistic

[@antepapic9107]

@Jaymes Guy i really dont understand how you can symphatize with a sociopathic teen who rapes people coz he feels like it

[@elonif4125]

Honesty and self awareness doesn’t make up for murder. I didn’t enjoy the torture scene but Alex kind of „deserved“ it, if you can say something like this.

[@bluelover929]

i love Malcolm McDowell, especially as Alex

[@TheBluBalls]

In my earlier years, I misunderstood the scene in the Korova, when Alex gives Dim a no-look nut shot before raising his milk-plus to the devochka's impromptu performance of his much loved 9th. I thought it strange Alex hit Dim for disrespecting the woman singing, when all along he hit Dim for disrespecting what she was singing, which in Alex's mind, any and all renditions of would be worthy of applause.

[@melissacooper4282]

I can relate. I would've whacked Dim too for being disrespectful to the woman's singing!

[@JamesLaserpimpWalsh]

My mum was a post war baby boomer and a Londoner (The time and place where the term " a clockwork orange" came from.) and I can with certainty say that the term describes a thing that is just not quite right in a fundamental way. It was more for describing things than people. Like the glut of modern and conceptual art that was coming out around then for example.

[@rmooreg]

I think the appeal of Alex lies in the duality that exists in all of us. We all house both good and evil within us, and there is a continuous struggle between the two to be the dominant force. While most of us live lives that are, at least outwardly, relatively virtuous, even the most virtuous among us have some degree of evil at our core. It is in our human nature, as is the guilt we develop when we allow our evil to come to the forefront. In fact we often feel guilty for merely thinking evil or malicious thoughts, without actually performing any evil action. This is where Alex becomes so fascinating and compelling a character. He has the same mix of good and evil, or at least the same potential for each, yet without the bothersome, embattled barrier between the two that burdens the rest of us. We are horrified at his actions but somehow intrigued and envious of his ability to take those actions without hindrance. There is a perverse admiration we feel at his bold and unflinching hedonism. In away we are all a little more like him than we should be comfortable. There is a scene where Alex visualizes himself as a Roman soldier, reveling in scourging Christ I think that at some level we all are akin to that part of Alex, except we envy Alex and his ability to do what we would like to, but dare not.

[@alexmckinley79]

I am so grateful that you do such great analyses of Kubrick's filmography. His work is still so relevant.

[@AtheistOrphan]

Viddy well brothers, viddy well.

[@BlackThoughtTheOverLord]

Absolutely Love these videos. Keep up the good work Tyler.

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks so much!

[@gmarikbraun6460]

No

[@fellowgoyimwhite7630]

@@gmarikbraun6460 What

[@mattmuffley9567]

Another great video analysis on "A Clockwork Orange" & you can never make too many videos about ACO. It's the greatest film of all-time so I'd be happy if you made more videos on it.

[@rdecredico]

The exact opposite is truer. This is lazy and lame.

[@mattmuffley9567]

@@rdecredico Just wondering about a couple of things: 1.) What is "lazy & lame"?? The actual movie 'A Clockwork Orange' ... the video analysis by @CinemaTyler of said movie ... or my response to Tyler's question at the end of his video about future ideas?? AND 2.) Movies and all works of art for that matter are subjective and everybody has opinions about them. But 'A Clockwork Orange' is an important film so at the end of the day how many FUCKS do you think I give about your opinion?

[@rdecredico]

@@mattmuffley9567 Well, since you asked, I will respond is absolute sincere fashion. This video analysis. It's pretty weak with nothing new about a film that has been beaten to death in worse fashion than the old man in the underpass got from the droogs. The entire idea of continuing to make money on this platform by going to the same well over and over again is lazy and lame. the OP had some really good work in the beginning of his channel but the latest efforts have not been so seminal, and certainly not worth gushing over ... ... Unless, of course, one is completely unfamilair with all the high level work out there that has already explored all of these themes, ad nauseum .... Obsession with Kubrick is not so healthy, nor is it entertaining or insightful at this point.

[@mattmuffley9567]

@@rdecredico That's cool than reply to Tyler on your own comment post next time and leave me out of it

[@JohnPKING-nj8nc]

rdecredico "The exact opposite is truer. This is lazy and lame." "Oh? And What's so stinking about it?

[@grahamnumber7123]

Lots of points the film shows Alex is playing along with the "treatment" to escape the alternative.

[@GrandFunker]

I love your use of the word "scumbag".

[@device]

I entered this subject, even as an admirer of your work, and this series, a bit reticently, thinking the answer obvious... Though in its way, it is, I was again impressed by the depth and insight you give these questions. A very nice job indeed.

[@CinemaTyler]

Much appreciated!

[@JasonVoorhees10100]

I see the parallel between the government and alex both choosing the wrong ways to avoid their due consequences

[@helenaconstantine]

In the book Alex and his druzhina wear masks based on Keats, Shelley, Coleridge, and Byron.

[@wolfcola6329]

Who are those guys ?

[@alexjwebabou]

@@wolfcola6329 seriously?

[@wolfcola6329]

@@alexjwebabou lol no I asked so an all knowing git like you can have a chance to gloat

[@johnharmon5905]

In particular, they're the great Romantic poets.

[@jayclark1551]

During the Summer before 3rd grade my Mom rented me this movie. She told me to watch it alone without my lil brother. She knew what a devil I was and I think she was trying to subliminally teach me about karma looking back on it. I don’t know many parents who would rent A Clockwork Orange for a 7 or 8 year old haha, but I was beyond my years.

[@ImSoooLevi]

Would you say it worked out in the way she intended? What did you take away from it at that age?

[@ZR38315]

That’s horrible parenting lmao

[@crispyred3978]

Zach Ruggiero is it though? A child can easily understand what Alex is doing is wrong and that he still gets comeuppance, the film teaches that it's all wrong so it won't influence a child in a bad way

[@schmittybacall1655]

Well thank you for the suggestion. If my kid ever becomes a little ass hole I know what to do now. I’ll even set up the room like the luduvico experiment to keep a theme

[@melissacooper4282]

I wouldn't let a young child under 12 years old watch this film!

[@MrHanderson91]

How do you deal with people like Alex? "Take all the rope in Texas, find a tall oak tree..."

[@clydekelvinandthesinners.3977]

That's Funny because my two favorite Texans Lived Just Like Alex. Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. You don't really understand Texas, do yo0u now?

[@CarelessPrincess]

@@clydekelvinandthesinners.3977 hahaha!

[@djjdnewyork1]

That observation by Malcolm McDowell, around the 16 min mark, was so on-point--one of the major reasons viewers like Alex is just the "joi de vivre" (i.e., exuberance for life). Even in the context of an cartoonishly over-the-top world, he's waaaaay out there....havin' fun!

[@bradenhogan2]

I think clearly you’re supposed to see Alex as a kid who has done many evil things in his life, but who is young and still has time to turn himself around. Freedom inherently comes with moral choice to do either good or bad things, and those choices reveal character and humanity. When Alex is conditioned to be physically incapable of making those decisions, he has been robbed of his individual character and humanity, as well as his chance to start making good decisions on his own. People who infringe on others’ rights should be punished and hopefully turn around, but they shouldn’t be conditioned to behaving exactly how the government wants them to either. The point is, it is better to allow some evil deeds to slip through the cracks than to rob people of their humanity and freedom in order to create some artificial utopia of clockwork oranges - things that appear to be organic, but inside are just machines

[@melissacooper4282]

I felt that the government in this movie was playing God. The prison Chaplin even pointed out that the experimental treatment would rob people of their free will to do right or wrong.

[@scottpasta8595]

You don't turn yourself around from being a rapist.

[@kino9356]

"You have to be prepared to be hated" Angry RD2 flashbacks of Micah kicks in. 😑💔

[@Mwothyman]

Fucking Micah

[@chriscameron9321]

Also, the violence Alex committed in prison was left out of the film.

[@melissacooper4282]

Not to mention that the girls in the record store were 10 years old in the book. In the movie they were aged to about the same age as Alex.

[@MaximusWolfe]

No one can ever play Alex other than McDowell. No one. Yet McDowell was never very interesting or particularly great in anything else. Strange.

[@melissacooper4282]

Sounds like he was typecast to me.

[@edgarbachman9037]

I love Clockwork Orange and Kubrick in general, and I really do think about the films and analyze the themes of what I watch. But I never saw or thought of a lot of the things you conveyed! Amazing video, Tyler. You really know your stuff! More Kubrick & Hitchcock!! :-)

[@georgelloydgonzalez]

This movie manipulates us into feeling sorry for wicked, evil, murderous psychopath. But I think I can pinpoint why. By being subjected to the Ludovico treatment, Alex had already been given the worst sentence a dangerous criminal could receive: constant pain and internal suffering that physically prevented him from harming people ever again. He's given this "burden", and then is released on quasi-parole. In a normal world, after a criminal has served their sentence, they should be allowed to reintegrate into society, should they choose to. The shocking and sad part is that, even though Alex is no longer a menace, he finds himself being humiliated by the people who "cured" him, kicked out of his parents' house by a stranger, beaten up by a mob of hobos, and the police, and then kidnapped by a man with a vendetta, to subject Alex to constant torture forevermore. Even though we know very well that all of his aggressors had reasons to hate him, and Alex had done terrible things to them in his past... We still feel bad, because either nobody seems to know Alex is now physically incapable of harming anymore, or they ignore it. Life post-prison will already be an oppressive hell for Alex, there's no need for people to rub salt on his wounds in addition to all.

[@domclegg1225]

the background music choices in this video are insane ngl

[@DerekPower]

Stanley Kubrick called A Clockwork Orange a "fable" (to counter Alexander Walker's claim it's a "forecast"). I think Stanley is absolutely right there as the situation is a recurring one, especially in these still modern times. What makes it a fable is the characters personify dynamics and desires, rather than actual people. While it is not out of the realm of possibility for someone like Alex to exist, Alex is not a realistic character. But the point is rather what he exhibits rather than who he is. In this case, Alex is the unbridled desire in an unstoppable body. His antagonist really is the unmovable object of a certain societal code, practised imperfectly*. Furthermore, I think he illustrates a contrast between violence committed by individuals and violence committed by the State. If you think that violence is wrong regardless of who is the agent, then State violence should be just as thoroughly condemned as violence practised by an individual. However, if you think the State is a justified exception, then what end goal justifies that action and why should the State be allowed, even permitted, to exercise such actions that would be found abhorrent if done by an individual. *I say imperfectly because while transgressive sex and violence is condemned in the society of AOC, there are other sexual transgressions - and even violence - that is justified. We may dislike or take issue with the phallic graffiti defacing a lobby mural; but the "Cat Lady" has various suggestive paintings and sculptures (and even that is revealed when she calls it a "priceless work of art" whilst Alex mocks it and her for having it ... cigar is not always a cigar ;) ). We may strongly condemn what Alex does, but Alex has had violence put on him, even if it could be justified (righting a wrong).

[@mjaada]

Maybe video on casting of Clockwork? Other than McDowell there is only little information

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

Kubrick's casting is impeccable.

[@rmarkread3750]

"A clockwork Orange" is far and away my favorite Kubrick film, and I think because of the way I was introduced to it. Having been out of the country at the time of its release, I knew of "Clockwork Orange" but hadn't seen it. My first shift as projectionist as a local "art house," the very first reel of film I ran was the second half of "Clockwork Orange." From my window in the booth, I WATCHED this attractive innocuous-looking young man being booked into a particularly harsh prison, then as he experienced a series of grotesque, genuinely surreal abuses and assaults. I stress WATCHING because projection booths are rather noisy places and the audio monitor is not designed to render the full range of the soundtrack. Because I had to get the other projector ready for the next showing I missed the very end, but I was angrily curious as to what sort of film could show such insane cruelty practiced upon a sympathetic-looking young man. Then the next showing began and I WATCHED all young man's the absurdly surreal (that word again) violence. I was genuinely repulsed by the character of the young man, and as the second half ran, I was amazed at how effectively my sympathies had been manipulated. I sure had to hand it to Stanley Kubrick--a job well done. But at the moment when, with only one projector running, I saw the last scene and HEARD that very-familiar harp glissando and placed it just as Gene Kelly's voice began "Singin' in the Rain," That juxtaposition of cumulative, repulsive images and lighthearted song from a cherished other film had me screaming with rage. The film is a masterpiece and it gets me every time!

[@marcsteven6170]

I have seen a Clockwork Orange many times and it is a true classic and Kubrick is a brilliant director

[@WhiteBloggerBlackSpecs]

A great yarblocko to you!

[@hyacinthlynch843]

"Great BOUNCY yarblockos to you!!!" If your going to quote a droog, get it right.

[@WhiteBloggerBlackSpecs]

@@hyacinthlynch843 Alex says it at one point

[@hyacinthlynch843]

@@WhiteBloggerBlackSpecs I thought you were referring to Dim's line in the Kerova milk bar, after Alex hits him in the groin with his cane.

[@finnanderson9941]

This Chanel is so incredibly underrated. The effort and quality of your videos is insane and I applaud you my friend.

[@duartevader2101]

*_A Clockwork Orange is my favourite movie._*

[@christopher0261]

It’s an amazing film my person fav is taxi driver

[@fellowgoyimwhite7630]

@@christopher0261 Fight Club

[@christopher0261]

@@fellowgoyimwhite7630 rlly good one

[@wojtekwieczorek6397]

Kubrick directed so many great movies, but A Clockwork Orange is probably my favorite. It has so many themes and layers of meaning that even if you choose only one to analyse, you'll find a ton interesting stuff. And it's also probably my favorite usages of classical music by Kubrick - not only it works great in every scene, but when you know the story behind each piece, it's role in the Western Culture, and combine that with the often usage of synthesizers, it adds another two or three layers of meaning to each scene. And even if you know nothing about all that stuff and don't care about political, philosophical and psychological undertones, it's still a great and entertaining movie, due to great editing, photography, music, atmosphere and Malcolm McDowell's performance, which elevates the character of Alex to another level. Also, I recently discovered your channel and I've been bingewatching all your Kubrick videos ever since. I have no idea how many hours of research must have been put into that Space Odyssey breakdown, but your work it's just mind-blowing. Definitely one of the best cinema channels on youtube. Great content as always!

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks so much! I totally agree about the layers of meaning. I really feel that Kubrick's success is directly related to him figuring out how to use simple and engaging stories to discuss very complex topics. His movies are enjoyable to a wide variety of intellects and you only appreciate them more as you get older.

[@schizoidboy]

I think it is more the individual's perceptions of the world around them rather than an attraction to a fictional character that causes them to be violent. Case in point with Alex, Kubrick doesn't bother to tell us why Alex is the way he is other than by showing his home life, which is more of an enabling factor than cause.

[@melissacooper4282]

And the thing is Alex did not come from a broken home. His parents never hit him or was verbally abusive to him. They seemed to be hardworking people who didn't have a clue what Alex was doing outside of the house. However they did replace him as their son when they took in a border named Joe while Alex was in prison.

[@forestwiids9710]

Your videos essays are great, I often go back and rewatch a film through the lense that you’ve provided. Would you be able to do more essays on Lars Von Trier and Yargos Lanthimos? Love that work man keep it up.

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks! I'd love to do something on either of them. Although, The Killing of a Sacred Deer really got to me. It's not just that the situation is messed up, but the way the characters deal with it is also messed up. I still need to see The Favourite. I paid $25 to see it at the New York Film Festival before it came out and I got the dates mixed up and missed it!

[@forestwiids9710]

Melancholia has to be my favourite film of those two directors, the depth of symbolism leaves for nothing to be desired. The favourite is class, Lanthimos moving into a sphere of more easily digestible film. He has a few shots where he uses a fish eye lense, I couldn’t tell if he wanted us to feel engaged or disengaged with the characters... Apart from that it’s a great display of Machiavellism. Would you be able to suggest a few books that would a afford me a greater insight into film analysis, I’m a film buff and a philosophy buff so imagine film analysis would bridge the two. Cheers

[@AtheistOrphan]

Archetype Bias - Lens, not ‘Lense’.

[@indicasun]

@@CinemaTyler clockwork is literally my favorite movie lol thank you for doing this video!

[@ashb1212]

This film is a masterpiece honestly and I think we identify with Alex or see him as a somewhat anti hero because he’s honest with the viewer he’s not trying to make excuses for his actions and when we see him act intelligent and dignified we are (like Malcolm said) we are in on his manipulative ways.

[@raremevprod]

This is the best content on KZbin.

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks!

[@Mo_Ketchups]

Tyler, since you don’t do (or change) voices when reading quoted material, no one can tell when the source quote ends and YOU resume. Very disorienting. May I kindly suggest you say “close/end quote” before your narration resumes. ✌️ I love your work, buddy. 👍👍

[@mikeymorrison272]

🖕

[@devonvictoria8227]

strong agree!

[@blipblip88]

I used to be quite obsessed with this movie, but now find Barry Lyndon more captivating...though I love them both. Thanks!

[@togashi8287]

One of my favorite books and a fantastic movie. If asked which I liked more, I’d honestly be hard-pressed for an answer; I think in their respective mediums, they’re both brilliant for what they are trying to accomplish. I read the book first, and then watched the film, and honestly the lack of the proper ending for the film irked me a little after hearing about it. However, I think it works better than I anticipated. Horrorshow video.

[@philippelachevre4795]

"Identify to a character" is a confusion and a bad choice of words , we are supposed to empathize with him. That's why we see him with his family and love music and suffer, but that's why we empathize because we understand what he feels but that's all. We can empathize with an immoral character.

[@criminallyretarded6312]

"A VICTIM OF THE MODERN AGE! YOU POOR, POOR BOY!"

[@AmyBlackRoseCena]

Alex was despicable and disgusting, but at the same time when his favorite music started making him sick, I felt bad for him. If it had just been the violence that made him sick, I'd of been glad, but to have something you once loved essentially be taken away from you is hard to watch. I wouldn't be surprised if his failed suicide attempt is what "snapped him out of it" and that's why he seemed back to the way he was before the treatment.

[@brandon_crow1291]

I think the other thing it was saying is kinda pointing out the people punishing him weren't really all that different to him. They were all evil or at least capable of evil; just different ways.

[@iconoclast137]

this is a channel worth subscribing to. consistently great and engaging content, it's not dumbed down, it's made for nerds by a nerd. I cannot recommend it enough.

[@LadyMontane]

What bothers me a lot is that every damn time they talk about Alex's reformation, they call it "the removal of free will" while in fact it is merely the creation of a pavlovian response to violent and sexual urges (and I guess to Beethoven's №9, too). Alex still could go wherever he felt like going, do whatever he felt like doing, eat whatever he felt like eating etc. as long as no violent actions on his side were to be done, or as long as Beethoven did not play. He was not zombie-like, he was merely conditioned to have a certain response to certain urges.

[@Wadmort]

Thank you. "Making him a vegetable" is absolutely not what happens in the movie which makes the treatment a lot less big of a deal to me.

[@somethingsomething9006]

I think it's less about "identifying" and more about sympathizing with him. Though there is some merit to identifying with his position, in some instances. Alex is, very clearly, a product of his environment. His parents do not challenge or care about his actions, his peers are all also violent and monstrous, the government and police force are corrupt and sadistic, a world like this will necessarily breed Alex's into it. That's not to say he's absolved of his actions because of social pressures or whatnot, but it really gives Alex's character more flavor, he's not some demon who made a pact to do evil, he's a human who was raised in a society that, at least in part, _made_ him this way. Though clearly he's a dyed in the wool sociopath, who sees his actions as a means to have fun and enjoy life, there's no moral compass guiding it, nothing more than selfish gain. However, I absolutely sympathize with him post Ludovico, I'm of the opinion that it's worth preserving the ability to be evil over the inability to choose to be evil. It's almost like cheating, we don't get to see the Alex who committed the crime face consequences, we instead see a warped and altered Alex receive the punishment, and it almost feels wrong, like it's a different person now. Obviously by the end, as he says, he was "cured alright", but now he's just part of the corrupt establishment that created the society that helped make him this way. In the book, the final chapter shows Alex slightly older and considering a more steady life, having a wife and settling down from his 'childish antics', but to me it was less a weird change for Alex and more on brand with his lack of a moral compass. It shows that his monstrous activities were not out of some underlying philosophy or principle, or even any explicit reason for those actions, but simply a hobby. Him changing to a normal and productive life wasn't one of moral praxis, but instead a new hobby, which is all the more sinister to me.

[@brendanmccabe8373]

The book also says that Alex’s punishment is unjust

[@melissacooper4282]

I disagree with the book. I felt that what those people who beat up Alex was justified.

[@pats3714]

We've all got a little bit of Alex in us, at least as young men. It's what gives the novel it's power. If I had to criticise it would be its lack of depth into the female experience.

[@brucetucker4847]

The movie is very much centered on Alex' internal state, and female experience is utterly alien to Alex, so going into it would only weaken the drama. This isn't an easy movie; it requires much of its audience, and one of the things it requires is that the viewer already have full empathy and understanding of the ways Alex' behavior impacts his victims.

[@CanCan-op3bu]

We are, and we do. That's an effect kubrick was aiming for, and he achieved it perfectly. The greatest realization of how horrible violence is occurs when we see how much it thrills us.

[@CanCan-op3bu]

This twists the message of the book of course, and i think that's part of the reason why the author was not impressed with the movie.

[@romanclay1913]

If you can mind control someone to do good, you can mind control someone to do evil.

[@romanclay1913]

JFK, MLK, RFK.

[@213amp]

If you need a motorcar, YOU PLUCK IT FROM THE TREES

[@mikecimerian6913]

The first Death Wish movie carried the same ambiguity and did create a ruckus of its own for this reason.

[@mememaster1268]

0:08 literally thought there was something on my phone screen and kept wiping it 💀 thanks for that

[@mantlemoky5744]

I view Alex as more of an animal than a person. It allows a level of disconnect while still understanding him on a psychological level. When you watch a lion kill a gazelle, you don’t sympathize with the primal urge to kill and you hate watching it happen, but you understand on an intellectual level what biological urges make the lion do it. I like this very specific level of disconnect because I can’t see someone going “wow I wanna be like Alex” but I also don’t believe people would go “this is just a movie monster that has no connection to anything in the real world”

[@alomaalber6514]

I have not read the books! Also it is said in LA that Stanley helped as a favor in Being There, see that film too!

[@bimmovieproductions6352]

This channel is my favourite of all of youtube, no kiddin'. You deliver your info so neat and nicely and always have evidence and or calims to back up what you are saying, amazing.

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks so much!

[@therealruckus5263]

I do believe there is subconscious guilt from Alex subtly manifested in the scenes between his release and attempt at suicide. The whole chain of events feel like Alex is making him self available to the punishment handed out to him, almost as if he is embracing society’s retribution against him. Most noticeably, when he’s reciting singing in the rain in the bath. On the face of it he’s happily re visiting the assault, but he must be aware that this could trigger the writer to realise who Alex actually is. And therefor sign his own death warren. It might appear accidental, but I think deep down Alex at least believed in an eye for eye, even if that meant at his own expense.

[@heftyalan1152]

I did as a teen as I roamed the streets with my friends and got into fights. Malcolm McDowell was a great actor Alex, Mick in, If, Flashman etc but watching Clockwork Orange now and you see where Tarantino comes from. Right off for some moloko :)

[@_Ramen-Vac_]

Alex was a "youthful offender" and a very very special one at that. One must not "identify" with the character, but read all allegory from the novel. It's a full and bulgy political statement if you truly peruse its precision in word and event. . . not merely a direct narrative.

[@jackcooper3307]

Love the Paradise Lost reference

[@lauraspangler5179]

Omg those eye clamp things freak me out

[@mr.pavone9719]

So basically fixing bad people with bad treatment is bad.

[@roberto5247]

Great video, Tyler. I probably have most of the source material you derived your video from, but it is refreshing to hear it in a different context, plus the clips you selected, which were all great. If you recall in the scene where Alex is in Mr. Alexander's house, eating spaghetti and talking to the other conspirators, he mentions "seeing a rather bad film of some concentration camps." Of course, we didn't see them during the Ludovico scenes, and it makes one wonder why that is the case. What I think happened is that Kubrick did put footage from concentration camps into the segment. But when edited together it probably was so emotional overwhelming that it risked pulling the audience out of the movie altogether, making it difficult to bring them back after the sequence was over. Kubrick could have shown the sequence in his screening room to his crew and saw the effect it had on them. This is just theory, of course, but it does tie in with the quote you provided where Kubrick explained to Malcolm that one can only show so much nastiness without losing the audience. Even showing the familiar images of skeletal bodies being bulldozed into a mass grave, or charred skeletons inside ovens, or hangings, or firing squads, all set to the jaunty, synthesized rendition of "Ode to Joy," would have been crossing the line, being way too much for audiences to stomach. It's even possible that a lot of walkouts would have occurred at that point. Kubrick made the wise choice in "stylizing" the violence to suggest Alex's point of view, otherwise the end result would have been a grisly exploitation film filled with documentary-like realism in depicting the violence. The fact that it was made by a celebrated filmmaker would have been irrelevant. As to why Kubrick left that line in the scene, it was probably because the decision to not use such footage occurred in post, way too long after principal photography had wrapped, with no chance of reshooting it. I suppose Kubrick left it to the audience in assuming there were film clips Alex saw that we ended up not seeing but were part of the treatment and not necessary in pushing the story along. Just my theory, mind you. And keep up the great work, Tyler.

[@CamelxRavenNova2]

While watching the movie. The beginning fight scene of the guy flying out the window had me laughing

[@Delta_Aves]

There’s another important question to consider: Why is Alex the way he is? Obviously, there’s no one simple answer, like having abusive parents or a traumatic childhood, but there are things that could factor in to Alex’s personality and actions. Even the aforementioned abuse and trauma are basically factors in one’s personal development. To me, a lot of Alex’s development stems from his environment, which is littered with sexually graphic art, vandalism, and a very corrupt government system. Alex could’ve learned morals that are fundamentally sound, but come from a very broken place, and developed them in a way that reflects this kind of art style; shining a spotlight on the taboo. While it’s one thing for life to imitate art, there’s also a major class divide that perpetuates this kind of dissonance, with those in power abusing the ones beneath them, and it’s so normalized that it’s practically a way of life for people. The world of A Clockwork Orange isn’t just unfriendly, but is, to a degree, very dangerous where evil could be seen as a necessity, especially when Alex, and the viewer, see how the world reacts to a meek, humble person.

[@clydekelvinandthesinners.3977]

Yes there is, It's simple...Because He's FREE!

[@PolishGod1234]

Some people are just evil for the sake of It, without any traumatic life events, just being evil because they enjoy It -I think that might be the case for Alex. Some people just want to watch the world burn

[@user-gy8co5qy2z]

I love the sound of Malcolm McDowell's voice.

[@MarioAguilera1957]

Great analysis. I saw it the other day, but I’m still trying to figure out how Alex recovered from the psychological operation? The author described the film’s ending as a “happy one.” I know his sex mentalities came back as he imagined it at the final seconds. However, was his fall from the balcony the solution to get rid of his artificial mentality? Someone make it clear please.

[@NothingHumanisAlientoMe]

1:28 Uses Easy listening Dave Brubeck style jazz to calmly sink us down into the abyss. Edward Bernays would be impressed.

[@EnglishInfidel]

Food...alright? Poor, poor boy.

[@afunnyusername5599]

with films like clockwork the idea of identifying or sympathising with characters seems strange to me. not because of the violence, the entire film is just in its own bizarre little universe and to me that meant none of the characters were believable enough to empathise with. less of a criticism than it sounds, interesting film, and the unique feeling the movie has is obviously intentional, but for everything its weirdness offers, it closes off emotional connections to characters - for me at least.

[@paulhunter1525]

Look at Crips/Bloods or KKK or any group that thinks it can use hate and violence to control rest of society.

[@hyacinthlynch843]

@@paulhunter1525 Cancel culture and the Wokes are doing pretty good job without using violence.

[@borax3030]

"No work of art has ever done social harm". Guess he never saw Birth of a Nation.

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

Did Birth of a Nation 'do social harm', or was it highlighting the harm that was already there? The Klan wasn't invented by the film. I realise it was celebrating racism, and the Klan etc, but did it really do social harm, did it harm society, if so, how?

[@brucetucker4847]

@@AnthonyMonaghan I don't know about Birth of a nation, but Triumph of the Will was extremely effective propaganda and there's no doubt in my mind that it helped Hitler cement his position as absolute dictator.

[@eerievon2946]

Really enjoying your take on these Films. Thanks for making these.

[@Val-gv3vu]

I love these Kubrick videos. Make more of them please. ;(

[@Rish7777]

Can anyone please explain what Alex meant when he said "it's funny how the colours of real world seem really real when you see them on screen".

[@dolf370]

I would think what is being conveyed is essentially that Alex is not really connected to the real world but living in some kind of imaginary world. It kind of explains his violence and lack of empathy. Or it's just plain and simple a (side) effect of the drug he's given.

[@dalegreer3095]

Lol that photobomb at 5:32

[@marshallzane7735]

Could you elaborate on the statement, “No work of art has ever cause social harm.” How do you explain Birth of a Nation? Is it that art itself can do no harm but reactions to it can be harmful?

[@DoctorBlankenstein]

Alex is... and will always be, my spirit animal.

[@DungeonStudio]

I think Clockwork Orange really tackles 'rebellion' that's inherent in all of us. Young or old, we all want to test life, to get the most out of it, to understand what is acceptable and not acceptable. Be it stealing a cookie and little white lies, to outright disdain for authority and selfish greed. We identify and sympathize with Alex because he's 'young'. He's able to use his boyish wit and charm to full advantage. And he's lucky to get away with what he does - as mischievous and/or horrendous as it maybe. But is it 'curable'? And I think what many miss with the book and movie is when 'rebellion transitions to cruelty'. We all push the limits along our lives. We learn from our mistakes, and/or we get away with murder (literally and non). And with age - we realize our limits. Respect those who we wish to respect us. And most of us mellow and become docile in the community. But what if someone disrupts that community then? That's when our 'cruelty' begins to show. We fear for our safety, we want swift justice, protection and security. The law can only do so much, and we must hope and plan for true vindication. Lock them up for a long time! Ruin their lives! Let them wallow in their own filth! KILL THEM! That's some cold 'cruelty' right there many of us fail to see. We should know 'right from wrong' by this point. We should be more lenient and forgiving. And some of us are. But I think deep down inside still - we like that anger we feel. Those thoughts of castration and beating to death with a club come into our heads. If only we could 'rebel' and serve up some real justice to these hooligans, we'd all be better off! So then how does one 'reform' without being 'cruel'? Does time cure all wounds? Should we always keep looking at our scars...? That to me is the beauty of A Clockwork Orange in both print and film.

[@MrVrob8]

Keep the Clockwork videos coming!!