MovieChat Forums > A Clockwork Orange (1972) Discussion > Real reason this was banned

Real reason this was banned


I've often wondered if the reason they including Kubrick gave of spikes in teen gang violence linked to this film was just a cover because the real reason was that it's just far to eye opening no pun intended

It exposes the state and also the worst of both the Left and the right and i l bet it made them very uncomfortable

If kids were copying then that's because there is something in Alex that people identify with and the harsh reality is there is a case for justifiable anti social behaviour, Kubrick never over explains anything but you feel it and the points he was highlighting in this film were savagely made

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It was Kubrick himself who asked for the film to be withdrawn in the UK due to death threats made to his family.

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I know that i already noted that but that's the reason i said 'cover' because they needed to justify pulling it

Maybe it was making people think to much and giving the public a peak of something they weren't ready for

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"If kids were copying then that's because there is something in Alex that people identify with and the harsh reality is there is a case for justifiable anti social behaviour"


Very well put! I've always thought of ACO as a unique sort of "feel-good" movie: One of those films (not unlike GoodFellas) that make you feel good about violence...

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It's definitely similar to Goodfellas in that no matter what Joe Pesci or Alex Do, i mean he raped someone FFS, you forgive them because they are so funny and charismatic and you downplay their actions to them just being little rascals, that definitely says something about us viewers maybe not positive but interesting.

What i meant by justifying the violence was i am not saying you should glamourize or enjoy it but in the context of the film which in turn is a brutal portrayal of real society, you can understand how in this sterile world with seemingly no way out besides either being a spineless wimp like his father or join the enemy as an enforcer that these lads act out in the way they did

The Evil in this film came from the Top down not the Bottom up

They create a system where you are taught to behave and obey from early School and by the time you reach adulthood you are ready for whatever soul destroying button pushing shit they offer you and you have to take it and be on your way never saying a word

And if you step out of line then there is a whole industry designed to watch over you and slap you back in order from Teachers, Social Workers, Police, Doctors, Judges they are all different arms of the State and the film points out they are all just blindly following orders and just as corrupt as the people they reprimand nobody really has much Humanity its just about playing your part and going by what the book say's, and it's all to protect the order keep things from ever changing.

Alex is a hero because he is a true free spirit, Albeit a psychopathic one.

That is a Dangerous message for people because it could either make them hopeless and less productive or Aggressively proactive towards the state

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An excellent analysis! It's been way too long, I might have to go throw it in the DVD player tonight...

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Definitely one of my favourite films, and with this one i haven't watched it to death like a Goodfellas so its still relatively fresh every time i visit it

Currently binging on Analisis video's on youtube i want to pick the bones out of this one it's definitely the right kind of controversial could maybe be a top 3 most important film of all time in terms of the subjects it touches on. Way better than Fight Club which everyone sucks off more than it deserves

Everytime i hear that final line with that music i clap lol i literally never do that with any other film, Alex has his soul back

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You may be on to something. There always seems to be more going on with Kubrick's more controversial movies. Who knows if we'll ever see the cut of Eyes Wide Shut he intended audiences to see.

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It's a prevailing theme in almost every one of his films, it shows the power structures, and the protagonist is usually someone trying to get into the inner circle and mostly failing.

But they ultimately show how and why they can never be penetrated and they are set up to keep there foot on the throat of the common man and we are nothing but pawns and their servants, that is a powerful and chilling message and i can see most definitely why the Elites would consider this a dangerous film, this is IMO why Kubrick stands apart from the rest because his films are the right kind of Dangerous

It's one thing having some youtuber make a video about how they are all out to get us but having the most Prestigeous filmmaker on the planet shine a light is something for them to worry about

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I’ve heard there was no official report of any gangs committing ACO-related crimes but rather, it was the media trying to get people to believe entertainment/art causes violence (something that has yet to fully go away).

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