A Clockwork Orange Arrives on 4K UHD

Malcolm McDowell in A Clockwork Orange. Courtesy of Warner Bros.

A Clockwork Orange makes its arrival on 4K Ultra HD ahead of December’s 50th anniversary of the film’s 1971 theatrical release.

Warner Bros.’ Motion Picture Imaging (MPI) conducted the 4K restoration Leon Vitali, Kubrick’s right-hand man, and the Kubrick Estate also worked with the studio during the remastering process.

Because of the graphic violence, the film had been released to polarizing reviews. Kubrick even had the film removed from theaters in British Cinemas at the time. Ultimately, it would earn four Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Film Editing.

The American Film Institute has honored the film on the following lists:

  • 100 Years…100 Movies – 46
  • 100 Years…100 Movies (2007) – 70
  • 100 Years…100 Heroes and Villains – Alex DeLarge – 12
  • 10 Top 10 – Sci-fi – 4
  • 100 Years…100 Thrills – 21

Let it be a warning that this film is not for everyone. It’s not a horror film as the film falls under the dystopian crime genre. Nevertheless, it can be a very brutal watch at times.

Synopsis

In an England of the future, Alex (Malcolm McDowell) and his “Droogs” spend their nights getting high at the Korova Milkbar before embarking on “a little of the old ultraviolence,” while jauntily warbling “Singin’ in the Rain.” After he’s jailed for bludgeoning the Cat Lady to death, Alex submits to a behavior modification technique to earn his freedom; he’s conditioned to abhor violence. Returned to the world defenseless, Alex becomes the victim of his prior victims.

Bonus Features

  • Commentary by Malcolm McDowell and Nick Redman
  • Still Tickin’: The Return of Clockwork Orange [2000 Channel 4 Documentary]
  • Great Bolshy Yarblockos! Making A Clockwork Orange
  • Turning Like Clockwork
  • Malcolm McDowell Looks Back
  • O Lucky Malcolm!

DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: Stanley Kubrick
CAST: Malcolm McDowell, Warren Clarke, Patrick Magee, Adrienne Corri, Miriam Karlin

Warner Bros. released A Clockwork Orange in theaters on December 19, 1971.

Danielle Solzman

Danielle Solzman is native of Louisville, KY, and holds a BA in Public Relations from Northern Kentucky University and a MA in Media Communications from Webster University. She roots for her beloved Kentucky Wildcats, St. Louis Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, and Boston Celtics. Living less than a mile away from Wrigley Field in Chicago, she is an active reader (sports/entertainment/history/biographies/select fiction) and involved with the Chicago improv scene. She also sees many movies and reviews them. She has previously written for Redbird Rants, Wildcat Blue Nation, and Hidden Remote/Flicksided. From April 2016 through May 2017, her film reviews can be found on Creators.