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Scum: 2-disc Collectors Edition (Limited Edition Steelbook Packaging) [1977]


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A great package for a great film, or rather two
Review date: 2008-04-12 Rating: 10 out of 10

As most know, Scum was made twice. After the initial BBC version was declared unfit for broadcast, the film was remade for cinematic release. While the first was the one that was banned, the second is by far a tougher watch. Both films are presented here, alongside a host of extras, at long last.

Scum is one of Alan Clarke's many films which deal with violence as a way of life with little reason given for why it is. For Ray Winstone's Carlin, staying on top is simply a way of staying alive, and vice versa, in the tough realm of British Borstal, more or less a prison for young offenders. The inmates in this prison are left to their own devices, which of course culminates in tragedy (twice even, depending on which version you watch). There is no catharsis in Scum; no resolution and no character development. If anything, all we see is character disintegration, both guard- and self-inflicted. That said, there are touches of humanity in the film, often overlooked. Some of the boys keep their heads out of trouble, and some even help others, although in Carlin's case, only when it benefits himself.

The cast is great, with Ray Winstone all swagger (allegedly he was hired because of his walk) and talk, hiding well Carlin's myriad insecurities. David Threlfall and Mick Ford both give entertaining takes on Archer, the institute's resident free-thinker and cheeky bother-maker. The supporting cast of villains all play their parts well, most convinced that they're much more important than they really are. Egos run rampant, and you can really see the actors having fun with it. Clarke's recognizeable style is clearly emerging in this picture. Many have said that the BBC version feels too much like a documentary, which holds up even today. Roy Minton's script is flawless and doesn't feature a single line that feels out of place, due in large part no doubt to his extensive research for the film.

The extras in this set are short but informative. Both discs feature retrospective interviews about their respective production, and serve to tell why the film was made, and the impact it had. Although I have yet to listen to the BBC commentary, I did give the Ray Winstone film version a spin, and despite the poor audio quality it keeps your interest throughout, and he clearly has plenty to say. It is worth noting that his homosexual subplot is only in the version of the film he does not comment on, and he has been vocal about his dislike for this element in the past. It is also interesting to hear how Minton and Clarke fell out over some of plot threads eschewed in the film version, only to reunite as Clarke was dying. A couple of trailers round out the package.

Overall, Scum is not an easy watch. Its hard to emphasize with characters who want to beat each other up with pipes, encourage racial violence and commit rape unpunished. But for the message it carries and its sheer, unpolished presentation of what are basically true events, its a must see.

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Reviews


2 different productions - a revelation!!
Review date: 2007-08-30 Rating: 10 out of 10

Scum is a gritty, violent portrayal of the operation and shortcomings of the British borstal system in the 1970s. It covers a number of unsavoury issues: violence, brutality, corruption, bullying(by inmates and warders) and male rape. This pack contains 2 different productions, not simply edits but different productions with different actors although the key actors, Ray Winstone, Phil Daniels, 2 of the "daddies" and a number of others appear in both. The first version is the 1977 version which was produced for the BBC but was deemed too controversial to screen on terrestrial TV. This prompted a second production to be made which is about 15 mins longer for cinema release in 1979. Both versions are excellent and sufficiently different to warrant inclusion of both. We're not simply talking about pointless bonus DVD extras here. There is a major scene in one production but not the other and vice-versa. It is also fascinating noting other differences. There are also interviews with people involved with both productions that give you an insight into the background behind the productions and why for example the BBC refused to show the original version.

A most engrosing epistle!
Review date: 2007-08-20 Rating: 8 out of 10

Scum is an excellent portrayal of the brutalization of young offenders in a borstal. There is way more to this film than violence though with some very entertaining and even funny scenes. Watch out for Archer taking the mick out of the ultra religious governer by converting to Islam. Look out for the "most 70's punch" depicted in any film, delivered by the warden with sideburns on Carlin right at the start. And also ponder on the effectiveness of snooker balls as an offensive weapon. A out and out classic!


'There is NO violence in this institution'...
Review date: 2007-07-09 Rating: 10 out of 10

The original 1977 version of Roy Minton's SCUM remains one of the most notorious TV productions ever made. It's brutal depiction of life in a boy's borstal was deemed so uncompromising and contraversial that it remained unscreened in the UK for 14 years.
Now this TV landmark gets its fully deserved release on DVD in this twin-pack which also features the equally hard-hitting 1979 cinema version. Both productions share the same director (the brilliantly innovative Alan Clarke) and several cast members, including Ray Winstone as tough-boy Carlin and Phil Daniels as Richards, but nothing quite matches the power and notoriety of the original.

The DVD Itself...

2 Disc Limited Collectors Edition.
Disc 1: BBC Unseen Version (1977)
English SDH Subtitles
Audio Commentary - David Threlfall, Margaret Matheson & Phil Daniels
Interviews: Derek Malcolm & Margaret Matheson

Disc 2: Theatrical Version (1979)
English SDH Subtitles
2 Trailers (U rated & X rated)
Audio Commentary- Ray Winstone.
Interviews: Davina Belling & Clive Parsons, Roy Minton, Don Boyd, Roy Minton & Clive Parsons.
Cast Memories (A particulaly Exceptional feature!)

The DVD comes in a aluminium tin case which holds both DVDs and an 8 page booklet with more info on the production of the film.

This is an Exceptional package for this movie and a great buy. The Play and the movie as seperate entitys are virtually identical in format but it is the performances from Winstone and Mick Ford in the theatrical version that give this film new depth. Ford plays the role of 'Archer' with greater ability, cheekyness and confidence than David Threlfall does in the original and 'Raymond Winstone' as he is credited in the BBC version displays a grittier, harder Carlin.

Borstal Institutions were phased out in the UK in 1982 and it was considered by many that this film should be shown to schoolchildren of the time as a way of 'educating' them from choosing crime as a vocation. (very 'Clockwork Orange'). I was at school at this time and I can see it would have had a very traumatic effect on me.

Funny in places. (Mecca, Archer!)
Brutal in others. (This is'nt Kew Gardens! On Your Feet Lad!)

In Borstal......Survival Rules.





Brutal...
Review date: 2005-09-25 Rating: 10 out of 10

Scum is one of those movies that you know will be hyper-violent from the start, just from the strong language and setting. It was nearly banned and eventually severly cut to shredds on it's release, leaving a messy movie with plot holes. This however is the uncut version, meaning it's all here and nothing is censored.

Ray Winstone plays Carlin, a thug transferred from his previous prison for assaulting a prison guard. On his arrival, he is tormented, beaten and intimidated by fellow inmates and sidekicks of the 'daddy.' He sits through the punches and kicks for a while until he cracks, and takes control of the convicts with bloody consiquences....

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Phil Daniels
Ray Winstone
Mick Ford

Creators:
Ray Winstone (Primary Contributor)
Mick Ford (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Prism
Manufacturer: Prism
EAN: 5018011203728
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: Box set, PAL,
Release date: 2005-06-13
Audience rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 167 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1977
Language: English (Original Language)

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