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If.... [1968]
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And make no mistake about it, it’s the superb movie that’s the star here. If... is, for those new to it, set in a British public school, and from this setting it has plenty then to say on authority and society. Directed by the late, great Lindsay Anderson, the film centres on Mick Travis, magnetically portrayed by Malcolm McDowell. Superbly marrying fantasy and more realistic elements, If... is packed with iconic, and often quite surreal moments, leading right up the to the famed and indelible ending that sticks long in your mind once the credits have rolled. A strong, powerful influence for many who followed it, If... is powered by Malcolm McDowell’s astounding performance (which would earn him the part in Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange). It’s arguable that he’s never been better than he is here, and he’s in good company, thanks to a top-quality supporting cast too. Perhaps the greatest complement to If... though is that, decades after is initial release, it’s not only recognised as one of the finest British films ever made, but it’s regarded in many quarters as a classic of cinema full stop. And if you’ve not yet had the pleasure, this DVD release finally, belatedly, can open the film up to a whole new audience. Let’s hope it does. --Jon Foster
RRP: £15.99
Our Price: £4.97 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
The Palme D’Or-winning British classic, If...’s long wait for a DVD release is finally over, and the end result does it proud. Boasting commentaries, interviews and a quality documentary too, it’s a true collectors’ piece for fans of the film.
U must c this
Review date: 2008-09-28 Rating: 10 out of 10
If you are British you must see this film. If you are young you must see this film. If you once were young you must see this film again. Unlike the rest of us Travis never got old, never lost his certainty, never compromised. Lyndsay Anderson, thank you for this film. I saw it first when I was 17. I can find no flaw at the age of 50. It is deeply observant, fiercely subversive and as relevant now in 2008 as it was in 68. Look at it and see 2 decades of movie moments that this film inspired. Seminal is the critical description and it is true. See with Kes and it's like an ultrasound photo of modern Britain. An important film from when they made important films.
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Reviews
BRILLIANT
Review date: 2008-07-12 Rating: 10 out of 10
Imagine if you will, Dvid Lynch's Mullholand Drive or Blue Velvet meeting St Trinians or Clockwork Orange or American History X. THIS FILM IS EXCELLENT. AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN THE TOP 50 FILMS OF ALL TIMES. BY THE WAY, SP SHOULD THE HILL, DEVILS REJECTS, JACKIE BROWN, MONSTER, THE 400 BLOWS, LA HAINE, CITY OF GOD AND SEVERAL OTHERS. PLEASE WATCH THESE FILMS (BUT DONT START WITH DEVILS REJECTS COZ SOME PEOPLE WONT LIKE IT)!!!!
If.... you were there...
Review date: 2008-06-04 Rating: 6 out of 10
'If....' was a great film when it came out, but I'm not convinced that it still is. Really great movies are timeless, but 'If....' is very much of its decade. On the plus side, much of the film is grittily, sometimes brutally, realistic, almost foreshadowing institutional movies of the 80s such as Scum (this certainly ain't no 'History Boys'). Attention to detail around the dorms and studies is terrific, and historically fascinating, the performances are all-round good, I still love that music... I guess what lets it down is the narrative and the themes (which fundamentally come down to that old favourite, 'sticking it to The Man'), which no doubt seemed right on the money in 1968 in the context of the Paris riots and Grosvenor Square but now seem somewhat naive. Hard, too, to see some of the experimental techniques, the clunky dialogue and the more surreal elements as other than pretentious now, refreshing and innovative as they doubtless seemed in their day.
I saw it around 1970 when I was 13, and read the screenplay, and loved both. My daughter saw it at the same age and, though she laughed at quite a few scenes (it is a pretty funny film in places), she was baffled by most of it. 'Why does it keep going black and white?'. 'Why is the Chaplain in a drawer?'. I was damned if I could provide many good answers.
If you were there or thereabouts in the late sixties, or early seventies, you'll love it as a) a pretty good film, b) a period curiosity and c) a bit of a nostalgia trip, probably in that order. A great film? Hmmm... maybe you had to be there.
If.......... you havent seen it then do so.
Review date: 2008-01-31 Rating: 8 out of 10
I cant belive i have gone so long without seeing it.This movie blew me away.The final scene in the film is something i would have loved to have done at school (im not even joking there)I wont give away to much becuase if you have seen it you will love it if yu havent then go fourth and see it now.
Entertaining, but scary movie...
Review date: 2007-11-22 Rating: 10 out of 10
'If' was one of those movies I just had to watch when I was a child and young adult - though it terrified me in places... This is an interesting picture that for some reason, the viewer is unable to detract from one single scene! Malcolm McDowell seems an unlikely lead in this curious film. (a guy incidentally, whose peculiar looks have got better as he has got older) I remember thinking the character 'Rowntree' (played by the late Robert Swann) was divinely handsome, but being utterly afraid of him at the same time... I guess this is what is so good about the film; that it comes across with the message it so wants to portray. About the only reassuring figure in the whole film was the headmaster (played by Peter Jeffrey) he really made me feel more 'comfortable' and reassured with the whole thing - sadly, his character is one that comes to a most awful and undeserving end... Christine Noonan is excellent as 'the girl', and I'm sure that everyone would agree that all the cast give a tremendous performance in this.
An unusual film that is shot in both black and white and colour, and has been an amazingly, and surprisingly very long time in coming out on DVD.
Contains a set of collectable postcards from the movie.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Christine Noonan
David Wood
Rupert Webster
Malcolm McDowell
Richard Warwick
Creators:
Malcolm McDowell (Primary Contributor)
David Wood (Primary Contributor)
David Sherwin (Writer)
John Howlett (Writer)
Director(s):
Recording label: Paramount Home Entertainment (UK)
Manufacturer: Paramount Home Entertainment (UK)
EAN: 5014437808233
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Black & White, Colour, PAL,
Release date: 2007-07-23
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 107 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1968
Language: English (Original Language)