A Clockwork Orange How old is Alex. Alex DeLarge - the main character of the film "A Clockwork Orange"

Characteristic

Alex is the protagonist and narrator of the novel, where he never reveals his last name. In the film, however, in addition to the surname "DeLarge", several newspaper clippings are added (referring to Alex's return to normal society after a long period of treatment with Ludovico's system), where his name is given as Alex Burgess, a reference to the author of the novel, Anthony Burgess. .

Criticism and reviews

• Alex got 10th place in
• Empire magazine ranked Alex 42nd on its list of the greatest movie characters of all time. [ ] [[K:Wikipedia:Articles without sources (country: Lua error: callParserFunction: function "#property" was not found. )]][[K:Wikipedia:Articles without sources (country: Lua error: callParserFunction: function "#property" was not found. )]]
• Wizard magazine awarded the character 36th place in the ranking of the greatest villains of all time.

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Excerpt characterizing Alex (A Clockwork Orange)

A Clockwork Orange is a cult dystopian film directed by Stanley Kubrick, based on novel of the same name English writer Anthony Burgess and was released in 1971.

The plot centers on the fate of teenager Alexander DeLarge, who with his gang is engaged in robberies, robberies and rapes of citizens of futuristic Britain. One fine day, another act of “ultra-violence”, which was intended as a robbery country house, ends with the murder of his owner. Alex is caught red-handed, and the court sentences him to fourteen years. Once in prison, the young man voluntarily becomes the subject of an experiment to suppress the desire for violence. As part of treatment main character had the opportunity to eat heartily, receive doses of a previously untried drug and continually admire cinematic acts of “ultra-violence” to the accompaniment of the majestic music of Ludwig van Beethoven. Therapy resulted in Alex becoming constantly sick of his three favorite things: sex, violence, and Beethoven's 9th Symphony. Upon release, DeLarge completely loses the skill of self-defense and the ability to counteract external aggression from members of “normal” society.

The narration throughout the film is told from the perspective of the main character, who speaks “Nadsat” - a teenage slang created by the author of the novel, Anthony Burgess, from a mixture of English and Russian words, gypsy speech and British slang.

BigPiccha invites you to look at how Stanley Kubrick was able to present all this on the big screen.

1. In 1963 American writer Terry Southern, with whom Kubrick collaborated on the screenplay for Dr. Strangelove, read A Clockwork Orange. Knizhka made such a deep impression on Terry that he gave it to Kubrick.

When Kubrick first read the novel, he was put off by Burgess's linguistic sophistication. “Stanley was not at all attracted to the novel at first,” Terry recalls. - He said: “No one will understand such a language.” And so it was. We discussed this all day." It seemed that the director had forgotten about it, but at the end of 1969, Kubrick called Southern - to the latter's surprise - and asked: “Remember the book by Anthony Burgess that you showed me?”

2. In general, after filming “A Space Odyssey,” the director planned to make a film about the life of Napoleon called “Waterloo.” He researched this topic for several years and even managed to negotiate with the Yugoslav army about the recruitment of extras. But in last moment something didn't work out with denzhatami. That's when Stanley remembered A Clockwork Orange.

3. The conviction that “drugs that stimulate thinking and perception will become part of the human future” led to his decision to film kintso based on the novel.

4. Kubrick was also influenced by the fact that in 1969-1970 there was a noticeable shift in Hollywood towards “young cinema”. Explicit nudity, blasphemy, sacrilege, political protest are the main directions of the new American cinema. The power of the “moral league,” which caused the director a lot of problems while working on “Lolita,” has ended. Arose new network independent art cinemas that could afford to show whatever they wanted on their screens. Adrienne Corrie, who played in “Orange,” believes that Kubrick wanted to make an antithesis “ Space Odyssey“: “It could have been like this for us, but this is how it will be for us.”

5. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer was no longer subsidizing anyone, and Stanley needed money for A Clockwork Orange. He tried to start a collaboration with Francis Ford Coppola's newly created American Zoetrope, a mini-studio based in San Francisco. Coppola gathered there the greatest cinematic talents to make films without the interference from management that characterizes the best studios. Zoetrope was created in 1969, Kubrick and other directors collaborated with Coppola, but the collaboration never worked out.

In the end, we managed to come to an agreement with longtime droogami from Seven Arts, who helped film Lolita. In July 1967, this company merged with Warner Bros. Kubrick signed a contract with WB for three films at once.

6. By the time bumazhki were signed, the director had already assigned the role of Alex to Malcolm McDowell. Stanley first noticed McDowell in Lindsay Anderson's If... (1968). The actor played a student at a private privileged school who rebelled against starry snobbish traditions, an inert teaching system and corporal punishment. Together with devotchkoi from the working environment, the teenager climbs onto the roof and mows down those responsible for his misfortunes with machine gun fire. “If...” - the first big one english film, which featured naked nudity, and the actor handled these scenes with confidence. He played just as calmly sex scenes in "Orange".

7. McDowell was almost twenty-eight years old - twice as old as the hero of Burgess's novel, but that did not matter. “If Malcolm is busy,” Kubrick said, “I probably won’t make the film.” Fortunately, he was free.

8. The film's budget was very limited ($2.2 million), so Kubrick could not pay much for the script. Terry Southern (pictured) offered him his own, written together with Michael Cooper, but in response he received only a meager pismetso from one of the director’s employees: “Mr. Kubrick decided to try to write the script himself.”

9. Due to modest finances, all filming was carried out in natural light and in “live scenery”. The photo shows an episode of beating bomzha under the bridge.

10. Only four extremely necessary interiors were created (the Korova bar - in the photo, the prison, the bathroom in the writer’s house and the hallway of Alex’s apartment) - for this Kubrick rented a small factory. There was no studio filming at all.

11. Burgess's novel does not exactly describe the bar's interior, but Kubrick and the young John Berry (the film's designer) imagined it as a temple to the sexual stimulation of the consumer. Not long before this, London pop artist Allen Jones made a splash with his furniture constructed from life-size female mannequins in slave positions. Kubrick originally asked Jones for permission to use his sculptures in A Clockwork Orange. The artist asked: “For how much?” The director responded evasively: “When they are seen in my film, you will become rich.” Jones refused.

12. Ultimately, John Berry took photographs of a nude dancer who stood in an arched bridge - in a position reversed from the position of Jones' table mannequin. Berry also filmed a lap dancer with her groody sticking out. Based on these photographs, life-size figures were made from fiberglass; mannequins in a “bridge” pose were used as tables, and kneeling ones depicted dispensers for dispensing “milk-plus”, with moloko flowing from soskov. The real milk that Kubrick insisted was used to fill these figures curdled in the heat of the spotlights, and the mannequins had to be emptied, washed and refilled hourly.

13. Director Vivian’s Dochurka helped carve the letters that can be seen on the walls of the kabaka from polystyrene foam.

14. After the release of the tape, its most iconic elements were Alex’s appearance (pale litso, long doll-like false eyelashes on one glazze) and the uniform of the shaiki members. They are dressed in the same white trousers with “sandboxes” sewn into the step, shirts and heavy “parachutist” boots. The differences in clothing are minimal: either belts or suspenders are used, and instead of a bowler hat, a top hat or beret is worn on the head.

16. Pop art, in particular pop erotica, served as an excellent visual backdrop for A Clockwork Orange. “The erotic scenery of the film gave the impression that the action had been transferred to the near future,” Kubrick explained. - It is assumed that erotic art will eventually become widespread, and just as you buy African landscapes from Woolworths today, so one day you will be able to buy erotic paintings.”

17. The glossy, playful eroticism of the film, in particular the painting and giant dick in the house of the lady with kotyarami (pictured), the porcelain group - four Christs, naked and dancing like a corps de ballet - in Alex's room, introduces viewers to the world of "A Clockwork Orange".

19. Many pop art objects look ironic and anecdotal. It is worth noting that images of women are not far behind them. Just take a look at the starryu lady and the pose in which she appears to us.

20. And the moment of her death is completely absurd. To be killed by a huge phallus, a product contemporary art decorating the mantelpiece. What could be gloopee?

26. As you know, sound plays an important place in Kubrick’s films. Alex's selfless love for Beethoven determined musical characteristic"A Clockwork Orange" To add classic tunes to the film without abandoning pop elements, Stanley brought in pop composer Walter Carlos (later - after a gender change - Wendy Carlos). The director bought new ones from him electronic versions Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Rossini's William Tell Overture and Purcell's Music for the Death of Queen Mary. Kubrick added a few more tunes that he accidentally heard on the radio performed by the little-known trio Sunforest, musicians in the style of new age.

27. Kubrick also asked group Pink Floyd to sell the rights to their composition Atom Heart Mother. But, since he wanted a perpetual license and unlimited possibilities to change musical material, the group refused. In the record store scene, the album cover of the same name hangs above the counter.

28. Four days were spent rehearsing scenes of the rape of the writer’s wife, but it was impossible to find what was needed. The situation was saved by Malcolm, who offered to sing the entire song he knew (Singin’ in the Rain), while dancing slightly. Kubrick thought it was very funny. When all the footage was filmed, he bought the rights to the composition for 10 thousand dollars.

29. A car in which friends drive along night roads can also be considered a work of art.

30. The unique futuristic-looking unit in the film is called Durango 95, in the world - M-505 Adams Brothers Probe 16. It was created by former Marcos designers, brothers Dennis and Peter Adams in 1969. The entrance to the tachku was through a sliding glass roof; the body was made of fiberglass. A total of three copies were produced.

31. Later art critic Time magazine Robert Hughes admiringly remarked: “Not a single film in last decade(and perhaps in the entire history of cinema) does not contain such sophisticated and frightening prophecies about the future role cultural sites- painting, architecture, sculpture, music - in our society..."

32. As for the filming process itself, despite Kubrick’s perfectionism, the film was released exactly a year after filming began. This is a speed record for a director.

35. Actress Adrienne Corry (wife of writer Alexander) said before filming the rape scene: “Now you will all see that I am a natural redhead.” On fotke - the process of persuasion has begun.

38. Only actor Patrick Magee (Frank Alexander) was not particularly happy at this moment. By the way, pay attention to the robe the writer is wearing. When Alex gets into this domishko next time (after being treated and beaten by milisentami), he will already be dressed in this item wardrobe Now he is a victim.

39. McDowell’s character gets therapy “according to the Louis method” from state turyagi 84-F. The photo shows the formation of zekov before the arrival of the minister.

44. Glazza Alexa during psychological treatment were forcibly held open using special locks. They were threaded through the veko - this could only be done under anesthesia.

45. During these scenes there was a doctor who stood next to the actor and made sure that his eyes did not dry out.

46. ​​McDowell subsequently complained to Kirk Douglas: “What a son of a bitch! The cornea of ​​my left eye was scratched. My eye hurt and I went blind.”

48. Malcolm happened to receive other injuries. In one scene where Alex's intolerance for violence is revealed, McDowell's attacker squeezed him too hard and injured his ribs. Also, McDowell almost choked when he was dipped bashkoi in water and refused for two minutes Breathe-helping machine. The actor always remembered the taste of the meat extract that was used to color the water. The episodes in Bolnichke should have been a little close to him.

49. But that’s not all zlodeyaniya. Kubrick, aware of McDowell's fear of reptiles, announced one morning, "Malk, I got you a snake." And he showed the python that Alex kept in his dresser drawer and took with him to bed.52. Interesting fact: during the breaks between filming, Kubrick and Malcolm played table tennis, the director lost more often. McDowell later discovered that Stanley had deducted all the time spent playing the game from his fee. They also played chess, where Stanley had no equal - these hours were counted as working hours for McDowell.55. As for Anthony Burgess (pictured), the author of the novel, his first impression of watching the film arranged for him by Kubrick was terrible. The writer's wife and his literary agent wanted to leave after the first ten minutes, but Burgess decided that it would look provocative. As he said, he did not want to give in to Kubrick's courtesy.

56. The English edition of the book ends with Alex returning to the street with a new gang, now he can give himself complete freedom, but discovers that he has lost his thirst for destruction. He is sentimental about children and the elderly and decides it's time to start a family and settle down.

Eric Swanson, Burgess's editor at the American publishing house U.U. Norton, suggested omitting last chapter. The writer replied that this was a wonderful idea. He explained that he wrote the happy ending at the request of his London publisher, but without pleasure.

57. Kubrick said that he learned about the existence of an optimistic ending only four months after starting work on the film. He, like Svenson, thought that the ending was “completely out of tone with the whole book” and forgot about it. As a result, the tape ends with approval of Alex's vicious life, and this has far-reaching consequences.

58. A Clockwork Orange premiered on December 19, 1971. For distribution in the United States, in order to move from the category of X films to a more accessible one for viewers, Kubrick shortened some episodes and replaced two scenes. As a result, A Clockwork Orange was nominated for four Oscars, including Best movie" and "Best Director" (which happens extremely rarely with films in this category). The film did not receive a single statuette due to its bad reputation, losing to The French Connection.

59. When has it been since the premiere more than a year, "Orange" was still being commented on and discussed on both sides of the Atlantic. Newspapers everywhere published reports of crimes believed to have been committed under his influence. British newspapers and courts have cited A Clockwork Orange as a symbol of youth street violence, although evidence that the film inspired teenagers to commit crimes was inconclusive.

60. At first, Kubrick defended his brainchild and the right to freedom of speech. However, after accusations of promoting violence in the press and after he began receiving anonymous death threats, the director’s opinion changed dramatically. In early 1974, Warner Bros. and Kubrick decided to withdraw the film from distribution in the UK without publicly announcing it. The film had already been released in most cinemas and was supposed to slowly disappear from view. The company and Kubrick hoped that the controversy it caused would disappear with it.

Also, Kubrick's assistant Leon Vitali destroyed all the footage that was not included in the film. The photo shows one of the deleted scenes.

61. Until his death in March 1999, the director tried to prevent all screenings of Orange in British independent cinemas and screenings. documentaries about him on television.

The dystopian film "A Clockwork Orange" directed by American director Stanley Kubrick. The film is based on the book of the same name British writer Anthony Burgess. The author did not specify whether the work takes place in the distant future or in an alternative reality. The plot touches on such topics as sociopathy, a tendency to unmotivated violence, and the protest of young people against established rules in society.

Book by Anthony Burgess

This work by a British writer was published in 1962. The main character and narrator of his novel is a high school student named Alex, who leads a street gang. He lives in a subculture based on extreme violence. For Alex and his accomplices, committing atrocities becomes an end in itself. With the help of criminal acts they express their disobedience to the authorities. The main character's last name remains unknown in the novel A Clockwork Orange. Alex DeLarge was first mentioned in the adaptation literary work for cinema.

Specifics of the novel

The book contains numerous shocking and naturalistic scenes that caused mixed reaction from readers. In addition, Anthony Burgess made a bold experiment with the form of storytelling. The novel is partly written in fictitious jargon, artificially created by the author himself. In addition to his literary talents, Burgess had linguistic abilities and knew several languages. He traveled widely around the world and, shortly before writing A Clockwork Orange, visited Soviet Union. This may be the reason why most of the slang words are borrowed from the Russian language.

IN original text they are written in Latin. Nowhere in the book is there an explanation of their meaning for English-speaking readers. Similar non-standard artistic device created certain difficulties for the public that made it difficult to understand the content of the novel. However, the writer did not want to give up the idea of ​​​​using mysterious jargon, because he wanted to emphasize the fact that asocial teenagers live in their own closed world and communicate in a language unfamiliar to other people.

Stanley Kubrick film

The cult American director was enthusiastic about the proposal to film the book, which received much attention. conflicting reviews readers. He wrote a cinematic script very close to the literary original. The reaction was the opposite. He was alarmed by the prospect of scenes of excessive violence being transferred from the book to the screen. However, the writer believed in the talent of Stanley Kubrick and the charisma of actor Malcolm McDowell, chosen for main role in the picture. Unlike the 15-year-old hero of the literary work, Alex DeLarge looks noticeably older in the film. McDowell managed to convincingly portray the character of the cult novel on screen. Alex DeLarge in the photo from the film became in a classic way villain.

Director Stanley Kubrick received many threats and accusations of promoting cruelty. He was forced to stop releasing the film in the UK.

Beginning of the character's biography

Alex's story can be divided into three parts. The first is about his life with his parents in a dystopian version of British society. During the day, the main character studies at school, and at night he beats, robs and rapes random victims. Alex DeLarge is portrayed as a sociopath who is intellectually aware of the wrongness of his behavior but unable to change it.

Treatment

The next stage of his life begins after he kills a woman during another robbery. Alex is arrested by the police. The court sentences him to 14 years prison term. The administration of the correctional institution invites Alex to take part in experimental treatment in order to get rid of the craving for violence and antisocial behavior. The method involves developing a conditioned reflex in the patient. If a person who has undergone treatment has a desire to show aggression, he begins to experience severe pain. Alex Delarge is eligible for early release after successfully completing the experiment.

By-effect

The third part of the story describes the adventures of the main character after leaving prison. Alex discovers that while he has been cured of his violent tendencies, he has also lost the ability to protect himself from aggression from other members of society. His parents reject him. People whom Alex DeLarge has wronged in the past are stalking and beating him up. After an unsuccessful suicide attempt, he is hospitalized. From this moment on, the development of events in the film differs significantly from the literary original. In the movie, the treatment stops working and Alex reverts to a violence-obsessed sociopath. The ending of the book is more optimistic: after a few years, the main character grows up and overcomes his destructive tendencies. Alex begins to think that it’s time for him to start a family and have children.