This movie pulls off a minor miracle -- it goes from an awful, unoriginal, bad teens on a rampage opening to a beautiful, tragic, haunting conclusion. Along the way it takes a hard look at loneliness, political hypocrisy, the decline and fall of the British Empire, and the long range suffering and sadness caused by the atomic age. Most of the adult performances are bad, if not downright silly. Yet the child actors save the day with their natural humanity and unrehearsed warmth. Even when they're cold!
Most people will probably only remember this movie for Oliver Reed's spectacular early performance as the ultimate teen hoodlum. Bu there is so much more going on here. You can see how this movie really inspired later classics like A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, THE DEATH WHEELERS (aka PSYCHOMANIA) and even a tongue in cheek, comic send up like REPO MAN!
Most people will probably only remember this movie for Oliver Reed's spectacular early performance as the ultimate teen hoodlum. Bu there is so much more going on here. You can see how this movie really inspired later classics like A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, THE DEATH WHEELERS (aka PSYCHOMANIA) and even a tongue in cheek, comic send up like REPO MAN!