The ban only applied to the UK, as Kubrick considered our society to be too inherently violent for any art-form that might provoke further violence. He was concerned by newspaper reports of 'copycat' attacks after the release of Clockwork Orange.

It's a very negative view of British society, but unfortunately one I concur with. You can hear the violence in the profanity strewn language of the young, and the not-so-young. England is also the only country in the world that equates alcohol to fighting. In every other civilised nation beer is a source of pleasure and joy. The only positive aspect is that it does make us good fighting soldiers when it comes to war.

 

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After Kubrick's death the film ban has been lifted, and Clockwork Orange has even been shown on British mainstream TV.

I first saw the film as a 17 year old teenager and I don't remember the violent images having any effect on me. However I tried watching the film again as an adult and I couldn't bear it. The extreme violence is just too unpleasant to watch as entertainment.

Clockwork Orange is undoubtedly however a great work of art, and still one of my favourite films. Thanks to Kubrick I can't listen to some Beethoven pieces without associating it with scenes of ultra-violence. On the other hand, also thanks to Kubrick, whenever I hear the Johann Strauss waltz 'Blue Danube' I am transported on a Space Odyssey.

John McNally