Scum (1979)

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Critic Reviews: 4
Fresh: 3 | Rotten: 1

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Movie Info

Scum refers to the label slapped upon reform-school inmate Ray Winstone. Such reformatories are called "borstals" by the British. When he isn't being beaten up by the other boys, Ray is being beaten down by The System. He rebels against this treatment and "wins" by becoming more vicious than any of his oppressors. Scum was originally filmed for British television, but rejected because of the bleakness of its outlook. In America, it went straight into theatres, where audiences had to strain to

R, 1 hr. 36 min.

Drama, Action & Adventure, Television

Directed By: Alan Clarke

On DVD: Feb 28, 2006

Cast

Ray Winstone
Carlin
Mick Ford
Archer
John Judd
Sands
Phil Daniels
Richards
John Blundell
Banks
Ray Burdis
Eckersley
Julian Firth
Davis
Alrick Riley
Angel
John Fowler
Woods
Nigel Humphreys
Taylor
Philip Jackson
Greaves
Peter Howell
Governor Baildon
Jo Kendall
Miss Biggs
John Grillo
Goodyear
Alan Igbon
Meakin
Perry Benson
Formby
Sean Chapman
James
Bill Dean
Duke
Ray Jewers
Gym Instructor
Danny John-Jules
Ian Liston
White
P.H. Moriarty
Hunt
Patrick Murray
Dougan
Herbert Norville
Toyne
John Rogan
Escort
James Donnelly
Whittle

Critic Reviews for Scum

All Critics (8) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (3) | Rotten (1) | DVD (6)

Clarke's prison, like Losey's, crystallizes the societal rot on the outside

April 1, 2010 Full Review Source: CinePassion

| Comment

Fernando F. Croce

CinePassion

Has a raw power that is disturbing.

November 24, 2005 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

| Comment

Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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Audience Reviews for Scum

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I'm the Daddy!

July 1, 2007

Bob Stinson

Super Reviewer

A film I've always meant to waatch, but only just got around to seeing it.It's the 70's and gritty brutal life inside a English Borstal for boys urges it's prisioners to compete for survival of the fittest. A harsh reality reflecting the violence, rape, racial segregation etc etc and was no doubt controversial but

June 11, 2007