Kes

Critics Consensus

A harrowing coming of age tale told simply and truly, Kes is a spare and richly humane tribute to the small pockets of beauty to be found in an oppressive world.

100%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 31

91%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 9,150

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Movie Info

In this 1969 Ken Loach film, a 15-year-old named Billy Casper (played by acting newcomer David Bradley) suffers abuse both at home and at school in Yorkshire, England. At his home in the working-class section of Barnsley, Billy's brother beats him and his family neglects him. At school, most of his teachers ridicule and reject him, especially sadistic Mr. Sugden (Brian Glover. Like other downtrodden children in an outmoded social system favoring the ruling class, Billy appears headed for a menial job with no future. Consequently, he has no motivation and nothing to look forward to, until the day he finds a kestrel -- a European falcon with the ability to hover against strong wind. The bird, a fledgling, is akin to the boy, who must withstand winds of his own. It is not surprising, therefore, that Billy finds meaning in befriending and caring for the baby kestrel. He raises, nurtures, and trains the falcon, whom he calls "Kes." Its development gives him hope that he too will one day develop, that he too will gain the skills to fly against the wind. Then Billy opts to spend his brother's track money on food for Kes, which sets the stage for a grave disagreement betwen the young men and an unhappy outcome. ~ Mike Cummings, Rovi
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (for language, nudity and some teen smoking)
  • Genre:
    Art House & International, Classics, Drama
  • Directed By:
    Ken Loach
  • Written By:
    Ken Loach, Tony Garnett, Barry Hines
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Image Entertainment

Cast

Lynne Perrie
as Mrs. Casper
David Bradley (II)
as Billy Casper
Freddie Fletcher
as Jud
Lynne Perrie
as Mrs. Casper
Colin Welland
as Mr. Farthing
Brian Glover
as Mr. Sugden
Bob Bowes
as Mr. Gryce
Trevor Hasketh
as Mr. Crossley
Eric Bolderson
as Farmer
Harry Markham
Russell Geoffrey Banks
as Mathematics Teacher
Zoe Sutherland
as Librarian
Joe Miller
as Mrs. Casper's Friend
Joey Kaye
as Comedian at Pub
Bernard Atha
as Youth Employment Officer
Robert Naylor
as MacDowell
David Glover
as Tibbutt
Douggie Brown
as Milkman
Stephen Crossland
as Billy's Friend
George Speed
as Billy's Friend
Frank Norton
as Billy's Friend
Martin Harley
as Younger Boy
Bill Dean
as Fish and Chip Shop Man
View All

News & Interviews for Kes

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Critic Reviews for Kes

All Critics (31) | Top Critics (11) | Fresh (31)

View All Critic Reviews (31)

Audience Reviews for Kes

  • May 23, 2013
    No signs of age on this at all. Just as poignant as it was when it first came out.
    Marcus W Super Reviewer
  • Jun 28, 2012
    [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] This much adored Ken Loach picture is a likable, smart and rightfully depressing film. However for me there was a small sense of a lack of emotional involvement. The tone of it frequently changed from being a coming of age drama to a family film and then back again, which I found slightly confusing. However the performances are genuinely emotionally resonant and the narrative itself is interesting and inspirational. Despite having one of the most unredemptive endings i've ever seen for what was meant to be, essentialy, a film partly about redemption. It's sweet yet edgy, and it maintains as a good example of classic British cinema.
    Directors C Super Reviewer
  • Mar 23, 2012
    Northern England, 1969, and life is pretty glum for an introspective lad just finishing up regular school. Its the system, you see, that handles people like products in an immense factory. It breeds ... inhumanity. But one found hobby gives our boy some dignity, and that's the training of a wild creature. Stark and oppressive, Loach's commentary on modern times seen through adolescence rings too true to be ignored.
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
  • Aug 25, 2011
    I didn't swoon for "Kes" as much as many others did, probably because... 1) deciphering the accents was a serious, serious problem for this Yank. 2) the story's "a boy and his dog" arc was overly familiar. 3) none of the characters were too well-developed beyond Billy. A lovely score, however. And a remarkably natural performance from the novice David Bradley.
    Eric B Super Reviewer
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