A Clockwork Orange is Kubrick's most daring film, and probably the most misunderstood and controversial film of all time. It's release in 1971 caused a worldwide furor among critics, audiences, and even the Catholic Church. It was released into one small art theater in England for one year, then was released internationally. In the US it received the "X" rating, the first of its kind. In England, copycat crimes were being committed and Kubrick felt that it was striking a particularily severe chord with the Brittish youth. The result is a ban on the movie imposed by Kubrick himself. To this day all videotapes, laserdiscs, and movie reels of it are forbidden to be displayed in England. Enraged parents and religious groups campaigned strongly against the film, seeing it as an immoral, corruptive, and evil work.

     At the same time, A Clockwork Orange was receiving tremendous critical acclaim. It was chosen by the New York Film Critics as the Best Film of the year, and Kubrick received the Best Director award. It won the Italian David Donatello award. The Belgian film critics gave it their award. It won the German Spotlight award. It received four USA Oscar nominations and seven British Academy Award nominations. It won the Hugo award for the Best Science-Fiction movie. It was highly praised by Fellini, Bunuel and Kurosawa.

     So which is it? An anarchic, unethical movie that should be discouraged or even banned? Or a work of art with a strong social message? That depends on you, oh my brothers, and how open your mind is.