A Clockwork Orange (film) world really means". A Clockwork Orange (film) A Clockwork Orange is a 1971 dystopian crime film adapted, produced, and directed by Stanley Kubrick, based on Anthony Burgess's 1962 novel of the same name. It employs disturbing, violent images to comment on psychiatry, juvenile delinquency, youth gangs, and other social, political, and economic subjects in a dystopian near-future Britain. Alex (Malcolm McDowell), the central character, is a charismatic, antisocial delinquent whose interests include classical music (including Beethoven), committing rape, and what is termed "ultra-violence". He leads a small gang of thugs, Pete (Michael Tarn), Georgie (James Marcus), and Dim (Warren Clarke),
Alex (A Clockwork Orange) his old ultraviolent self again: "I was cured all right". While the film ends here, the novel features an additional chapter in which Alex, now a few years older, outgrows his sociopathy and begins to think about starting a family. The American Film Institute rated Alex the 12th greatest film villain of all time. "Empire" magazine selected Alex as the 42nd greatest movie character of all time "Wizard" magazine rated Alex the 36th greatest villain of all time. Malcolm McDowell's performance has been widely acclaimed by critics. McDowell was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion