If.... (1968)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

Lindsay Anderson

Writers:

David Sherwin (script "Crusaders") and
John Howlett (script "Crusaders") ...
(more)

Release Date:

27 August 1969 (Denmark)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Which side will you be on?

Plot:

In this allegorical story, a revolution lead by pupil Mick Travis takes place at an old established private school in England.

Plot Keywords:

Friend | Revolution | Homosexuality | Soldier | Reference To Charlie Chaplin

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Malcolm McDowell	...	Mick Travis
David Wood	...	Johnny
Richard Warwick	...	Wallace
Christine Noonan	...	The Girl
Rupert Webster	...	Bobby Phillips
Robert Swann	...	Rowntree
Hugh Thomas	...	Denson
Michael Cadman	...	Fortinbras
Peter Sproule	...	Barnes
Peter Jeffrey	...	Headmaster
Anthony Nicholls	...	General Denson
Arthur Lowe	...	Mr. Kemp
Mona Washbourne	...	Matron
Mary MacLeod	...	Mrs. Kemp
Geoffrey Chater	...	Chaplain (Reverend Woods)
Ben Aris	...	John Thomas
Graham Crowden	...	History Master
Charles Lloyd Pack	...	Classics Master
Guy Ross	...	Stephans
Robin Askwith	...	Keating
Richard Everett	...	Pussy Graves
Philip Bagenal	...	Peanuts
Nicholas Page	...	Cox
Robert Yetzes	...	Fisher
David Griffin	...	Willens
Graham Sharman	...	Van Eyssen
Richard Tombleson	...	Baird
Robin Davies	...	Machin
Brian Pettifer	...	Biles
Michael Newport	...	Brunning
Charles Sturridge	...	Martland
Sean Bury	...	Jute
Martin Beaumont	...	Hunter
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ellis Dale	...	Motorcycle Salesman (uncredited)
John Garrie	...	Music Master (uncredited)
Tommy Godfrey	...	School Porter (uncredited)
Peter Jaques	...	Schoolmaster (uncredited)
Simon Ward	...	Schoolboy (uncredited)

Directed by
Lindsay Anderson

Writing credits
David Sherwin		(script "Crusaders") and
John Howlett		(script "Crusaders")
David Sherwin		(screenplay)

Produced by
Lindsay Anderson	....	producer
Roy Baird	....	executive producer
Michael Medwin	....	producer
Albert Finney	....	producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Marc Wilkinson

Cinematography by
Miroslav Ondrícek

Film Editing by
David Gladwell

Casting by
Miriam Brickman

Production Design by
Jocelyn Herbert

Art Direction by
Brian Eatwell

Costume Design by
Shura Cohen

Makeup Department
Betty Blattner	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Zelda Barron	....	production supervisor
Gavrik Losey	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Stephen Frears	....	assistant director
John Stoneman	....	assistant director
Tim Van Rellim	....	assistant director

Art Department
Jack Carter	....	construction manager

Sound Department
Alan Bell	....	dubbing editor
Tony Jackson	....	boom operator
Alan Jones	....	assistant sound editor
Doug E. Turner	....	dubbing mixer
Christian Wangler	....	sound

Camera and Electrical Department
Brian Harris	....	camera operator
Roy Larner	....	gaffer
Chris Menges	....	camera operator
Michael Seresin	....	assistant camera

Editorial Department
Michael Ellis	....	assistant editor
Ian Rakoff	....	assistant editor

Music Department
Marc Wilkinson	....	conductor

Transportation Department
Jim Hughes	....	transportation

Other crew
Stuart Baird	....	assistant to director
Valerie Booth	....	continuity
Brian Brockwell	....	production accountant
Peter Jaques	....	director of publicity
Neville Thompson	....	assistant to producers

Production Companies

• Memorial Enterprises

Distributors

• Paramount British Pictures (1968) (UK) (theatrical)
• Paramount Pictures (1969) (USA) (theatrical)
• Paramount Home Video (2006) (USA) (DVD)
• Bontonfilm (2006) (Czech Republic) (theatrical)
• Criterion Collection, The (2007) (USA) (DVD)
• Paramount Home Video (video)

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English | Latin

Color:

Black and White | Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.75 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:15 (re-rating) | Hong Kong:IIB | Czech Republic:15 | Hungary:14 | France:-12 | Brazil:14 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | USA:R (cut version) (1969) | USA:X (1968) | West Germany:16 (bw) | UK:AA

Filming Locations:

Aldenham School, Elstree, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Memorial Enterprises

Trivia:

Although the film was shot at Cheltenham Boys' College, the script "Crusaders" was based on the authors' old school Tonbridge School. Tonbridge was the original choice for the outdoor shots, but the school declined believing it would bring bad publicity. All-boys boarding schools were receiving quite unfavourable press at the time, which might explain Tonbridge's decision.

Goofs:

Continuity: The boys order coffee at the Packhorse Café. The waitress pours the coffee into two cups and slides the cups towards the boys across the counter without spilling the coffee. Travis adds sugar to his coffee from a sugar tin. He spills some sugar and several small drops of coffee onto the counter. The spoon is left in the sugar can pointing towards the café entrance door. The boys then take their coffees away from the counter and walk towards the tables. The next shot shows the waitress standing behind the counter watching the boys. There is now a long streak of coffee on the counter which wasn't there before and the spoon in the sugar can is now pointing in a different direction. There is also no sugar spilt on the counter and no small drops of coffee either.

Quotes:

Mick Travis: There's only one thing you can do with a girl like this. Walk naked into the sea together as the sun sets. Make love once... Then die.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Room 101: (#6.10)" (2001)

Soundtrack:

Sanctus

If... not so far fetched

I first watched "If…" about thirty years ago on a black and white TV. I'm not sure whether the sensors had been active or my memory has faded. Probably the first option although the second option is also valid as many movies can and have been watched in the space of thirty years. The film struck me at first as having a strong resemblance to the school that I attended ie. A Certain College which was an ultra conservative military type school run in the old English style where there was no room for individuality. Having attended there in the same time-frame as "If…", both Malcolm's and my headmaster's comments and policies were of a not so convincing attempt to be cool and trendy. The hair cut rules, uniform rules, and the underlying fear of homosexuality were all present. The pecking order where the seniors or "whips" could have a free run with any lad who they fancied or abhorred by piling pleasures or punishments on them was something I also lived through. If fact the film "If.." was not all that far fetched. Upon seeing the film after a thirty year lapse and then being asked to write a report for my daughter who is at the age that I was when I left the establishment I mentioned was certainly a treat. After seeing the film again, I believe the sensors did have a field day in 1975 as they did in many films of that era. Most of the gun-play in the final scenes was cut out as were Malcolm's dalliances with the young lady. Some of the scenes depicting homosexual innuendo were also missing although, as I mentioned earlier, my memory could have something to do with that. The switching from colour to black and white was something that went unnoticed the first time I saw the movie. Upon discussion with my daughter I was relieved to find it was a financial shortage rather than some sort of intense flashback that I missed or didn't understand. I was thrilled at the opportunity to see the movie again. It was everything I remember it as being and more. The cast was great and the plot was realistic until the end when all hell broke loose. I'm sure I will enjoy it again next time.