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If.... (1968)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
27 August 1969 (Denmark)
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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. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for Golden Globe.
Another 1 win
&
2 nominations
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NewsDesk:
User Comments:
Rejection and acceptance: Mick and Jute.
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Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| 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) |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
111 min
Country:
Color:
Black and White |
Color (Eastmancolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.75 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
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:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The driver of the red car stopped by Mick on the roundabout in Cheltenham was Michael Medwin, the film's producer.
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Goofs:
Factual errors: We are told by a house master, towards the start of the film, that this is the Winter Term (Sep-Dec). English Public Schools, such as the one portrayed, use and have always used their pitches to play rugby during the winter term, yet shots of (Cheltenham) College show hockey goals set up; however hockey is exclusively played in the Spring Term.
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Quotes:
Soundtrack:
Sanctus
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FAQ
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I watched this movie, for the umpteenth time, when it was shown on T.V. last night and was happy to see that it hasn't lost any of it's impact or relevance. Like so many other British films of the same time "if...." is a classic. The storyline, direction, location and acting are all stunning and as an allegory the film has as much to say today as it did when it was first released, onto an unsuspecting public, in the late 1960's. Much has been said by other reviewers about Lindsay Anderson, Malcolm McDowell and the film as a social satire, so there seems little point in going along those, well trodden, paths. I guess one aspect of the film, which always struck me as pivotal, but which hasn't been mentioned, is the inverse negative correlation between the story of Mick (Malcolm McDowell) and that of Jute (Sean Bury). While Mick starts out as a mild non-conformist who becomes increasingly disaffected with society, as represented by the school, Jute, who is initially an outsider, a new boy who doesn't know the rules, is gradually accepted and becomes an active member of that very same society. Mick's initial revolt is that of returning to school still sporting a moustache. But although he is flouting the rules by virtue of not being clean shaven, it is done on a purely personal level and he takes great pains to hide his facial hair from those in authority. Later his actions become, by stages, increasingly confrontational and open. Jute on the other hand is first shown as a small, almost lost, boy with large, frightened, puppy-dog eyes who doesn't even know that prefects are not addressed as "Sir", let alone the myriad of other complex rules that make up the society into which he has been thrust. Gradually we see his self assurance blossoming as he is accepted firstly by the other "scum" and later by the powers that be. The small socially isolated boy of the first scene is later seen playing an active role in a rugby match, sharing an impromptu meal with the other scum, confidently carrying a trophy in College Hall and finally taking an active part (as an altar boy) in the very celebration of traditional values that Mick has, by then, utterly rejected. A thought provoking film, which like that other celebrated allegory from the same era, "Lord of the Flies" (1963), has many levels and can be as deep as you wish it to be. Utterly Brilliant. Oh yeah and my favourite quote was from Mick when asked why he was sporting a moustache, his answer, "To hide my sins".