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Ray Winstone, Mick Ford, John Judd, Phil Daniels, John Blundell ... see more see more... , Ray Burdis , Julian Firth , Alrick Riley , John Fowler , Nigel Humphreys , Philip Jackson , Peter Howell , Jo Kendall , John Grillo , Alan Igbon , Perry Benson , Sean Chapman , Bill Dean , Ray Jewers , Danny John-Jules , Ian Liston , P.H. Moriarty , Patrick Murray , Herbert Norville , John Rogan , James Donnelly

Scum refers to the label slapped upon reform-school inmate Ray Winstone. Such reformatories are called "borstals" by the British. When he isn't being beaten up by the other boys, Ray is being beaten d... read more read more...own by The System. He rebels against this treatment and "wins" by becoming more vicious than any of his oppressors. Scum was originally filmed for British television, but rejected because of the bleakness of its outlook. In America, it went straight into theatres, where audiences had to strain to comprehend the "punk" jargon and thick provincial accents. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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39% want to see it

8,094 ratings

R, 1 hr. 36 min.

Directed by: Alan Clarke

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DVD Release Date: February 28, 2006

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Flixster Reviews (756)

  • brooklynspo
    August 9, 2007
    brooklynspo
    I'm the Daddy!
  • Callahan441
    February 19, 2012
    Callahan441
    Despite being released over 30 years ago, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Scum has lost none of its punch. Scum is an unforgiving portrait of the British borstal system; 1 hour and 30 minutes of both physical and psychological abuse.
    The film examines the hierarchy of t... read morehe borstal, looking at the behaviour and roles of both the wardens and the inmates, questioning who's worst. The hierarchy is ruptured when Carlin (Ray Winstone) enters the borstal. Carlin claims to be looking for 'no trouble', but really is equally or even more pugnacious and skullduggerous than the rest.

    Much like 'Cool Hand Luke' and 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest', Scum explores the infuriating frustration of injustice in 'correctional' institutions. Personally, I find few things worse than the abuse of power, whether it's within an institution or within a family. I'm sure many would agree with me on that, subsequently making Scum an engrossing, resonating and unpleasant watch for all. The character of Archer, an intelligent and supposedly staunch vegetarian who's out to make life hard for the screws, delivers strands of Roy Minton's script that brilliantly observe the system and the angry men that staff these institutions - "Although you have spent your life in the prison service, you are still only a basic officer. Now, who gets the stick for that? Us. Who pays for that daily humiliation?"

    It's Carlin's arrival, growth and ultimately tenure as 'The Daddy' that serves as the central narrative of the film, but, as a whole, it is a condemnation of the British borstal system that's the films message and purpose. Through convincing performances and harsh realism, Scum accomplishes what it sets out to achieve: depict the reprehensible conditions of violence, racism and corruption in these institutions. One may wonder if the film exaggerated these conditions, but the borstal system was abolished by government in 1982, replacing it with 'Youth Custody Centres'. I think this speaks volumes for Scum's credibility.
  • 76Majikat
    May 14, 2011
    76Majikat
    A film I've always meant to waatch, but only just got around to seeing it.

    It's the 70's and gritty brutal life inside a English Borstal for boys urges it's prisioners to compete for survival of the fittest. A harsh reality reflecting the violence, rape, racial segregation etc ... read moreetc and was no doubt controversial but very honest for it's time.

    This had to be the role that gave Ray Winstone his big break and made him into a British (at least) household name.
  • SirPant
    September 25, 2009
    SirPant
    One of the best British films ever made. Scum is the daddy!
  • SarahG1988
    June 13, 2009
    SarahG1988
    Still incredibly shocking and disturbing even 30 years on. Delivers a strong depiction of life in a borstal during the 1970's. A film that must be watched...

    More to follow in a bit
  • Beefy
    May 13, 2007
    Beefy
    A good film, but nowhere near as sensational as I'd heard it was.
  • WrenchLT
    May 8, 2007
    WrenchLT
    "The Daddy" of all prison movies. No other film has come close to being as brutal, realistic and shocking as this. Racism, suicide, rape, bullying are all explored in graphic detail. It doesn't make for comfortable viewing, and it's certainly not a film to watch if you're in a d... read moreepressed, suicidal state. But it's a film that once you've watched, you'll never forget it.
  • fb1142797643
    June 19, 2010
    fb1142797643
    A raw, brutal look at the power struggles within an English prison for young men. Fighting, rape and even suicide are standard fare, and the dialogue also serves as a solid primer for vulgar UK slang. The film's production values are a bit crude, but the acting is so good that it... read more's almost unfathomable that these kids weren't genuine offenders. Did they really enjoy a meal together at the catering table, after a tough day of shooting?

    I do feel the flamboyant conclusion was a bit inconsistent and illogical. I can't say more without spoiling.

    I should add that I saw the 1979 version, not the original, made-for-television film.
  • keith222
    May 19, 2009
    keith222
    You don't fuck with the Daddy!!! Especially when Ray Winstone has no problem kicking you in the nuts and hitting you with pool balls
  • KLFilmmaker
    January 20, 2008
    KLFilmmaker
    Gritty and nasty little British reform school film.

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Critic Reviews

Fernando F. Croce
April 1, 2010
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion

Clarke's prison, like Losey's, crystallizes the societal rot on the outside Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
November 24, 2005
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Has a raw power that is disturbing. Full Review

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

January 10, 2004
Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
August 14, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Rich Cline
January 16, 2004
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall

No review available.

Derek Adams
June 24, 2006
Derek Adams, Time Out

Click to read the article Full Review

May 24, 2003
Film4

Click to read the article Full Review

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Scum Trivia

  • What movie features the quote, "Someday a real rain will come and wash all this scum off the streets."?  Answer »
  • Someday a real rain will come and wash all this scum off the streets. de niro in 1976 scorsese movie  Answer »
  • What movie does the following tagline come from? Protecting the earth from the scum of the universe.  Answer »
  • What movie does the following tagline come from? Same Planet. New Scum.  Answer »
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