A Clockwork Orange

Discussion in 'Fiction' started by RiderOnTheStorm2.0, Nov 13, 2010.

  1. RiderOnTheStorm2.0

    RiderOnTheStorm2.0 Lizard Kween Lifetime Supporter

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    Do you prefer the book as Anthony Burgess meant it to be, with 21 chapters or do you find that the 21st chapter (originally and infamously left out of the American version) is unnecessary? I know I tried to read the book before I saw the movie and gave up about 3 chapters in because I was struggling with the lingo that Alex and his droogs use, but when I saw the film, it clarified the cadence and meaning of many of the slang words so that I was better able to comprehend the book. I have since read the book and have seen the movie numerous times and I think, because of the visual medium and the fact that Kubrick adapted the film from the American version of the book and therefore excluded the final chapter from the movie, that some folks prefer it without the originally intended 21st chapter.

    I am a bit torn actually, I agree with Burgess that the 21st chapter really shows us the maturity and final stage of evolution that Alex goes through, his ability to change because of his desire to change. It is optimistic and realistic and hopeful. It successfully takes our humble narrator (who despite being a very troubled victim, is really a loathsome human being) from malchik to citizen. However, the story without that final chapter seems a bit more mysterious and a bit more plausible almost. We are left wondering about just how cured Alex is, has he seen the error of his ways or has he simply been cured of the Ludovico treatment? It ends on a note of speculation and lets the reader reach their own conclusions. I'm not asking about the ethics of modifying an author's story when publishing a novel, I'm just curious as to whether you prefer the book as it was intended or as it was modified?
     
  2. Duck

    Duck quack. Lifetime Supporter

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    The whole book is pointless without the 21st chapter.

    It's a story about the decadence of youth. Without the 21st chapter; it's a book about decadent things that has nothing to say - gore porn in literary form.

    And the Kubrick film is a disaster.
     
  3. raz5

    raz5 زینب

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    100%.
    and to answer the question, i prefer the book. with most
    books made films i have read the book first, i had a large library as a child.

    i think you are crossing a line saying the film was a DISASTER. it was not what it could have been ,should have been, but it was still good. kubrick was doing his thing his way. rarely will a director that does a book connect so deeply with the author, the other artist, that they are trying to portrays work since they are two different artists... it's the poise, gots to have respect. it was butchered. but sometimes butchered things are ok. meat. dead bodies sometimes. ya know. :sunny:
     
  4. Duck

    Duck quack. Lifetime Supporter

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    I usually see the movie first; in fact, that's how I found my favorite author, Julian Barnes, from an indie adaptation of his Metroland

    The aesthetics are the only thing I can find commendable about the film, and a similar design for a different but equally (if not more) powerful atmosphere, was in THX 1138 that same year.

    I can't think of any way to describe the movie other than (very slow moving) violence porn. Which, I suppose is actually an appropriate adaptation, since Kubrick didn't read the 21st chapter.

    But I don't hate the movie because it's a bad adaptation; I hate the movie because it's slow, boring, does very little to draw the audience in, or make any of the characters or events actually matter.
    I would call it his worst film.
     
  5. Sam_Stoned

    Sam_Stoned Senior Member

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    Exactly. Dead fucking on. The book was about the power of choice (free will) over the constraining, opressive influance of goverment socioty. Without the last chapter it isn't about shit. If anything it makes it look pro-authoritarian... ass abckwards.

    and I dig the whole 3 sets of seven chapters symbolism. taking the last one off fuckes it up
     
  6. Euphorical

    Euphorical Member

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    i LOVE the film.... 2nd favorite movie after Apocalypse Now
     
  7. Sam_Stoned

    Sam_Stoned Senior Member

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    we're not talking about this book but good bump lol

    I don't think this convo took off like it should have. Uncultured neanderthals :p
     
  8. ChocolateMint

    ChocolateMint Member

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    Honestly I enjoyed the book and movie, but find very little value in both productions.
     
  9. JayK

    JayK Members

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    "Oh, my brothers!"
     

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