If….

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

• Director:Lindsay Anderson
• Genre:Drama | Romance
• Runtime:111 minutes

Cast

Malcolm McDowell : Mick Travis
David Wood : Johnny
Richard Warwick : Wallace
Christine Noonan : The Girl
Rupert Webster : Bobby Phillips

The film is set in an English public school (several scenes were filmed at Cheltenham College, though other schools were also used). Mick Travis (Malcolm McDowell) is one of three non-conformist boys among the returning class. They are watched and persecuted by the “Whips”, senior boys given authority as prefects over juniors. The prefects are entitled to the services of “Scum”, who are first-year boys assigned to run errands, make tea and generally act as unpaid servants. The film makes reference to the tradition of “fagging” in English public schools during the 1960s and before. Among the duties given to Scum in this film is the job of warming up a toilet seat for a Whip.

The early part of the film shows scenes in the school as the pupils return at the start of a new term. Mick Travis, the protagonist, arrives with a suitcase on his shoulder, wearing a black hat, and with a black scarf across his face to hide his moustache. Stephans comments, “God, it’s Guy Fawkes back again” hinting at the conclusion of the film. Rowntree is the Head Whip (Robert Swann), and he revels in his power, ordering the junior boys to “Run! Run in the corridor!”.

After the first evening meal, the Whips conduct some of the more mundane business of the school, signing up boys for “Confirmation class” and “VD clinic”. Each boy has to lower his pants so the school nurse can inspect his genitals, as was typical at 1960s public schools. Read more

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