if.... (1968)
Director: Lindsay Anderson
Writer: David Sherwin and John Howlett
Cast: Malcolm McDowell, David Wood, Richard Warwick, Robert Swann, Hugh Thomas and Christine Noonan.
One of bravest and boldest films to come out of the British film industry in the 1960’s. It won the Palme d’Or for best film at the 1969 Cannes film festival. The story takes place at an all boys ivy league school dubbed College House where students aren’t just groomed for higher education; they’re brainwashed into serving God and country. The film is broken up into eight chapters and told during an abbreviated school year for both underclassmen and seniors. For the younger students we see them learning the ropes and trying to survive the newfound rules, regulations and rituals. For the graduating seniors we see them trying to survive their principal adversaries known as the “Whips.” The Whips are a group of subsidiary boys who patrol the school and keep everyone in check both to better the school and for their own delusions of grandeur.
While the film is seen through the eyes of many characters, the film belongs to three Crusaders: Mick, Johnny, and Wallace -- headed by Mick (Malcolm McDowell in his film debut). Mick returns for the new term disenchanted with the charade of fighting the good fight and spends most of his time palling around with his mates, pondering world news and drinking vodka after hours. The Whips see Mick as a degenerate with his longer than tolerated hair and his habit of sticking hands in his pockets. But most of all they see him as a troublemaker for voicing his opinion against the hypocrisy of what the school really stands for -- a militaristic dictatorship.The Whips use their abuse of power to deliver swift humiliating punishment for any minor infraction they deem to be undermining; and/or detrimental to maintaining order.
But if.... is a film that transcends its basic plot by being something much more surrealistic. It’s a transfixing counterculture kaleidoscope that is both a savage satire and comedic history lesson. It somehow manages to touch on every hot button issue of the past and present -- from religion to homosexuality to human compassion; while also being playful. Released three years into the Vietnam War it can clearly be seen as anti-war, pro rebellion and bravely defiant of the bombastic rhetoric of war propaganda. Nearly 50 years after it’s release if.... still shocks, amuses and inspires lovers of daring cinema; and it speaks to me on so many levels and reminds me to never conform or relinquish my belief in being treated fair.
Director: Lindsay Anderson
Writer: David Sherwin and John Howlett
Cast: Malcolm McDowell, David Wood, Richard Warwick, Robert Swann, Hugh Thomas and Christine Noonan.
One of bravest and boldest films to come out of the British film industry in the 1960’s. It won the Palme d’Or for best film at the 1969 Cannes film festival. The story takes place at an all boys ivy league school dubbed College House where students aren’t just groomed for higher education; they’re brainwashed into serving God and country. The film is broken up into eight chapters and told during an abbreviated school year for both underclassmen and seniors. For the younger students we see them learning the ropes and trying to survive the newfound rules, regulations and rituals. For the graduating seniors we see them trying to survive their principal adversaries known as the “Whips.” The Whips are a group of subsidiary boys who patrol the school and keep everyone in check both to better the school and for their own delusions of grandeur.
While the film is seen through the eyes of many characters, the film belongs to three Crusaders: Mick, Johnny, and Wallace -- headed by Mick (Malcolm McDowell in his film debut). Mick returns for the new term disenchanted with the charade of fighting the good fight and spends most of his time palling around with his mates, pondering world news and drinking vodka after hours. The Whips see Mick as a degenerate with his longer than tolerated hair and his habit of sticking hands in his pockets. But most of all they see him as a troublemaker for voicing his opinion against the hypocrisy of what the school really stands for -- a militaristic dictatorship.The Whips use their abuse of power to deliver swift humiliating punishment for any minor infraction they deem to be undermining; and/or detrimental to maintaining order.
But if.... is a film that transcends its basic plot by being something much more surrealistic. It’s a transfixing counterculture kaleidoscope that is both a savage satire and comedic history lesson. It somehow manages to touch on every hot button issue of the past and present -- from religion to homosexuality to human compassion; while also being playful. Released three years into the Vietnam War it can clearly be seen as anti-war, pro rebellion and bravely defiant of the bombastic rhetoric of war propaganda. Nearly 50 years after it’s release if.... still shocks, amuses and inspires lovers of daring cinema; and it speaks to me on so many levels and reminds me to never conform or relinquish my belief in being treated fair.
