Scum (1977)

Highly Recommended

UK

Television Film

Series Title: Play for Today (1970-1984)

Director: Alan Clarke

Writer: Roy Minton

Cinematographer: John Wyatt

Cast: Ray Winstone, David Threlfall, Martin Phillips, Davidson Knight, John Blundell, Phil Daniels, Ray Burdis, Richard Butler, John Judd, Bay White, Peter Gordon

Originally commissioned by the BBC for their Play for Today series, but not shown until 1991 due to executive cold feet over its strong violence (and consequently remade two years later for a cinema release), Alan Clarke’s visceral film – an unflinching portrait of dehumanising borstal life (rape, bullying, intimidation, racism, and all) – is rightly revered for its painful credibility and wonderfully raw performances. Iain.Stott