Kes (1970)

Director:

Ken Loach

Writers:

Barry Hines (book)
Barry Hines (adaptation) ...

Release Date:

19 June 1970 (France)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

They beat him. They deprived him. They ridiculed him. They broke his heart. But they couldn't break his spirit.

Plot:

A young, English working-class boy spends his free time caring for and training his pet falcon.

Plot Keywords:

Falcon | Teacher | School | Child Nudity | Public Humiliation

Awards:

Won 2 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

David Bradley	...	Billy
Freddie Fletcher	...	Jud
Lynne Perrie	...	Mrs. Casper
Colin Welland	...	Mr. Farthing
Brian Glover	...	Mr. Sugden
Bob Bowes	...	Mr. Gryce
Bernard Atha	...	Youth Employment Officer
Laurence Bould
Joey Kaye	...	Comedian at Pub
Ted Carroll
Robert Naylor	...	MacDowell
Agnes Drumgoon
George Speed	...	Billy's Friend
Desmond Guthrie
Zoe Sutherland	...	Librarian

Also Known As:

A Kestrel for a Knave (UK) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for language, nudity and some teen smoking.

Runtime:

110 min | Netherlands:90 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:PG-13 | Australia:PG | Germany:12 | Sweden:11 | UK:PG (video rating) (1987) | UK:U (original rating) | USA:GP | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Athersley South, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England, UK

Company:

Kestrel Films Ltd.

Trivia:

The bird featured, a common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), is a bird of prey belonging to the falcon family, widespread in Europe, Asia and Africa.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: Member of crew visible (with a beard) in the scene where Mr. Sugden is selecting the football teams.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "The Culture Show: British Film Special (#6.8)" (2007)

A pleasure to watch

Kes is a film i was aware about all the way back to when i was at school (it was made the year after i was born)but i never got around to seeing it until now and boy am i pleased i did. Rarely is there a film that exudes charm like Kes. The acting is not brilliant , neither is the script but that is what makes this film such a joy. It made me feel i was back at school amongst the self important jumped up teachers and the cruel kids .It made me remember the times when i was a teenager that i didnt care for at the time yet it also made me long to be that age again! The story is of a young lad who through having a bad time at school and with his family he finds solice in training a young bird of prey. David bradley (Casper) is excellent ,as is Brian Glover as the P.E teacher who likes to think he is Bobby Charlton. The scene when he takes the boys out to play football is brilliant . The cinemetography is superb and the haunting music contributes to what can only be described as Very good movie. 8 out of 10.