IMDb > Scum (1979)
Scum
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user reviewsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips
Photos (see all 10 | slideshow) Videos
Scum (1979) -- Virgin.net Movies - Trailer (WMP)

Oscar Nominations    Photos    more »

Overview

User Rating:
7.6/10   2,769 votes
Your Rating:
Saving vote...
Deleting vote...
/10   (delete | history)
Sorry, there was a problem
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 4% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
Roy Minton (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for Scum on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
2 May 1980 (Netherlands) more
Genre:
Tagline:
The film they tried to ban! A brutal story of today. more
Plot:
This is the hard and shocking story of life in a British Borstal for young offenders. Luckily the regime has changed since this film was made... more | full synopsis
NewsDesk:
(7 articles)
Winstone Thankful For Acting Success
 (From WENN. 13 January 2010, 12:06 AM, PST)

Sheitan's Kim Chapiron Heads To Juvie With Dog Pound
 (From Twitch. 12 January 2010, 7:54 AM, PST)

User Reviews:
Mecca, Archer? more (61 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
98 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Eastmancolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Iceland:16 | Germany:16 (re-rating) (2006) | West Germany:18 (original rating) | Sweden:15 | Australia:R | Finland:K-16 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:18 (1980) | UK:18 (video rating) | USA:R
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Originally, Carlin was a Glaswegian but was changed to a Cockney when Alan Clarke saw a then unknown Ray Winstone walk in a unique way. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: All Borstal inmates were subject to the same mandatory haircut of short back and sides, yet a vast array of hairstyles are shown throughout the film, including afros. more
Quotes:
Archer: You know when I was in the Scrubs, sweating it out in that filthy cell, I had this matchbox. And it said on this matchbox that it takes 60 muscles to frown but only 13 to smile, so why waste energy? You see, I'm doing me time in a matchbox. more
Movie Connections:

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
12 out of 12 people found the following review useful.
Mecca, Archer?, 11 June 2005
9/10
Author: philkessell from Somewhere in England

The grandaddy of 'incarceration' films - this is one of the best, oft copied but never bettered.

I liked it because it's so damn British. The one liners are legion; you all know what they are and where, but among a stellar list 'Mecca, Archer' rises just above and never fails to have me in fits. The way Goodyear looks at the Governor just after this great outburst is also revealing; as is the look of satisfaction on Archer's face when he finally succeeds in riling the 'religious maniac'.

Of course, there's a serious message in here; expedited best in the conversation between Archer and Mr Duke over 'coffee'. Analysing the situation, as Archer attempts to do, will simply not be tolerated and is interpreted as dissent by a man who embodies the 'system' and is intellectually and emotionally unequipped to deal with his own, and the State's ultimate failure to deliver.

Like true class acts, this film works on several levels; it's a no nonsense drama bedecked with Taj Mahal one liners everyone loves, yet it also works on a deeper level; you cannot punitively 'correct' all offenders with violence and cruelty. You are not corrected, you are merely broken, as Davis and Toyne are. If you're not broken, you run amok, but the point is you're not 'cured'.

When this film was on TV in 1983, just after Channel Four started broadcasting, they edited the notorious potting shed sequence to such an extent that the heinous act committed was virtually excised, thereby diluting the dramatic effect to virtually zero. Interestingly enough, they also edited out the bit where Mr Greaves ignores Davis' second press of the bell. Why? Presumably because they feared the ire of the State at the highlighting of its inadequacies? I suppose they can be forgiven, Channel Four was new then after all, but it's quite revealing nonetheless.

If I'm home alone, I quote this film as I'm wandering around the house. I don't quite know why. It's all about the importance of individuality, standing up for yourself and not just 'accepting' things. That's probably the reason. Now, where's your tool?

Was the above review useful to you?
more (61 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Scum (1979)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Angel's Beating s_berry73
Why did the boy who was raped not set Carlin on the perpetrators? Mc_chives
Scum and Bully sovvolf
Did ITV4 ruin it? jiminy80
The black kid who cuts his wrists carl_mullen
Whats so bad about rape scene? JackLondon2004
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Scum If.... Edward II Ex Drummer Shopping
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb UK section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.