Something a bit different for you this time, a full cast dramatisation (now OOP) of the famous Anthony Burgess novel "Clockwork Orange".Although I like the Kubrick film version, I felt the book was far superior. I remember reading the book in the early seventies as a 13 year old, and very soon after, we managed to get hold of a pirate video version of the film (the film was banned for 27 years in the UK and was very difficult to see until its re-release in 2001) which I couldn't wait to see. Malcolm McDowell was perfect as Alex (the Anti Hero) but for me Kubrick introduced too many of his own scenes and it just didn't work as well as the book (did anyone else feel the same?)
SPOILER ALERT (If you haven't read the book or seen the film don't read this bit)
In the final chapter I remember smiling (with Alex) that the old Alex was back, and I was surprised that the Author could make you feel empathy for someone as nasty as Alex (again anyone else feel the same?), and the film somehow didn't manage to create that feeling (is that a good or bad thing?).
I later on discovered that the book I read had a missing final chapter, which had been removed by the US publishers (Burgess was not 100% behind the chapter removal) who felt the public wouldn't believe a redemption ending with Alex realsiing everything he had done was wrong and preferred the darker ending. I still haven't got round to reading the book as Burgess originally planned (has anyone else read that version? if so what did you think?). By the way Kubrick's film also followed the censored chapter version of the book.
SPOILER ALERT FINISH (you can carry on now)
The play is an interesting version, again for me the book is still superior but this is well worth a listen. The play also uses the Nadsat language from the book, which is a mixture of Slavic, rhyming slang and some words invented by Burgess. Picking up recent copies of the book I notice the dictionary is not included in many prints, which could make it a little hard work (both my copies have the dictionary so if anyone needs one, then leave a comment), although this play is a bit easier to understand.
I originally heard this on Radio 4 and then bought a copy of the cassette a couple of years later. So here it is ripped from glorious hissing tapes (see comments for links).
Title: Clockwork Orange
Cast: Included on high res scan
Tracks: 4 parts (taken from each side of the tape - Part 1 and 2 in first rar file, Parts 3 and 4 in second rar file)
If you like this then definitely buy the book (try and get a copy with the dictionary in the back:
This secondhand version for only 5 pence, definitely does have a dictionary:
Or if you can't be bothered to read (shame on you) the listen to the audio book:
Then try out Kubrick's classic film:
and if you enjoy the soundtrack then get this as well:
