A Clockwork Orange, something you may not have known - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Xiangsu · 12-15-2003, 04:04 AM

I found this out recently because I had to read the book for an assignment. In the UK version there is an extra chapter, and for some reason the American book companies didn't want that chapter and neither did Kubric when he made the movie. Either way, in the end he Spoiler: realizes that violence, and destruction, is a part of youth and immaturity. He wants to make something better of his life and he is reformed because of his experience. He realizes that its time to become A Clockwork Orange and help the world push forward by acting accordingly. So the end there is redemption, even though in the movie it looks like he will go back to his old ways.

I think thats most of it and I'm sure someone will jump at the chance to correct any mistakes so I hope someone learns something from this.

p.s. Sorry if someone has already posted this, but you know why I did.

glitter_kiss · 12-15-2003, 10:00 AM

if i remeber correctly the reason the american version didnt have the extra chapter is because burgess(sp) didnt want it, it was placed in the uk vers to try to please the censors over there

Lasereth · 12-15-2003, 10:14 AM

That's an odd real-ending. It turns the point of the movie all the way around -- so the method the scientists used really worked? That just seems pointless to me!

-Lasereth

PeaceFrog · 12-15-2003, 10:19 AM

The book and the movie are way up there on my favorite lists and i've always prefered the ending of the movie for some reason. Either way though, they are both completely excellent.

Fremen · 12-15-2003, 10:56 AM

Good film but a little over my head.
Makes me feel all twisted up inside.

Batman976 · 12-15-2003, 11:59 AM

This is taken from a Stanley Kubrick FAQ site:

Link: http://www.visual-memory.co.uk/faq/index2.html#slot21

Quote:

21/ Why did Kubrick omit the last chapter of A Clockwork Orange in his filmed version?
Burgess offers his own explanation in the second volume of his autobiography, 'You've Had Your Time.'

"A Clockwork Orange was published in New York by WW Norton Inc. later in the year. Eric Swenson, Norton's vice-president insisted that the book lose its final chapter. I had to accede to this lopping because I needed the advance, but I was not happy about it. "

When Burgess first viewed Kubrick's film he realised he had followed the American edition of the book

Kubrick's opinion was expressed to Michel Ciment in an interview.

MC
The end of A Clockwork Orange is different from the one in the Burgess book.

SK
There are two different versions of the novel. One has an extra chapter. I had not read this version until I had virtually finished the screenplay. Spoiler: This extra chapter depicts the rehabilitation of Alex. But it is, as far as I am concerned, unconvincing and inconsistent with the style and intent of the book. I certainly never gave any serious consideration to using it.

brandon11983 · 12-15-2003, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lasereth
That's an odd real-ending. It turns the point of the movie all the way around -- so the method the scientists used really worked? That just seems pointless to me!

-Lasereth

Yeah, it just goes against the flow of the whole movie. It totally contradicts the brilliant last line of the movie... "I was cured all right."

Plan9Senior · 12-15-2003, 01:16 PM

I never got the impression he would go back to his old ways. /shrug

sadatx · 12-15-2003, 01:33 PM

I'm just getting white bars where the spoiler should be. Can someone post a link?

Redlemon · 12-15-2003, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sadatx
I'm just getting white bars where the spoiler should be. Can someone post a link?

Click and drag over the white space to select the text, and the words will magically appear. It's 'spoiler' text, so it gives you the option to see it when you want. (Or, hit Ctrl-A to Select All.)

ironchefkorea · 12-15-2003, 05:34 PM

the point of the extra chapter is this.

Spoiler: It shows how the actions of Alex and his droogs were a natural part of their youth, and how eventually, he grows up and carries on a normal life like his parents. You also later find out that one of his friends didn't disappear, he just happened to grow up before all the others. It is a parallel of normal life, but shown in an extreme manner. Lots of teens today, and all throughout history, have enjoyed sex, violence, drugs and alcohol, but for the most part, they eventually grow out of it, start accepting responsibility, and settle down.

glytch · 12-16-2003, 08:36 AM

For future reference, the "white over the text thing" is actually a tag that you can use. What you do is type [ spoiler] Your message here. [/ spoiler] (but don't use the spaces in the tags.) Spoiler: Now you know how to use the spoiler tag, the end.

Macheath · 12-16-2003, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lasereth
That's an odd real-ending. It turns the point of the movie all the way around -- so the method the scientists used really worked? That just seems pointless to me!

-Lasereth

It's been a while since I read it, but in defence of the book ending the scientists' method failed just as it did in the movie. After they failed, he then eventually reformed because of his own free will and simple developing maturity, not through being brainwashed.

Lasereth · 12-16-2003, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Macheath
It's been a while since I read it, but in defence of the book ending the scientists' method failed just as it did in the movie. After they failed, he then eventually reformed because of his own free will and simple developing maturity, not through being brainwashed.

Yeah, I'm talking about the movie, not the book. Kubrick said that he didn't think the last chapter in the second issuing of the book made sense to the overall feel of the movie:

Quote:

Originally said by Stanley Kubrick
There are two different versions of the novel. One has an extra chapter. I had not read this version until I had virtually finished the screenplay. This extra chapter depicts the rehabilitation of Alex. But it is, as far as I am concerned, unconvincing and inconsistent with the style and intent of the book. I certainly never gave any serious consideration to using it.

-Lasereth

Hrothgar · 12-20-2003, 08:47 PM

I read the book with the 21st chapter added so I was already privy to this knowledge.

more fire · 12-20-2003, 10:43 PM

the last chapter was edited out of some american versions because they had to pay more for paper once the book went over a set amount of pages, e.g. 150, so the last chapter was cut to make the book cheaper to produce
also I don't think kubrik realised at the time that he was working from an abriged text.

12-15-2003, 04:04 AM	#1 (permalink)
Xiangsu Addict Location: Illinois	A Clockwork Orange, something you may not have known I found this out recently because I had to read the book for an assignment. In the UK version there is an extra chapter, and for some reason the American book companies didn't want that chapter and neither did Kubric when he made the movie. Either way, in the end he Spoiler: realizes that violence, and destruction, is a part of youth and immaturity. He wants to make something better of his life and he is reformed because of his experience. He realizes that its time to become A Clockwork Orange and help the world push forward by acting accordingly. So the end there is redemption, even though in the movie it looks like he will go back to his old ways. I think thats most of it and I'm sure someone will jump at the chance to correct any mistakes so I hope someone learns something from this. p.s. Sorry if someone has already posted this, but you know why I did. Last edited by Xiangsu; 12-15-2003 at 04:44 AM..

12-15-2003, 10:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	That's an odd real-ending. It turns the point of the movie all the way around -- so the method the scientists used really worked? That just seems pointless to me! -Lasereth __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

12-15-2003, 10:19 AM	#4 (permalink)
PeaceFrog Tilted Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia	The book and the movie are way up there on my favorite lists and i've always prefered the ending of the movie for some reason. Either way though, they are both completely excellent. __________________ The only people for me are the mad ones...

12-15-2003, 05:34 PM	#11 (permalink)
ironchefkorea Insane	the point of the extra chapter is this. Spoiler: It shows how the actions of Alex and his droogs were a natural part of their youth, and how eventually, he grows up and carries on a normal life like his parents. You also later find out that one of his friends didn't disappear, he just happened to grow up before all the others. It is a parallel of normal life, but shown in an extreme manner. Lots of teens today, and all throughout history, have enjoyed sex, violence, drugs and alcohol, but for the most part, they eventually grow out of it, start accepting responsibility, and settle down. __________________ If it wasn't for microsoft, if we lived in the middle east? Y'all wouldn't have no hands.... Last edited by ironchefkorea; 12-23-2003 at 05:29 PM..

12-16-2003, 08:36 AM	#12 (permalink)
glytch I am not permanent. Location: Tennessee	For future reference, the "white over the text thing" is actually a tag that you can use. What you do is type [ spoiler] Your message here. [/ spoiler] (but don't use the spaces in the tags.) Spoiler: Now you know how to use the spoiler tag, the end. __________________ If you're flammable and have legs, you are never blocking a fire exit. - Mitch Hedberg Last edited by glytch; 12-16-2003 at 08:38 AM..

12-15-2003, 10:00 AM	#2 (permalink)
glitter_kiss Upright	if i remeber correctly the reason the american version didnt have the extra chapter is because burgess(sp) didnt want it, it was placed in the uk vers to try to please the censors over there

12-15-2003, 10:56 AM	#5 (permalink)
Fremen With a mustache, the cool factor would be too much Location: left side of my couch, East Texas	Good film but a little over my head. Makes me feel all twisted up inside. <img src=http://img1.photobucket.com/albums/0903/Fremen/_zzClockO.gif>

12-15-2003, 01:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
Plan9Senior Banned Location: Orange County, California	I never got the impression he would go back to his old ways. /shrug

12-15-2003, 01:33 PM	#9 (permalink)
sadatx Psycho	I'm just getting white bars where the spoiler should be. Can someone post a link?

12-20-2003, 08:47 PM	#15 (permalink)
Hrothgar He's My Girl Location: The Champagne Douche	I read the book with the 21st chapter added so I was already privy to this knowledge. __________________ The fortunes of war favored Hrothgar.

12-20-2003, 10:43 PM	#16 (permalink)
more fire Psycho Location: London	the last chapter was edited out of some american versions because they had to pay more for paper once the book went over a set amount of pages, e.g. 150, so the last chapter was cut to make the book cheaper to produce also I don't think kubrik realised at the time that he was working from an abriged text.