A Clockwork Orange is a really great example of how ultra-violence in film doesn’t age well. In the past I could watch the events in the rich folks’ home and un

A Clockwork Orange is a really great example of how ultra-violence in film doesn’t age well. In the past I could watch the events in the rich folks’ home and understand the actions the Droogs took were bad, thus they deserved their respective punishments. I felt able to discuss their punishments and whether it was okay for the state to enact violence in response to violent offenders. But now… that scene absolutely horrifies me,- the sheer wanton violence of it is just too much and as such I’ve stopped watching the film entirely. All that has changed in that time, I think, is that I’ve grown older (approx. 20 years). Presumably in that time I’ve better learned about the long term impact of violence. Perhaps I’ve become more empathetic as I’ve matured. Either way, it culminates in no longer being able to recommend A Clockwork Orange as a “must watch”. (I’m being sensitive around potential triggers in my description of the scene).