Rating: Five star

A Clockwork Orange, directed by Stanley Kubrick, was greeted with cries of disgust when first released in 1971. Thirty years later, it has not lost its power to shock.

Alex (Malcolm McDowell) and his gang of droogs roam the streets looking to commit a bit of the old ultra-violence, steal and rape.

But the plot of this story is not only about violence or disaffected youth, but one of people having the right to choose.

Alex is sent to prison and government scientists brainwash him to feel sick every time he sees violence or rape or tries to commit them.

The prison chaplain is horrified when he sees the government's handiwork, noting that although Alex has ceased to be a wrong-doer, he has also ceased to be one capable of making a moral choice.

After a suicide attempt, the scientists are forced to return Alex's brain to its original state.

This was absolutely superb, and McDowell's performance is breathtaking. For people who can see past some of the quite horrific scenes, the underlying moral issue is disturbing and utterly thought-provoking.

HC