A CLOCKWORK ORANGE - analysis of hidden abuse themes - by Rob Ager

[MacMcReady]

RE: EU flag

"Ode to Joy" is the anthem music of the EU!

[blackbtty123]

Alex's father barely speaks to Alex during the movie. Alex's mother is a pushover. She doesn't stand her ground on any issue. The parental relationship is neglectful at best. As I said, parental abuse can't be ruled out. The mother acts the way many battered wives act so I can see physical abuse happening there. So, possible parental sexual abuse and almost certain molestation by Deltoid.

[blackbtty123]

Maybe what I'm trying to get at is thatparental abuse is certainly a possibility, but it could just be neglect. Perhaps Alex was abused by somebody else (an uncle or family friend) and became a problem child because of that. The parents called on Mr. Deltoid to get help for Alex or Deltoid was assigned to Alex's case by the government after getting in trouble with the law as a juvenileand Deltoid takes advantage of his position to molest Alex.

[blackbtty123]

I can see where parental sexual abuse comes in to play. What isn't mentioned is that Deltoid himself may be involved in. abuse as well. There's obviously a history between Alex and Mr. Deltoid previous to the story. The overtly sexual way in which Deltoid touches Alex (even before the crotch grab) suggests Deltoid has fine this to Alex before. If he's treating Alex like this, he's certainly doing this to other children.

[GrahamAlpha]

For me, the false teeth in the glass are an archetype representing the 'average working class life'. When the social worker asks 'what is wrong with you?', he gets his answer, lol. It's very cool actualy, the social conditioning and subsequent repression of Alex's natural desire's are the problem. While also causing a lack of understanding or acceptance which compound the problem further.

[GrahamAlpha]

I realy enjoy your videos and I would like to see your latest film. Keep up the good work man, it is greatly appreciated. Thanks

[WormYourHonor64]

Is the bust of Beethoven?

[MidoriMegamii]

4 People have been conditioned to believe that society is A-ok the way it is!

[superiggs1]

You may have just saved my English A Level coursework! Thankyou very much

[forrestcrow]

A terrible analysis. Creative thinkers do not think in the way you do. Burgess and Kubrick would laugh off this analysis. A Clockwork Orange is a dark comedy about the violent nature of humanity, the question of whether or not a person can be good if they cannot commit evil and the relationship between the individual and authority. It is not about the pseudo-psychological mumbo jumbo stated here.

[robag88]

@forrestcrow Are you a moron? I am a creative thinker. I've written produced directed and edited three half hour shorts and a feature and I used to be a graphic artist. I know that some artists, including myself, do work on these kinds of complex levels. The video provides plenty of background production info and comparisons with the book, as well as study of the detailed direction in the film itself, to establish the point ... hence the ratings.

[forrestcrow]

@robag88 I'd bet my last dollar that Kubrick did not mean to allude to child abuse at the hands of Alex's parents. It seems abundantly clear that Alex's parents are not abusive but willfully ignorant (the father) and oblivious (the mother). As well, due to their timid nature, incapable of disciplining him. Quite a different direction. I'm sorry, but a lot of the logic behind this analysis is akin to the symbol seeking logic of typical conspiracy theories: finding patterns where there are none.

[robag88]

@forrestcrow You'd lose that dollar because you wouldn't be able to explain why Kubrick took a non-sexual scene in the book, transferred it into the bedroom and had the guy physically fondle Alex and grab his genitals on his own parents' bed. You are aware aren't you that film makers use subliminals - Hitchcock, Lynch, Cronenberg etc? Kubrick often altered the meanings of novels when translating them into film. And no, "conspiracy theory" accusations don't support your position.

[hexwarp]

@robag88 yes, I believe the word you are looking for is a concept called "Mise En Scene". You're analysis has been very interesting.

[preston9019]

@forrestcrow You are a stupid mother fucker. Have you even seen the movie?

[midnightsandwich69]

terribly interesting...you added a lot of interesting levels of understanding for me.

[Righton2000]

Dear Rob, you fucking rule. Do more movies.

[StanleyKu]

Very well done! Certainly more impressive than the guy who thinks he's seeing "subliminal bears" in The Shining.

[robag88]

@StanleyKu Guys like that make it that little harder for the serious SK researchers :)

[StanleyKu]

@robag88 I agree. I know Kubrick has reoccurring themes in his movies but "bears"? And the length he goes to find the bear shapes is ridiculous. And if you question what is going on in his videos he rips you for being stupid. But your analysis is on a whole other level! And a sane one.

[miajia10]

Good job mate!!!!

[marigoldpunkrock93]

Very nice



[cha5]

Very impressive, I really think you could do an outstanding job of DVD commentary if Warner Bros ever decided to re-release A Clockwork Orange on Blu-Ray with an extra commentary track. DVD commentarys are something of a hobby of mine and you've really got a gift for it IMHO.

[whatismyname5151]

Rob, I really love your analysis. They're always incredibly insightful, you're excellent at uncovering elements to films that I could never detect on my own. But, why do you have to remove your videos when you put them on your dvd??? That annoys me so much! I would be much more prone to purchase from you if you still kept your content online (and just added dvd-only extras if you need dvd incentives). You shouldn't take away from your fanbase in pursuit of money.

[robag88]

@whatismyname5151 Thanks for the positives, but I find the rest of your statement disrespectful. Saying you won't buy my DVDs because I don't keep my material available for free is nonsense. Most people only pay when they can't freeload ... and I have to clothe and feed myself just like you Those who've had the decency to dip in their pockets after many hours of free viewing are the ones who've kept this channel and my site going. Be thankful the removed videos were there at all.

[whatismyname5151]

@robag88 (1/2) I think you misunderstand my comment. I didn't say I wouldn't purchase, I meant that I would be more prone to do so if you didn't remove content that you at one point had posted. After all, it's that content that brought me to you in the first place. I think you're alienating people by removing it, as well as walling future potential customers. Building a strong fanbase by keeping your already content up, in my opinion, would actually increase sales; people will want to support

[whatismyname5151]

@robag88 (2/2) you out of loyalty, as well as to see more analysis. DVD exclusives, as opposed to old removed content, are an added incentive to buy, as well as loyalty support. I am not being disrespectful, as I said I highly enjoy and respect your work. I don't think this makes me a 'freeloader,' however. Look at the Angry Video Game Nerds model. He doesn't remove videos, adds extras to his DVDs, and makes sales for the very reasons I articulated.

[robag88]

@whatismyname5151 My sales, site traffic and subscribers have been fast increasing for months, hence I'm now doing this full time. Since Aug I've posted 9 free new vids + reposted an older one, but I've only removed Mulholland Drive. so the numer of free vids is still increasing. My new DVD set has 60 mins of content currently available on here, 50 mins of ex-YT content (mulholland) and 90 mins of new content. I think that beats the extras model because you're getting whole new videos.

[robag88]

@whatismyname5151 I don't mean to diss the feedback you've given, but I can honestly say I disagree on the topic of removing videos. I'm happy with the model I have and judging by the sales and lack of complaints most of the fanbase are too.

[whatismyname5151]

@robag88 Fair enough, then. I'm glad it's working for you. That was just my opinion. I didn't know you had gone full time. Good luck!

[Reinos18]

@robag88 Why don't you put them on bliptv where you can leave them up and still make money off them? Unlike youtube bliptv encourages film analysis videos and will let you earn revenue from them.

[robag88]

@Reinos18 Selling on DVD is working fine. It also means if I ever close the site and my video channels those who purchased still own copies of the vids.

[tylerf13ful]

how old is he supposed to be in the movie....in the book he's 15...

[theomen84]

Malcolm Mcdowell and film historian Nick Redman mention it on the commentary track.

[theomen84]

Kubrick actually changed the cat lady to a younger, stronger woman because he felt if Alex murdered a helpless old woman the audience would be completely unsympathetic of him later in the film.

[robag88]

@theomen84 What's the source for that?

[skullcrusher301]

@robag88 The commentary on the DVD

[robag88]

@skullcrusher301 Who exactly? Kubrick didn't do commentaries. He's also renowned for not sharing his true intentions with his collaborators. For example, Macdowell has described that on a visit to Kubrick's house several items on the walls were covered with towels. When he snuck a peak he found portions of Kubrick's cross-referencing system.

[skullcrusher301]

@robag88 I believe it was one of his producers for this movie

[robag88]

@skullcrusher301 Kubrick was the producer. Googling, the only commentary track that seems to be out there is one by Malcolm Macdowell, who played Alex, and film historian Nick Redman. Redman had no direct connection to the production. Macdowell has lots of info about the production, but as I mentioned Kubrick kept things even from him.

[TheSethman95]

I only have one thing that I am confused about with this movie....the soundtrack to 2001: A Space Odyssey being in one of the racks in the record store...... Snake, you've created a time paradox!

[oldorchard1000]

i think that the whole point of the film this that everyone has a dark side to them, because after Alex goes through that treat meant everyone gets revenge on him including his parents who throw him out, oh by the way when is this supposed to be set in, i remember a poster saying that it was 1995.

[MrBillcale]

what a bunch of pablum puking crap

[robag88]

@MrBillcale Are you blind or plain stupid?

[MrBillcale]

@robag88 must i ask you the very same question?

[robag88]

@MrBillcale You could but it wouldn't support your previous comment in any way. The video backs up my interpretation with detailed evidence from the book and film. It's up to you to provide a convincing alternative take on it instead of delivering a spiteful rant that doesn't even qualify as an argument. At the very least you could go through the video and point out the precise factual errors and your sources that disprove them.

[MrBillcale]

@robag88 liverpool typical left wing british turd..you are why britian is finished a whiney soft left psuedo inteleectual parasite that knows nothing of the real world..its fiction you idiot how old are you? people like you are why britian collapsed in 1979 you blame all your problems on the rich or on americans or an capitalism when the real problem is you wont get off your ass and do a decent days labour, your so full of warm beer and chips youd rather steal than work, look when i was young i

[robag88]

@MrBillcale Lol. You've already sabotaged your argument right there by trying to attack my character, which as you know deep down is a compensation for your lack of an argument that will follow. You obviously are a person who assumes based on idiotic personal prejudice rather than studying, thinking and learning before shooting your mouth. "Left wing" you call me? I hate the Labour party in Britain and the only party I've ever been a member of is UKIP - they're not "left" are they?

[MrBillcale]

@robag88 i blamed all my problems on my parents on society on ronald reagan when the real problem was i was spoiled and felt entitled, thank god for margret thatcher is all i have to say the problme with thte world i grew up in was we were taught NOT to accept respsibility for our actions it was someone elses fault and i watched the world go to heel around me, in the old days we had fdr and the new deal and people did help each other but some how your genration got the idea everything had to be

[robag88]

@MrBillcale What the hell are you talking about? I asked you to provide your argument against the video content and you're reeling off about your personal life.

[MrBillcale]

handed to you and if you went bad it was societies fault no it isnt you are fre eto choose as the preacher says in the movie we are all free to choose between good and evil i was abused as a small child i never raped or stole or murdered youve been sold a load of rubish mate all that socialist left stuff was flushed down the tiolet of history why do you keep puking it up even new labour realized it was bollacks

[robag88]

@MrBillcale Ah, so it's not that I've misinterpreted the film, it's that you disagree with Kubrick's position. You think I'm trying to admonish all society's criminals of guilt and responsibility. Yes people are to be held responsible for their actions, but society has a responsibility also to look at it's guilty role in nurturing criminals. I've worked in probation and mental health for 15 years and worked with criminals directly. i've read the casefiles and talked with criminals directly.

[robag88]

@robag88 You, on the other hand, believe your idiotic flip (from blaming everyone else for his personal problems to blaming everyone else for their own problems) overrides all research proving that social conditions are the major factor in criminality. You claim to be responsible, yet here you are spewing hate about a guy you've never met because he posted a video you disagree with. And your belief in the ridiculous left / right political model lowers your credibility even further. BLOCKED !!!

[MrBillcale]

@robag88 then you know this blame society crap is bolacks burgess wife was raped by awol american soldiers i beleivei feel no need to defend them because they were american i hope you hung them the only problem i have with justice is that so often the guilty go fre and innocent people get convicted or suffer. i think its why american seem so irational about guns, certianly rational people realize it makes our society a shooting gallery but people hate to feel powerless,

[virtualanonymity]

@MrBillcale yeah, so the interesting thing about that is that it doesn't particularly sit well with what burgess wrote. at the very end of the 21st chapter, the part that's not included in the film, alex basically attributes his crimes to being programmed from youth. and he states that he expects his own son to do the same.

[FilmsFromACynic]

I'm wondering if that the implied violence in Alex's past would have been a bit more obvious. I kind of felt that Alex's parents weren't abusive towards him- just stupid and neglectful. There's sexual imagery everywhere Alex goes, as well as violence and other things. I kind of imaged that it was his environment that made Alex who he is, not so much the physical acts of his parents.

But then again- that's just me.

[robag88]

@FilmsFromACynic It's a combo of parental abuse, political abuse and social influence. As the caption at the start of the video explains, this video is just part of a larger article about the film on my website. That article explores the things you mentioned and much more :)

[robaquarian]

rob did you know its not just false teeth painting that appears when he hits her, there another painting of breast feeding.

[robag88]

@robaquarian I saw that painting but hadn't made the connection to breast feeding. I thought it was another sex act picture lol.

[misterBasto]

Not a Nolan fan? Check out insomnia, great movie.

[Greendayfreak7]

Very interesting. I appreciate you taking the time to do something like this. I enjoyed it!

[seth5220]

@zheys01 I think Rob cab go so far as to do a video about The Dark Knight and Batman Begins along with Inception

[robag88]

@seth5220 Not a Nolan fan I'm afraid.

[MrByronDunbar]

@robag88 You don't know how happy I am to hear that.

[seth5220]

I think that's a pretty good interpretation when you really look at it again. Alex is in the doorway like a child and maybe he's going back to the horrible abuse he suffered as child and he's about to reverse it all on his parents and the adults around him

[EcologicalFighter]

Hey Rob, here's a quick little thought; in the bedroom scene with Deltoid, Alex presents himself in the doorway like a child. Perhaps this is Kubrick nodding at his father playing a part in his sexual abuse as a young boy.

[Robdrummer93]

Hi Rob, I was wondering if you have ever considered reviewing or analysing any Charlie Kaufman films, particularly the monumental Synecdoche, New York. There are some pretty interesting things on psychology and philosophy in Kaufman's films, he seems to indulge in the functioning of the mind a great deal and his films are quirkier than Rizzo the Rat doing a tap dance.

[robag88]

@Robdrummer93 Sounds great. I'll have to check out his films.

[peybak]

i think i am hooked on your videos. I noticed this difference between the book and the movie's portrayal of Mr Deltoid as well but had never thought about it deeply. I dismissed it as comical. This is really deeply clever...

'

[yassau]

Fuck man!!! You are incredible!

The position of the dolls and Alex on his parents bed is fantastic. And the fight with the lady too!

Shit man! How many times did you see the movie???

[robag88]

@yassau It took months to do a full break down of the film - the full article is on my website and is about 23 chapters long.

[BlowDeBloodyDoorsOff]

Thanks once again rob for another brilliant anlysis. How insightful Kubrick was. Only now are people beginning to see the way we are all conditioned through the media, politics, religion. By the way, someone mentioned Inception, what do you think of the idea that that film is '81/2' lite?It is a metaphorical telling of how Nolan's creative process makes a film from an idea in his head. I like that idea myself.

[robag88]

@BlowDeBloodyDoorsOff

I've watched Inception once and enjoyed it. It could be worth a review, but on initial viewing I thought it was self-explanatory.

[zhayes01]

Con you do a review of inception

[robag88]

@zhayes01 I liked Inception, but thought it was mostly self-explanatory. Not sure I could find anything in there that's not already being talked about by other reviewers.

[canecorsomob]

@robag88 and what happened to the mad max anaylysis ? Looks like youtube has a vendetta against you.

[robag88]

@canecorsomob I removed it myself. some are only available on my DVD sets so I can fund myself in making the vids :)

[elementx16]

@robag88 where I can buy your DVD?

[robag88]

@elementx16 They're on ebay. Or go to the DVD products section of my website - see video description for site link.

[canecorsomob]

@robag88 is this the final curtain for the clockwork orange analysis ? And what ever happened to the exorcist analysis ?

[robag88]

@canecorsomob It's a video supplement (as opening caption explains) for the 20+ chapter text analysis on my site, which has enough content to fill another two hours worth of video. If you check on my site you'll find a list of film analysis that are only available on my DVD sets, inc Exorcist.

[ElstonGunnn69]

Brilliant analysis Rob! I've enjoyed immensely much of your other reviews and am a great fan of your website. I remember thinking, "oh God, this is going to be some absurd over analysis!" but I was really surprised. You pointed out simple things that I cannot believe I never noticed, and touched upon some pretty shocking and profound ideas. I really appreciate you doing this, because it's instructive of how subtle and stimulating films can be.

[zackhanscom]

might want to increase the volume. could barely hear you on full.

[robag88]

@zackhanscom Youtube automatically converts video uploads to flv, sometimes it alters the volume. When editing I matched the narration volume to that of the film. Louder speakers perhaps?

[Fistwagon]

I am a complete Kubrick fanboy and I've seen several of his films more times than I can count, yet, in your videos studying his films I always learn something new that completely blows my mind. Thank you! These videos further confirm to me what an absolute master Kubrick was. Barry Lyndon is a bit overlooked compared to the others, any plans on tackling it?

[robag88]

@Fistwagon Yes, I plan to cover all of Kubrick's film eventually, though the next one will probably be Dr Strangleove or A.I.

[z8it]

@robag88 Rob, given what is known about Paperclip and Mengele's experiments on children and the reality of the institutional and formulaic implementation of the Nazi's final solution, I personally can't dismiss the plausibility these monarch theories without further research.

For Me wikipedia doesn't suffice.

The question of the ultimate effectiveness of the Ludovico technique is a debate worth having . And I agree with you and SK.

But, that doesn't mean it wouldn't be attempted.

[robag88]

@z8it Hi I removed the above comment from my channel page as its not necessary to repeat the posting. I'm not saying you should dismiss the possibility, merely that you postpone belief while the evidence is inconclusive and contradicted by other info. If you want to discuss further feel free to email or message me as the boards and comments sections here are too limited to facilitate any in depth discussion and I prefer them not to be dominated by topics not relevant to the videos. Thanks:)

[z8it]

@robag88 Sorry Rob, I couldn't post that yesterday so the double post was just me trying to get it seen.

It's interesting that because of this discussion I've be on a bit search for documentation and I'm finding quite a bit from the BBC and other sources on YT: THE BELGIAN X FILES, THE Mc MARTIN PRESCHOOL CASE, CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE etc.

But actually I'd like to get back to discussing the art of these brilliant filmmakers as well ; So for the time I'll dispense with this line of inquiry.

[TheNinjaJeremy]

Mr. Ager, please review "No country for old men" soon! I have been eagerly waiting for the new article or vid.

Great Clockwork Orange video!

[z8it]

I believe that the distinction of subject / object as an element ACO and EWS and SHUTTER IS LAND is worth considering right down to the opening credits of the latter. I have already commented on the probable homage to SK in the title , SHUTter I (EYE)land; but it is reinforced by the title appearing as if thru sleepy half shut eyes of the audience. WE are all the subjects thru the media of a massive post war MK experiment from the fluoride in our "toothpaste" to dominant mass media.

[z8it]

But it is emerging as the internet develops; which is encouraging and demands a great deal of discernment.

I screened SHUTTER ISLAND again last night, a film which deals directly with themes like; water as the subconscious, Nazis, Papererclip, MK, etc.

Scorsese inserted references to Socrates ("know thy self") and Plato's allegory of the cave, as well; as common supposed Monarch triggers like Wizard of Oz ,Ruby slippers, "Kansas", and the alienation of the SELF of post war America (Bernays).

[z8it]

Rob, thanks for the opportunity to pursue this emerging line of inquiry, - although I don't relish the idea of defending , Icke's shape shifting reptilians and most of the stuff that CT concludes.

I just look for patterns and correlates in art that reflect consensus perception of "reality" in ways that force me to recognize and Re-cognize (rethink) my own experience. That allows for a very broad net.

As for first source material regarding MK Ultra tech it is hard to come by.

[z8it]

"Do sociopaths exist?"

yes.

It would appear that the qualities of sociopathology and psychopathology are highly regarded in Corporate and political power structures.

and it would also seem that these qualities are being massively reinforced thru the media, we are now conditioned to accept and celebrate torture, indiscriminate killing, fraud, lying, cheating... all things that humanity has always condemned.

These are the central themes of ACO .

[robag88]

@z8it I agree that the top level promoters of globalism are fascists who value corruption and are happy to legalise torutr eand so on, but that doens't make the monarch theories any more plausible. Like I said check out my expanded analysis of ACO in my site. It offers details of why the Ludovico technique wouldn't work, including refs to behavioural research that directly Kubrick referenced in the film.

[z8it]

Unstable behavior appears to be part of breaking programming.

what do I know?

I'm merely recognizing patterns and forming a workable hypothesis.

It's funny that every time a subject breaks with their handlers and start talking; they end up dead shortly after. MJ, Tupac, etc. or gone from the public arena: Chappelle , DMX

To suggest that all of these people are delusional seems to require a suspension of belief.

I'm just watching the unfolding.

There was time w S&B , Boheimian grove unheard of

[robag88]

@z8it Tupac and Chapelle broke from their "handlers", what evidence? It doesn't take a suspension of disbelief to say those who claim to have been Monarch subjects are delusional (or lying). There are millions who do and don't believe in God - one of those sets of people are wrong. There are thousands of David Icke fans who believe the world is run by shape shifting lizards, but that doesn't mean it's true. I've met many schizophrenics who claim be Jesus, but they couldn't all be ...

[robag88]

@z8it ... Let me put it to you this way. Independent media activism has broken down a lot of the public opinion control previously imposed by newspapers and TV. The establishment could respond with a Communist / Nazi style suppression, but it would trigger revolution. So their best option is to spread disinfo to scramble the beliefs of dissenters ... eg, lizard races, monarch programs, UFOs, satanic orgies and a possibly staged Bohemian ritual - stuff that scares you and makes you sound nuts ...

[mcamoran]

@robag88 Although I agree with you, that there is disinfo deliberately spread by the "hidden hand" (reptilians,MK-ultra, masons etc) . You have to admit that there are many movies with deliberately embedded symbolism and patterns, mainly created by Hollywood. It is like one of the first principles of propaganda, repetition , which is the mother of learning. Icke talks about masons and Bilderberg group, which are not secret at all, even the people who take part become known to the public.

[robag88]

@z8it ... result - those believing disinfo theories are laughed off as nutters and are too scared to campaign because they think they'll be imprisoned, tortured, killed etc. I've been campaigning on various issues for years and the worst that's happened to me was a failed attempt by a major newspaper to portray me as a pornographer and some ridiculous anonymous smear articles online. Why? Because I got results without appearing crazy. Read my article How To Make Sense Of Conspiracy Theories!

[z8it]

I certainly concede to your experience Rob , but it would appear that the mindless subservient perpetrator is the hollywood part of the equation. the actual goals of the subject ; be they sexual or ego gratifying could easily be effectively served by the programming.

As to the credibility of Ted Gunderson , O'brian, and the rest Monarch promoters I can only point out that more and more people are coming forward testifying ; and asking questions Rosanne Barr, Cythia McKinny, Springmeier etc.

[olemunati]

Great analysis of a great movie!

BTW: Beethoven was extremely abused by his father as a young child. Beaten on a daily basis.

[z8it]

I detect a cognitive dissonance, Please clarify; on the one hand you admit that these violent behaviors exhibited by the Alex character are rooted in abuse in childhood , and then you dismiss the possibility of that being applied in reality; when the documented evidence of MK ULTRA techniques is well established and traces a direct line to the Nazis and Edward Bernays.

The desensitizing of the body politic that SK is referring to in ACO and EWS is unmistakable.

[robag88]

@z8it It's simple. People abused by authrority figures early in life develop abusive impulses tjhen direct it primarily towards authority (or economic class differences). The Monarch theories assume that abuse makes people subservient to authority and that those authority figures can then turn them into split personality assassins etc. Have you read the MKULTRA docs? They contain very little substantive evidence that such techniques work and there's no mention of a Project Monarch.

[z8it]

Rob, your opinion of the effectiveness MK techniques not withstanding, the emerging patterns of official documentation of these techniques is substantial.

The correlation of PROJECT MONARCH and THE FRANKLIN COVER-UP, along with the history of political assassination and the evidence of dissasocitation of the perpetrators of these crimes, ( Manchurian Candidate stuff) certainly compels more research.

[robag88]

@z8it Like I said there's no Monarch documentation or supporting academic study. It's hearsay from people who are either unstable or making money off the theories ... or it's disinfo to confuse/scare political activists.

I agree people in power sometimes collectively abuse prostitutes (sexual bribery) or even children (grooming). I've met abuse victims and convicted members of pedophile rings in my line of work and read their casefiles. They weren't gov agents.

[robag88]

@z8it The problem with a hearsay theory like Monarch is that it's tempting to look at cases of high level pedophile rings and perceive them as Project Monarch agents. Sexual abuse has gone on throughout history at all levels of society, we know that, but when it comes to a theory of abuse being used to create split personality assassins the mass of academic research doesn't support it at all. Bribery and political subversion are the key factors used to pull the strings of political assassins.

[hozayamz]

@robag88 Two sets of teeth- Alex's Mum obviously has two- she wouldn't have gone off to work toothless. Deltoid gestures toward the glass while speaking of Alex's mother- tossing the key. Alcohol is what Deltoid naturally reaches for when thinking about boys. Deltoid and Torrence both drink fantasy booze while bitching about youth. Lloyd assumes "sperm bank upstairs" is just Jack's wife-but it's also Jack's writer's block head, and the split up Danny-Tony head-case abused little kid. Mirrors.

[Nic33rd]

No matter how many times I see ACO, there's always something new to find. Oh, how I adore Kubrick!

[kip151]

I think you are spot on mate!

[jasonsimmee]

Great analysis ;)

[gojaysgorush]

man i love your videos, great interpretations

[POLYMORPHLEGION]

so happy to see a new vid from you!!!

[serialclone]

I've been trying to figure out the significance of the painting of the mouth with the two sets of teeth spliced into the head bludgeoning scene for a while. When you look at the other piece of the painting with the droog doll's arm reaching for a breast hanging on a clothes line, perhaps to imply suckling, your analysis seems pretty spot-on.

Well done, as always.

[robag88]

@serialclone That painting always had me asking questions, but as a kid watching the film I was distracted by laughing at Alex's shenannigans with the erection sculpture lol.

[endeuinable]

Brilliant (as always)

[z8it]

Man! you are good at this!

Bringing the sub- conscious to consciousness is the province of storytelling, to control humanity for good or ill , and the use of shadows on the walls of dark caves (film) is how it has been done since Plato. see: the allegory of the cave

All shaman and emperors know this.

Kubrick and a few other creative directors have subverted this propaganda device to inform the individual SELF.

The highest purpose of ART.

The debate as to how Stanley knew about MONARCH... ?

[LiveFastDiarrhea]

The link between Alex's mother and the picture on the wall is an incredible found, sir. Excellent video!

[ironbrigade6]

right on

[Bassbait]

No mention of his father being played by the same guy who played Delbert Grady? I would consider that rather important to the themes of either film. Just like how Jack Torrance is a father who abuses his child, he is a MIRROR of Delbert Grady, who is a mirror of the unseen Charles Grady, who also abused his children. So Jack and Delbert are both mirrors of Alex's father in that sense.

[robag88]

@Bassbait Yes the abuse themes of Danny / Jack and Alex / father are mirrored. It wasn't really necessary to establish the basic point in this vid, but I def agree.

[Bassbait]

@robag88 Well, trivia always interesting (ok, maybe not ALWAYS), and it would have been good to note some similarities between the two characters that the actor played.

[mcamoran]

Also "Deltoid" ====having the shape of delta , Delta is a Greek letter shaped like a triangle Δ , a reference to the triangle with the masonic eye maybe? Deltoid is a social worker , maybe a representative of the all seeing eye.

[pentelesoikoon]

grrrrrreat!

[mcamoran]

Rob have you considered the fact that the Cat-Lady or Sphinx has to do with the Oedipus tragedy? When Alex leaves the room he gets blinded in front of two Sphinxes, just like Oedipus blinded himself when he realized that he married his mother after having replied the great riddle of the Sphinx at Thebes.

[robag88]

@mcamoran That's interesting.

[mcamoran]

@robag88 It is also very strange, the sign "HOME" that we see when Alex drives the car to the writer's house. Like Oedipus received the warning from the oracle of Delphi not to return to his home (because he would kill his father and marry his mother) and returned to Thebes which he didn't knew it was his real home, we see the hero of the movie doing somehow the same thing. Also I think that Deltoid was referring to the Oedipus complex, which up today is covered with mystery.

[mcamoran]

@robag88 Maybe Alex wasn't abused at all by others, maybe it was this strange "baby" impulse for his mother and the strong tie with her that subconsciously made him violent. This impulse also drives a man who hasn't surpassed the pathological love for the mother, to a subconscious desire for the elimination of the father figure who shares the love with the mother. Very strange the fact that the writer and Alex De Large( the big or the great) have the same name.

[Ashloomis]

Not a fan of the book I take it?

[robag88]

@Ashloomis I'm a big fan of the book, especially for its use of language, but some of the basic assumptions in the book about human behaviour and the possibilities of psychological conditioning are unrealistic.

[Ashloomis]

@robag88 I agree they're unrealistic for most people, but there are people like the Alex of the book in the world so they're not totally unrealistic. Some people really just enjoy hurting others, it's not always because they were abused as children or whateve.r

[robag88]

@Ashloomis I've been working with ex-offenders on and off for years and met people who are as violent as Alex, but I'm yet to find one whose case files didn't reveal some combination of the usual aggrevating factors - parental neglect, poverty, physical or mental abuse, etc. There's no scientific evidence that a person can be genetically inclined toward criminal behaviour. The Ludovico technique wouldn't work either (see ACO article on my site for details). :)

[Ashloomis]

@robag88 That's interesting, but if that's the case how do you account for sociopaths and psychopaths? People who just don't have empathy and if they're so inclinded, capable of hurting others if it benefits them or gives them gratifaction? And surely not every kindergarden bully or happy slapping college student was abused in some way were they? I always interpreted Alex in the book merely as a sociopath who eventually learns to follow the rules of society himself so he can function within it.

[ronniegrey2003]

@Ashloomis The film doesn't follow the narrative of the book. Kubrick didn't even know there was one more chapter until the American print came out.

[Ashloomis]

@ronniegrey2003 I'm aware of that, however, we're not really discussing Kubrick's adaptation of the book at the moment, more whether or not people like Alex in the book actually exist, people who hurt others with no motivation. In Rob's experience they don't, and as someone who's worked with people like Alex, he could be right, but I've met a few people like Alex in my time, and there are many greatly documented cases of such people, so I'm not sure. The question is, do sociopaths exist?

[Stinger503]

Another Rob Ager video?! YES!

[libertydenied]

you should definitively be giving lectures in university!

[TheKisura]

Indeed excellent!

[hafabee]

I like it. I always saw those scenes as evidence of the hypocrisy in the punishers against the punished. They want the same things that they condemn others for having....(we always hate that in others which we hate most in ourselves). But I like your interpretation better, it's true that abuse and inferiority complexes are passed down from generation to generation and the evidence on screen seems to supports that. Nice deconstruction!

[lumpyfishful]

Notice when the lady is flinging the statue at him at 7:13 he has a very childish laugh

[DavidRandallCurtis]

Brilliant! No one can do film deconstruction as well as you!

[mikecop87]

Thanks Again Rob For This FIlm Analysis!

Film Analysis & you are the Main Damn Reason I want to be A better Filmmaker!!!!!

[karinnicefigure]

Keep these coming!

[mikecop87]

Your're back!

[hazardous1990]

great

[Electrorules]

Love these vids Rob :)

[RedUncle]

great stuff

[YourTubeTheme]

Excellent!

[yieldmotherculture]

Really great video Rob!

[PlatinumCashSystem]

Great job, Rob.... glad your back!

[tareqjj]

a bout time

[Schopenhauer7]

Glad you're back!

[maverickfilmmaker]

i'm so glad you've got some new videos up