With so many styles incorporated, it's no wonder that the film has no style, nor does it have anything that might pass for aesthetic structure. The bits and pieces are choppily assembled, with clumsily overlapped dialogue serving as makeshift bridges.

| Nov 17, 2020

The film's numerous flashbacks make heavy weather of the essentially simple story, but they fail to spoil its honesty and sardonic humor. Sir Michael Redgrave portrays, without any taint of caricature, a hearty reform school governor...

| Oct 7, 2019

Not bad: it has realism, pathos, an interesting performance by a new young actor (Tom Courtenay, who is no Albert Finney but will do) and a cinematic liveliness rare in British films about working-class life.

| Aug 2, 2019

Richardson, the producer and director, makes his point clearly enough, but at quite a price: bias trailing off into parody, forcefulness impaired by stylistic inconsistency, a dispiriting familiarity of approach.

| Feb 6, 2018

Ultimately, Richardson's pot-shots at consumerism and class have lost some urgency, but the nihilistic, punky buzz packs an immortal wallop. Classic.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Aug 4, 2008

One of the best of the British 'Angry Young Man films.'

| Original Score: 4/4 | Aug 4, 2008

The performance of Tom Courtenay and the imaginative, if sometimes overfussy, direction of Tony Richardson, plus some standout lensing by Walter Lassally makes this a worthwhile pic.

| Aug 4, 2008

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 29, 2007

An iconic representation of a time, less so now.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Feb 28, 2007

Splendidly directed by Tony Richardson (just before Tom Jones), this highlight of the working-class British cinema (aka "Young Angry Men" films) features a stunning debut performance by Tom Courtenay that put him at the forefornt of British actors.

| Original Score: A | Feb 14, 2007

Most of the period hallmarks of the British New Wave are paraded here.

| Jun 24, 2006

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Feb 20, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | May 14, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5 | Apr 1, 2004

A landmark in British cinema, which not only launched Courtenay's career, but also continued the trend of assertively incorporating contemporary social issues into film drama.

| Feb 10, 2004

While this show of compassion may not sit comfortably with those who distrust social agitation and too easy sympathy, it must be said that a splendid presentation is made by Mr. Richardson.

| Original Score: 3/5 | May 20, 2003

If anything contributes to its lasting influence, it's not all this lefty stuff, rather the brilliant performance by Tom Courtenay.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Apr 14, 2003

It's provocative and enjoyable, but not a classic.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 30, 2003

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5 | Mar 3, 2003

The counter-Hollywood bloody-mindedness packs a knockout punch.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Nov 19, 2002