Rent Scum (1979)

Daddy Issues - Scum review by Steve

Alan Clarke won a reputation as a director of violent, uncompromising television dramas. After his Play for Today original was shelved by the BBC, he and writer Roy Minton created an even more extreme version for cinemas. It is a sensational exposure of the British borstal system. These prisons for boys were actually shut down between the two editions.

A couple of tough offenders fight for the supremacy of their corner of the organisation; to be the 'daddy'. Ray Winstone is formidable as the new kid who takes over the block and there's a strong support cast of UK stalwarts. Mick Ford also makes a deep impression in a difficult role as a more thoughtful iconoclast who articulates most of the editorial content.

The borstal socialises the kids to conform with the prevailing culture; but the values they assimilate, are utterly insane. No one survives. The institution and the sentences are incidental to the true savagery of the experience; the prisoners brutalise each other. The rape and subsequent suicide of one of the more vulnerable boys is incredibly harrowing.

Though the reality was quite probably worse, certainly in regards to sexual abuse. The low budget actually enhances the feel of chilly brutality; all is grim, and hostile, and malign. And yet the episodic story is absolutely spellbinding, even before the shocking climax. This landmark cult classic is the best prison drama ever made in the UK... Maybe any country.

Young winston - Scum review by PT

This is the film that guaranteed Ray Winston the stardom he now has. Winston plays young offender Carling who wants to do his bird keeping his head down. The Daddy of the joint will not let Carling do his time hassle free though, which prompts Carling to take another path to survive the violent regime.

A harrowing portrayal of borstal life and a great performance from the young Winston. If you've been living on Mars, or you're too young to have seen it when it was first released, I would definitely recommend it.

Tough, Uncomfortable British Prison Drama - Scum review by GI

Alan Clarke's uncompromising portrayal of life in Britain's youth prisons remains powerful, disturbing and controversial. There's an interesting history to this film. First made by Clarke in 1977 for the BBC who promptly banned it and it was never aired. Unfazed Clarke immediately set about getting funding and remade the film almost scene by scene (and with some slight changes in cast) for a cinema release in 1979. Incidentally the BBC version wasn't shown for another fifteen years. Ray Winstone stars as Carlin, a convicted criminal sent to a borstal and he comes with a reputation for violence. But Carlin is committed to keeping his head down and staying out of trouble. But the harsh regime is dominated by violence from the prison officers who allow favoured inmates to control the wings for them. Petty punishments and deliberate suppression of free thought are all overseen by a religious Governor and eventually this pushes Carlin back to taking control through extreme violence. This is a tough watch, scenes of rape and suicide are explicit and the racism is very uncomfortable and even the cinema version was banned for release on videocassette in the UK during the 80s. Debate rages today about the authenticity of what is depicted here but Clarke, who made several controversial films attacking UK Government policies and systems, is clearly attempting to highlight the uselessness of a prison system based on punishment alone. A remarkable film and definitely one to check out if you've never seen it and if by some chance you believe that this shows a youth prison system that we should return to I'm afraid you're sorely mistaken.