In this allegorical story, a revolution led by pupil Mick Travis takes place at an old established private school in England.In this allegorical story, a revolution led by pupil Mick Travis takes place at an old established private school in England.In this allegorical story, a revolution led by pupil Mick Travis takes place at an old established private school in England.
- Nominated for 2 BAFTA Awards
- 2 wins & 4 nominations total
Mary MacLeod
- Mrs. Kemp - Staff
- (as Mary Macleod)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaContrary to the story that says some scenes of the film are in black-and-white instead of color because the production company was running short of money and saved money by having some scenes processed in monochrome, according to interviews with Malcolm McDowell, Lindsay Anderson and the cameraman, they first shot the scenes in the school chapel in monochrome because they had to use natural light that came in through the big stained-glass window, requiring high-speed film. The high-speed color stock they tested was very grainy and the constantly-shifting color values due to the angle of the light through the stained glass made it impossible to color-correct, as well. So they decided to shoot those scenes in monochrome, and, when he saw the dailies, Anderson liked the way that it "broke up the surface of the film", and decided to insert other monochrome scenes more or less at random, to help disorient the viewer as the film slipped from realism to fantasy.
- GoofsWhen Mick is standing in front of the Trueform shoe store, the camera and crew members are seen reflected in the windows of a passing bus.
- Quotes
Mick Travis: One man can change the world with a bullet in the right place.
- Crazy creditsThe film's opening prologue states: Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding PROVERBS IV:7
- Alternate versionsIn the USA, the film was originally released uncut, with an X rating. However, a more commercial rating was preferred and the film was reissued with an R rating after scenes of male frontal nudity were removed from the shower scenes.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Horizont (1971)
- SoundtracksSanctus
from the "Missa Luba" (Philips Recording)
Sung by Les Troubadours du Roi Baudouin (uncredited)
Conducted by Fr. Guido Haazen O.F.M (uncredited)
Featured review
If only they had shown this at school!!
Made in 1968, this film still made me shiver even though I started at public school in 1977. Things had changed somewhat by then, but not beyond recognition, and for sure I felt powerful echoes in this movie. By the time I left, the country was steeped in Thatcherism, and the style of self advancement that came with it was replacing the old guard watchers of 'If....' would recognise. The housemaster and headboy were 2 characters I can especially recall, but there are flashes of others in many of the characters.
When you see this film, see it as a historical satire, with first the historical atmosphere of a public school being accurately recreated, then second the satire taking form just in time to administer the purgative judgement of the surreal denouement.
There. Spoken like a public schoolboy.
When you see this film, see it as a historical satire, with first the historical atmosphere of a public school being accurately recreated, then second the satire taking form just in time to administer the purgative judgement of the surreal denouement.
There. Spoken like a public schoolboy.
helpful•153
- iaingmacg
- Dec 4, 2007
- How long is If....?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Runtime1 hour 51 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.66 : 1
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