Scum

"In Borstal, survival rules!"

1979 1h 36m EN

👍

7.1

SOLID

★7.1TMDB · 225

DramaCrime

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Carlin is a new reform school inmate with a reputation as a hard case. The authorities encourage gang leader Pongo to humble Carlin, but Carlin overtakes Pongo as Daddy of the ward. The guards institute a reign of terror and neglect, with Carlin emerging as an unlikely leader.

“In Borstal, survival rules!”

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Cast

Ray Winstone
Carlin
Mick Ford
Archer
Julian Firth
Davis
John Blundell
Banks
Phil Daniels
Richards
John Judd
Mr. Sands
Philip Jackson
Mr Greaves
Peter Howell
Governor

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Alan Clarke
Writers: Roy Minton
Languages: English
Countries: United Kingdom

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 7

MONEY

Did you know

Shot for just $0.4M — micro-budget by Hollywood standards.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 7

ERA

Did you know

47 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Alan Clarke, shot by Phil Meheux. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Michael Bradsell shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 7

AWARDS

Did you know

Ray Winstone and Mick Ford and Julian Firth carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 7

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "In Borstal, survival rules!".

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 7

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0079871 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Alan Clarke directs. Phil Meheux behind the camera. Michael Bradsell cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United Kingdom. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Shot for just $0.4M — micro-budget by Hollywood standards.
247 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3Directed by Alan Clarke, shot by Phil Meheux. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Editor Michael Bradsell shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
5Ray Winstone and Mick Ford and Julian Firth carry the top of the cast.
6Marketing tagline: "In Borstal, survival rules!".
7IMDB entry: tt0079871 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
8Classified under 13 themes, including "prison", "suicide", "rape", "corruption".
9Released under 13 different titles around the world.