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From Amazon.co.uk
This was only Ken Loach's second cinema feature but it still ranks as one of his finest and most moving films. Billy, a disaffected young lad living on a soulless Barnsley estate, finds a fledgling kestrel and, for the first time in his life, feels his imagination gripped. With infinite patience--and a book on falconry nicked from a local bookstore--he starts to train the bird.
There's no boy-and-his-pet sentimentality here: the relationship between Kes the bird and the puny, taciturn Billy is the kinship, full of wary respect, between two wild creatures, and when Kes for the first time flies free and returns to Billy's wrist, the sense of exhilaration is overwhelming.
Although Loach never rams his message home, it's clear that Billy stands for a whole generation of youngsters whose potential, barring some such chance event, will never be even fractionally realised. Chris Menges' photography brings out all the austere beauty of the Yorkshire locations, and Loach draws believable performances from his largely non-professional cast--especially the 14-year-old David Bradley, stunningly convincing as Billy. And anyone who has ever suffered under a bullying, self-satisfied sports teacher will squirm with recognition at the brilliant cameo from the late Brian Glover. --Philip Kemp
Product Description
Australia released, PAL/Region 2.4 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), German ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), English ( Subtitles ), German ( Subtitles ), Turkish ( Subtitles ), SYNOPSIS: In this 1969 Ken Loach film, a 15-year-old named Billy Casper (played by acting newcomer David Bradley) suffers abuse both at home and at school in Yorkshire, England. At his home in the working-class section of Barnsley, Billy's brother beats him and his family neglects him. At school, most of his teachers ridicule and reject him, especially sadistic Mr. Sugden (Brian Glover. Like other downtrodden children in an outmoded social system favoring the ruling class, Billy appears headed for a menial job with no future. Consequently, he has no motivation and nothing to look forward to, until the day he finds a kestrel -- a European falcon with the ability to hover against strong wind. The bird, a fledgling, is akin to the boy, who must withstand winds of his own. It is not surprising, therefore, that Billy finds meaning in befriending and caring for the baby kestrel. He raises, nurtures, and trains the falcon, whom he calls 'Kes.' Its development gives him hope that he too will one day develop, that he too will gain the skills to fly against the wind. Upon the urging of a sympathetic teacher, Mr. Farthing Colin Welland, Billy even summons the courage to take the falcon to school to educate his unfriendly classmates about falconry. Will Billy eventually rise above the repression and privation of his home life and social life? The answers to these questions appear to lie in the fate of the falcon.
SCREENED/AWARDED AT: BAFTA Awards, ...Kes
SCREENED/AWARDED AT: BAFTA Awards, ...Kes
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
44 of 45 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
Kes tells the remarkable story of Billy Casper and his relationship with a falcon that he finds, nurtures and trains to fly. But before you dimiss this as a kid's flick- the relationship between Billy and Kes acts as a metaphor. Billy gets more respect from the falcon than he does from his school teacher, his peers or his family. Billy is an outcast, a poor lad who is intelligent beyond his years but no-body is willing to give him a chance.
The scenes featuring Billy and the falcon are quite remarkable. Other standout scenes feature the late Brian Glover as a Sport teacher from hell whose bullying tactics send all the lads at the school reeling.
If you have ever wanted to see a film that recaptures your childhood, the humourous moments, the sad moments and the moments when adults treat you as if you are 5 years old when in reality you are 14/15, see Kes.
A British film to be proud of and definitely one to cherish.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
I was brought up in Barnsley, where this film was made, in the 1960's and 1970's. The film is so true to life and accurately depicts the lifestyle of the time. The choice of a boy trying to escape his environment by befriending a bird is heart rending, but totally plausible.
Kes is my favourite film of all time and a testament to the best of British low budget film making.
40 of 42 people found the following review helpful
By bowieclone
Format:DVD
This is my favourite film of all time. It's gritty and earthy, ultimately a very sad film, for sure, and there are some shocking moments, but its social drama is heightened because it is juxta-posed against some of the funniest scenes ever made in British cinema. The games lesson with Brian Glover, doing his best to humiliate his class, is enshrined in folklore - and anyone who's ever experienced a PE lesson in a British school will relate to it. But all the school and home scenes are equally as realistic at least in part due to the improvised nature of much of the dialogue and the fantastic casting. Forget her drunken performance on Shooting Stars, Lynne Perrie is on top form here.
An american blockbuster Kes certainly aint and fans of such a genre might like to like to carry on lining the pockets of Arnie. But anybody with half a brain will surely not fail to be moved by this exceptional film.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kes
Remembered this from years ago as very good, and wanted to see it again. Was not disappointed. Very touching and sad,but true to life then.
Published 9 days ago by jan
5.0 out of 5 stars
study requirement
my daughter needed this for her college course so we were thrilled when it arrived quickly so she could get into her studies
Published 24 days ago by Mrs J Heaton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great film
being searching for this film for some time. It arrived really quick, and it was just as I remembered as a child.
Published 26 days ago by Melanie Hulson
5.0 out of 5 stars
fabulous dvd
Fogotten how good this movie was until watched it again, brought back memories of school days. one to keep and show the kids
Published 1 month ago by Ann Keeley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hard hitting
It is unusual to find a film adaptation that follows a book to the letter. This film will not be to everyone's taste,but it should be watched as social commentery. Read more
Published 1 month ago by rob roughley
3.0 out of 5 stars
KES
This is a very depressing and dispiriting film, unrelenting bad luck and unkindness, I don't know how any kid could survive it and be normal. It is, nevertheless, interesting.
Published 1 month ago by Doreen Langmead
4.0 out of 5 stars
A classic
The film is very faithful to the book: the story of a young boy's bleak existence in a Northern mining town. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Pearly Queen
5.0 out of 5 stars
pure northern brilliance
This film is superb in the way it portrays the grim reality of many young lads working class options up coming of age in a northern town. Read more
Published 2 months ago by ollysmom08
5.0 out of 5 stars
Made in britain
A great quality dvd & arrived in good time, I first saw this film at school at the end of term & 35 years on I still think it is one of the best British films ever made.
Published 2 months ago by Jack The Hat
5.0 out of 5 stars
First rate
Kes is a good way to spend an hour or so being entertained fully, the product came on time and just as described.
Published 2 months ago by G. Garner
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