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Kes [DVD] [1969]
 
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Kes [DVD] [1969]

DVD ~ David Bradley
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
RRP: £15.99
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Customers buy this item with Whistle Down The Wind [DVD] [1961] DVD ~ Alan Bates

Kes [DVD] [1969] + Whistle Down The Wind [DVD] [1961]
Price For Both: £7.96

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Kes [DVD] [1969]
95% buy the item featured on this page:
Kes [DVD] [1969] 4.7 out of 5 stars (26)
£4.98
Whistle Down The Wind [DVD] [1961]
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Product details

  • Actors: David Bradley, Brian Glover, Freddie Fletcher, Lynne Perrie, Colin Welland
  • Directors: Ken Loach
  • Writers: Ken Loach, Tony Garnett, Barry Hines
  • Producers: Tony Garnett
  • Format: Dubbed, PAL, Widescreen
  • Language English
  • Subtitles: Turkish
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: PG
  • Studio: MGM Entertainment
  • DVD Release Date: 20 Jan 2003
  • Run Time: 106 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00007DWR1
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 954 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

    Popular in this category:

    #17 in  DVD > Classics > Drama

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Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review

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



Special Features

Original theatrical trailer
Interactive menu screens and chapter selections
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Customer Reviews

26 Reviews
5 star:
 (22)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (26 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Best of British, 26 Oct 2003
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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29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Kes is one of Ken Loach's finest films, 9 Aug 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: Kes [VHS] [1969] (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.

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36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic, touching British film., 30 May 2004
By R. Britain "richardbrit" (Thailand) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   
This is possible my favourite film of all time. The characters and story are so real, it is almost like a fly on the wall documentary. The child actors are fantastic. For a long time I was confused as to wether they were actors or children in an actualy school. The boy that takes the part of Billy Casper is brilliant and I often wonder if he was actually acting or if he was playing himself, and I often wonder what happened to him. The adults are equaly well suited to each role, with Brian Glovers PE teacher being the most memorable.
The story is a sad one that I'm sure has happened thousands of times throughout the land. The story of a young boy from a broken home, that the education system has failed and passed by. The interaction with big brother 'Judd,'and the cruel school children is brilliantly played out. Every aspect of the film is just perfect.
When you consider the budget and hype put into such modern film as The Lord of The Rings etc there is just no comparison. Give me Kes any day.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Poor Lad
I really felt sorry for Billy Casper after his brother killed the kestrel. The characters are lifelike, and the actors well cast. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. Peter Fox

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun for all the family
Celebrated socialist filmmaker worked with Barry Hines in adapting the latter's GCSE English set text "A Kestrel for a Knave" into his second cinematic feature following "Poor... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mutt

5.0 out of 5 stars HOMEWORK PREPARATION
I think that the film "Kes" is a great accompliment to the book "A Kestrel For A Knave" by Barry Hines. Read more
Published 3 months ago by B. Simpson

2.0 out of 5 stars Sorry everyone
I thought these reviews could do with some balance. I didn't like it. It is such a heart crushingly depressing film about how horrible it was to live up north in 60's/70's. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Louis Mazzini

5.0 out of 5 stars Memories
Was so good to watch this film again after so many years after its release, very funny but at the same time moving
Published 6 months ago by David Tinkler

5.0 out of 5 stars Reality TV - but in a good way
Barry Hines' brilliant novel of unconditional love, poverty and betrayal, makes a superb film; director Ken Loach demonstrates his trademark earthy, no punches pulled style, and... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Barney McGrew

5.0 out of 5 stars Kes DVD
One of my favorite British films of all time. The movie is based upon Barry Hines, classic 1968 novel `A Kestrel for a Knave'. Read more
Published 7 months ago by D. Sivyer

5.0 out of 5 stars Kes soars sky high
An absolutely brilliant film. True northern down to earth family life. A thoroughly entertaining and moving film about a young boy and his kestrel. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Film Watcher

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!
I first saw this beautiful and legendary film today and all I can say is, what a gem it really is!
The storyline is wonderful, the acting is truely unbeatable and "Kes" will... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Jake M

5.0 out of 5 stars Schooldays.........
I had to read the book for my school english exams,'A Kestrel For A Knave' by Barry Hines. Thoroughly enjoyed it, and could not wait to see the film. Read more
Published on 17 Oct 2007 by Hickers

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