I didn't know whether to put this in the drama or comedy section - because it could apply to both! I know it's not exactly Southern California, but more like South Yorkshire, UK, but this is a brilliant film made in 1969 by Ken Loach.

When I tell people about it, they always seem to dismiss it as a tale of a boy fascinated with Falconry - but that is a secondary aspect to the whole plot. It charts the life of Billy Casper and his homelife of a bullying older Brother and a couldn't care less Mother. Billy captures a Kestrel and trains it.

But, very poignantly for me - because I went to a school very similar to the one that Casper went to - it portrays the English school system of the 1960's and 70's - bullying teachers, no better served in this film by the late Brian Glover as Sugden - the thuggish sportsmaster - and Grice - a totally psycopathic Headmaster.

If people just think of this film as a boy and his falcon - have
they really seen it.
It is THE most bleakest film I have ever seen. About a boy with no
hope, his bullying (as you say) older brother and unfeeling
mother. I have seen it once and that is more than enough.

Hi (this reply has a spoiler)

Kes is a difficult movie to watch for me. It has a feel that as has been said IS bleak, but fortunately interspersed by excellent observation and some humour. As a Northern working class lad myself, I could identify with Billy Casper and indeed, his school experiences.

I differ with Diane in that although it can be a difficult emotional experience watching this it is a valuable watch and a cinematic treasure. I also believe that Billy's future is not portrayed as hopeless as the hope is symbolised through the Kestrel


<SPOILER>

and the dashing of that hope portrayed in the killing of the kestrel.

I like to believe that Billy has enough sensitivity and knowledge of the world to regain that hope.

The movie has an eastern European feel to me and loads of earthy realism which many may may find vulgar and distasteful. But, that's how it was, honest.

Gavin

Agree with you absolutely Diane. I saw this when it was first released and have avoided watching it again since. A bit unfair maybe considering it was almost 40 years ago and if I viewed it again I may see it in a different light.

Diane, Geoffies - Barnsley is a very bleak place - I know because I've been there - but you really have to see this film as a tragic comedy.

I can identify with the school that Casper went to, because it was almost identical to the one that I went to. The Headmaster, Grice, was a psychopath who only listened to one voice - his own. Take the scene when the kids lined up outside his office and they planted the fags (cigarettes to US viewers) on a little kid who had only come to deliver a message - but none the less he ended up getting caned aswell!

And the football match! That has gone down in folklore in this country! The sight of Sugden, the bullying sportsmaster who sent off a kid for swearing on the grounds that it was a game played by Gentlemen - but HE was anything but!

You really have to view this as a tragic comedy, it brings back painful memories of my own schoolboy days - but it makes me feel that I never suffered alone!

There must be something about English schools, but my school was also pretty much the same. Ironically, many school children in England now study 'Kes,' for their English literature examinations....The book and indeed the film are considered classics, as they represent a way of life, which has now, hopefully, passed. I do not consider the film to be tragic, and agree that the kestrel represents the hope and optimism inside everyone, particularly children in such grim circumstances.

Yes I had to read it at school back in 1985 as part of my English Literature CSE's.. / O Levels.. I enjoyed the film more than the book as I'm better with a visual medium rather than a book... Its a good film....

Some of us had this conversation a while back, and I haven't been on these boards for a good long time now. I know then that there were people whose opinions on cinema I respected who did not like this film.

But to me KES is an outstanding example of British cinema, one of the very best films this country has made. Yes its bleak, but so are many great films. If we love cinema, we are really restricting ourselves if we dismiss classics like this.

Gavin, I like your comparison with Eastern European cinema. That's a very perceptive comment.

Cheers for that Ian

I find Loach does working class issues and realism in away unlike most other UK filmmakers, you sense he has a real empathy with them. Many filmmakers purport to reflect the working classes, even some so called "kitchen sink" dramas, but when viewed closely take a pitying middle class liberal stance.

Anyhow that's my two-penneth!!

Gavin