tomosp1965 I regard this film as the truest and best depiction of life in a British borstal, or indeed prison, of any film ever made about being incarcerated. Most films in this genre over dramatize, or trade the reality of prison life, for a pseudo/stereotypical version. By doing this they pander to peoples idea of what its like and lose the reality.Ray Winstone shows why he became a sought after actor, giving a poignant and honest portrayal of the lead character 'Carlin'. Credit also goes to Phil Daniels who plays 'Striper', (a prison term form slashing someone across the face with a razor). He acts with a menacing grin and believable viciousness.The cast as a whole are excellent, the script is true to life and seems as though it was written by a prisoner, plus the set actually looks like a borstal.This is one of my top 20 films, though it isn't for the faint hearted.10 out of 10

Dalbert Pringle Well? With an attention-grabbing, little title like "Scum", how the hell could one possibly expect to be treated like anything but dirt when it comes to viewing this decidedly nasty (and apparently) realistic look at the reform school system (for young, male offenders) as it stood in Britain in the 1970s? Clearly filmed for its sheer shock-value and its focus on brutal violence, I find it really hard to believe that "Scum" was initially intended to be a 1977 Made-For-TV movie. But, due to its fairly graphic depictions of suicide, male-rape & racism, the prudish BBC flatly refused to allow its release for public broadcasting.And so, Scum was eventually re-shot by its director, Alan Clarke, and it then made its theatrical debut (much to the public's gasps & shock) in 1979.The positive outcome of bringing Scum's brutal story to the immediate attention of the general public was that serious and dramatic changes (for the better) quickly went into effect by making corrections to the dismal conditions that clearly existed at youth detention centers all across the UK.Scum's fist-in-your-face story tells the tale of Carlin, a new reform school inmate who's already earned a fierce reputation as being a very bad-assed bad-boy.The lousy attitude of the authorities in charge at this particular "Borstal" make no attempt to reform or improve matters for the inmates. Instead they actively encourage face-to-face power struggles between new recruits and the "old hands".And here's where Carlin gets repeatedly challenged by Pongo, the toughest, meanest gang leader of the whole miserable lot. What follows in the wake of Pongo's taunts and harassment I'll leave to your imagination.Yes. Scum is most certainly chock full of endless hate, racism & profanity. (And, yes, there's an inevitable "prison riot" thrown in for good measure) And, yes, Scum is most definitely flawed & clichéd like any other film you'd see about life behind bars.But, still, 35 years later (even for the ultimately jaded viewer) it still manages to pack a considerable-sized wallop even if one has "been there/seen that" a thousand times before.

Jackson Booth-Millard I had heard about this British film, not just because of two of the stars that have gone on to have well known careers, but also because this film was previously originally made for television as part of Play for Today (like Abigail's Party), but it was banned due to its controversial material, so I looked forward to this film version. Basically the film is set inside a young offenders institute, and the three new arrivals at the borstal are Carlin (Ray Winstone), who is taking the blame for his brother crime of stealing scrap metal, Angel (Alrick Riley) who was arrested for carjacking, and Davis (Julian Firth) who attempted an escape from another institution. They are all given rooms, Angel and Davis in private rooms, and Carlin, who wants to keep a low profile, is put in the dormitory, he befriends eccentric and intellectual inmate Archer (Mick Ford), and he often runs into the "Daddy" who "runs" the prison Banks (John Blundell), backed up by cohorts, such as Richards (Phil Daniels), he is looking for a fight. Having watched numerous attacks, including on timid and vulnerable Davis Carlin struggles to settle into the dormitory, but it is after an unprovoked attack that he gets his revenge on Banks, with a makeshift bludgeon he beats him and his companions and replaces him as the "Daddy", later also gaining power over other wings. With his reputation and status secured life for the inmates improves, preventing the victimisation and beatings of younger and weaker prisoners, and also racist attacks, he also becomes some kind of ally to the warders, as a "natural leader" he is granted his request for a single cell, and Goodyear (John Grillo) gives him opportunity of real leadership in the borstal. Prisoner Toyne (Herbert Norville) sinks into despair having learnt from his in-laws in a letter that his wife has died, he slashes his wrists, this second suicide attempt is confirmed as his death and word is spread around the prison. Davis meanwhile is framed by Eckersley (Ray Burdis) for stealing and put on report, but things get worse when three youths gang-rape him in a potting shed, warder Sands (John Judd) witnesses it but only smiles, walks away and takes no action, Davis feeling worthless also kills himself by slashing his wrists. During the night Davis was bleeding to death he did press the button to call for help, but warder Greaves (Philip Jackson) ignored the alarm, and mass hysteria spreads in the prison following this suicide, and this comes to a head when the inmates refuse to eat their dinner, and a full scale riot is initiated by Carlin in the hall. Carlin, Archer and Toyne's friend Meakin (Alan Igbon) are seen bleeding and unconscious being dragged into solitary confinement, but when they are let out things settle, and Governor Baildon (Peter Howell) tells how the damage will be repaid, and it ends with the declaration of a prayer and minute's silence for dead prisoners Toyne and Davis. Also starring John Fowler as Woods and Nigel Humphreys as Taylor. Winstone was obviously little known at the time, he gives a great performance the authoritative prisoner who gains respect through violence, other supporting stars like Daniels and Firth do very well also, there is no storyline or plot as such, but the docudrama style and many disturbing moments, especially the vicious fights and of course brutal rape scene are powerful, it is a controversial but most watchable crime drama. Very good!

Amy Brookes With several mixed reviews, it was essential that an open mind was kept. Released over thirty years ago it was expectedly dated. However the raw and poignant messages of the harrowing and hard life in British Borstals for young males were very clear. It is likely that you have heard the expression 'Treat others how you wish to be treated'; this disturbing and violent film shows, that in the 1970's, youth offenders were pushed to behave like scum as they were constantly treated like scum.Directed by Alan Clarke, Co- produced by Clive Parsons and written by Roy Minton in 1977, 'Scum' was originally deemed "too controversial" to be released and was therefore banned by the BBC. It wasn't until Borstals were abolished in 1982 that it was aired on Channel 4 (1983). The film clearly aimed to portray the brutality of life inside a British Borstal. Immediately from the onset; violence and corruption is shown as the warden's target the three new inmates; Carlin, (Ray Winstone), a re- offender with a bad reputation, Davis, (Julian Firth), a timid and scared first offender and Angel; a young black male. Carlin finds himself fighting with 'trainees' and 'screws' to gain ultimate hierarchy power to become 'the daddy'. Becoming the 'top dog' allowed Carlin to take advantage of the black market as he takes a large cut of any incoming money from the other trainees. The wardens bizarrely respect Carlins' leadership qualities as they expect him to keep the other trainees in order; in return he is given privileges such as a single- cell bed and the wardens even overlook his criminal behaviours.Borstals were introduced to Britain in 1902 to prevent young offenders from being influenced by adult offenders; aiming to reduce re-offending. They also aimed to reform young delinquents; focusing on routine, discipline and authority. One character in the film, who is determined 'not to be taken' by the system, is Ben Archer. This character is used to implicitly express the clear weaknesses of Borstals. Archer (Mick Ford) is a middle- class misfit who should have been sent to prison, due to his older age of 24; however he was sent to the Borstal and wanted to complete his sentence quietly yet causing as much trouble for the wardens as possible- being a vegetarian and atheist to infuriate the sternly religious Governor. Archer is extremely intelligent and it wasn't uncommon for some of the 'cons' to be better educated than the 'pigs'. There is a significant scene in which Archer has a conversation with warden Mr Duke. He states 'How can anyone build a character on a regime based on deprivation.. If it's not a con at me it's a screw.. More criminal acts are imposed on the prisoner's than criminals on society..' This was the sad reality. The aims of Borstals completely failed as violence lead to further violence. The film shows no evidence of rehabilitation or reform for these young offenders. Group meetings were held by the (female) Matron as she asks the young males to talk about any problems they might have. But no one wants to be the grass, right? She appears unsympathetic, showing no care or emotion, leading the trainees to feel further frustrated and psychologically strained. This is portrayed when an inmate becomes aware of his wife's death. She doesn't sympathise or offer any support or emotional help; this lead to his disturbing suicide attempt. The film also highlighted that each of the individuals' needs should have been separately cared for, as each individual is different. During the group session, the case of a fourteen-year-old boy is briefly shown. He is being held at Her Majesty's Pleasure for murder. He is socially isolated as he receives no family visitors and is always shown sat on his own. For such a young boy who committed such a serious crime it is most certain he needs to be psychologically treated- not physically punished. Inmates are stripped of their identity; "Matron? Can you not call us by our Christian Names?", and are labelled with a four digit number "You can't remember? That's all you are, a number!" This would have consequently affected their self-identity. Throughout, there is very strong language. Racial attacks; physical and verbal are explicitly shown; wardens isolate the young black males to single cells and racial fights during sports classes are shown- racism seemed to be the norm. Although racism in our current multi- cultural society has reduced through awareness and campaigns, it has by no means been erased. However, violent acts (such as racial or sexual attacks) between offenders; and between prison guards and offenders can be strictly controlled via CCTV. There is a horrifying and shocking scene in which Davis is gang raped by three older inmates whilst being watched by a corrupt, sadistic and callous 'pig'. Such changes allow protection or punishment for the offenders and guards in present prisons/ youth custodies.After being gang raped, Davis expressed he felt "lonely, scared and depressed" to a warden. He was ignored which lead to his poignant suicide. After a rebellious riot lead by Carlin the film ends with the 'screws' and 'cons' giving a minutes silence. Although some of the scenes are raw and cold- hearted, it does what it set out to; educate people of what life was like in Borstals; for both offenders and wardens. This film has been deemed to be significant contribution to abolishing corporal punishment and Borstals in 1982. They were since replaced with 'Youth Custody Centres' which have the necessary facilities and tools in place to successfully reform and rehabilitate youth offenders to their individual needs. Intensive community orders, Youth offending teams, restorative justice programmes and youth referral orders are other options available to suit individual cases and have been shown to have great success.