In association with

Kes [1969]
from MGM Entertainment
starring David Bradley, Brian Glover, Freddie Fletcher, Lynne Perrie, Colin Welland
directed by Ken Loach

Features:

• Dubbed
• PAL
• Widescreen

Editorial 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

Customer Reviews:

• Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0

• 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 make you both laugh and cry.
  Lynne Perrie who later went on to play Ivy Tilsley in Coronation Street, deserves recognition as a fantastic actress, I loved her in "Corrie", "Queenie's Castle", "Follyfoot", "Leeds United" and of course, her infamous appearances on "The Word" and "Shooting Stars". But perhaps her best work is... more info

• 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.
  It is fantastic, as it sums up my school days only too well, I think most people can relate to this film, with fond memories of all that went on in the classroom, and on the football pitch (that bloomin games teacher) played by the late Brian Glover.(brilliant character)
  Has to be director Kenneth Loaches best ever film, fantastic!
  I can... more info

• Will always be a British Classic
  You can probably overwatch this film and get bored with it over the years, but you will still have a soft spot for it and many will always have it in their top ten. And why not! It is just so well crafted for a small budget film based on a modest novel. It has inspired many film makers since, and if it were made today, it would clean up at the BAFTAS. Everyone has their favourite scene or performance from this film, mine has to be teacher Colin Welland's intervention in the playground bullying-that was pure... more info

• Beautiful, Unpretentious and Naturalistic
  This is a beautiful little film about a young man at high school called Billy, who faces a grim future which was faced by his father and his father before him: working in the pits. Set against a backdrop of gritty northern locations, humour and unpretentious dialogue, the young man's befriending of a Kestrel (Kes) is sweet and captivating, whilst the dialogue is always witty and down to earth. Lynne Perrie, who famously played Ivy in Coronation Street, also makes an appearance as Billy's mother.more info

Similar Products:

More from Amazon