A landmark of British realist cinema returns to where it first shocked audiences - SCUM premiered at the Prince Charles Cinema back in 1979, and now it’s back, restored in stunning 4K from 88 Films. Unflinching, savage and still painfully relevant, it screens as part of our Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair season on Tue 17th June at 20:45!
As part of our BLEAK WEEK: CINEMA OF DESPAIR season, we’re proud to present the World Premiere of the brand new 88 Films 4K restoration of SCUM, the unflinching 1979 British classic from director Alan Clarke and writer Roy Minton. A brutal and visceral indictment of the British borstal system, SCUM remains one of the most powerful and uncompromising works in British realist cinema. After the BBC famously banned the original 1977 television version, Clarke and Minton brought their story to the big screen, delivering a no-holds-barred portrait of institutional violence, retribution, and survival that continues to shock audiences to this day. With an unforgettable performance from Ray Winstone, SCUM is both a time capsule and a timeless howl of rage.
Scum has been transferred by Filmfinity into a new 4K D from the original Camera Negative, kindly supplied by Tigon Films and commissioned by 88 Films. Extensive cleanup and grading have been performed and it now looks better than it would have done upon release back in 1979. The film originally premiered at The Prince Charles Cinema to both acclaim and controversy, and quickly became one of our box office successes. In fact, Tim Roth has often credited seeing SCUM at the PCC as the film that made him want to become an actor - reportedly watching it once, then immediately sitting through it three more times back to back! For those interested in our cinema's rich history with this landmark title, check out some of the original promotional materials we’ve dug out further down!
SCUM’s unrelenting power, influence and relevance make it a perfect addition to BLEAK WEEK, our collaboration with the American Cinematheque, which brings together some of the most devastating cinema ever committed to screen. Scum will be released on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD by 88 Films on 18th August.
Don't miss this rare opportunity to see a cornerstone of British cinema in its definitive form and a world premiere of this 4K restoration. TICKETS HERE!
