h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi Swiv,

An excellent read! I always had the feeling that seeing this movie once was quite enough. It is very powerful, a bit like watching 1984 with Richard Burton and John Hurt. Both brilliant movies but in some ways extremely depressing.

[quote]
A major theme throughout the novel is Alex's love of music, most particularly 'Ludwig Van' (Beethoven). However, one of the films he is shown during the Ludovico technique is set to Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and, by the time of his release, the sound of Alex's favourite piece of music occasions the same response in him as physical violence: total nausea.
[endquote]

Indeed, I remember that part vividly. It was one of the first moments of the film where I actually sort of sympathized with Alex... Because otherwise, as you pointed out, he was quite an as*h*le.

[quote]
Malcolm MacDowell's central performance as Alex is probably the greatest of his career, as he creates on screen a character that is both revolting and strangely sympathetic, particularly in his inability to defend himself upon his release from prison.
[endquote]

yes indeed, a great actor and a great part he played. It's a shame that he hasn't played in more famous movies. Or am I wrong? If so, can you name a couple of movies he was in ?

Of course he *is* on that *very* short list of Star-Trek-baddies who actually did a fantastic acting-job. Together with Ricardo Montalban(Kahn) and Alice Kruge(BorgQueen)...

It's small consolation I know, but to Trek-fans that list is revered. After all there haven't been many good 'baddies' on StarTrek...

And without further comparing Clockwork with ST-Generations : In Clockwork Malcolm McDowell played Alex who was not such a simple person as one would think at the beginning of the movie. This aspect was also present in Dr. Soran in Generations. There's more to both characters than meets the eye. The sign of a great actor.


Greetz,

TM.

Thanks TM

(compliments wow! )

I have to admit I've not seen McDowell in anything else, though I'm told he did play a Star Trek baddie....

In Star Trek: Generations he killed off Captain James T. Kirk. How much more of a baddy can you get?

<BB<