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Trailer

Scum

1977Movie1 h 18 min

DramaTV Movie
74
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb7.6

A relentlessly bleak, nerve-racking tv movie movie about society and everyday modern life, with standout direction and performances.

Good for thought-provoking · adults · solo watch

Skip it if you need an uplifting mood · graphic violence bothers you

Where to watch

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Not streaming in any country yet.

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Not for warmth, uplift or comfort.

Movies with

Story

Carlin is a new reform school inmate with a reputation as a hard case. The authorities encourage gang leader Pongo to humble Carlin, but Carlin overtakes Pongo as Daddy of the ward. The guards institute a reign of terror and neglect, with Carlin emerging as an unlikely leader.

Feels like

  • Gritty Social Drama
  • Institutional Brutality
  • Youth Incarceration
  • Bleak Realism
  • Powerful Performances
  • Confrontational
  • Systemic Injustice
  • Coming-of-Age Tragedy
  • British Cinema Classic

Cast

12 of 12

Crew

Directed by
Alan Clarke
Written by
Roy Minton
Produced by
Margaret Matheson

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

November 8, 1977 · 1 h 18 min · Violence, Strong Language, Sexual Content, Disturbing Imagery

Released
November 8, 1977
Runtime
1 h 18 min
Content
Violence, Strong Language, Sexual Content, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
TV Movie, Drama, Crime
Original language
English
Made in
United Kingdom

Tropes

Jerk with a Heart of Gold, Nobody Likes a Tattletale, Black-and-Gray Morality +9

  • Jerk with a Heart of Gold
  • Nobody Likes a Tattletale
  • Black-and-Gray Morality
  • Intelligence Equals Isolation
  • No-Holds-Barred Beatdown
  • Driven to Suicide
  • Anti-Hero
  • Prison Rape
  • Obfuscating Insanity
  • Frame-Up
  • Karma Houdini
  • Wardens Are Evil

12 of 49 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

4 questions, like "Is Scum worth watching?"

Questions about Scum

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Is Scum worth watching?

74
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 74 (IMDb 7.6).

Will I feel good after watching Scum?

BleakHopeful

Probably not: the title analysis rates it 10 of 10 for bleakness and 7 for melancholy, against 1 for hopefulness.

Is Scum plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (8 of 10) and pathos (8 of 10) more than on its plot.

What tropes does Scum use?

Jerk with a Heart of GoldNobody Likes a TattletaleBlack-and-Gray MoralityIntelligence Equals IsolationNo-Holds-Barred BeatdownDriven to SuicideAnti-HeroPrison RapeObfuscating InsanityFrame-UpKarma HoudiniWardens Are Eviland 37 more

TV Tropes lists 49 tropes for it, including Jerk with a Heart of Gold, Nobody Likes a Tattletale, and Black-and-Gray Morality.