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Poster for Scum

Scum

Seen it?

1979 | 96 min | Drama, Crime

Saturday Special

Why it’s a Saturday Special

Critics loved it (89% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it's still drawing plenty of interest. A strong pick for the weekend.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for crime-drama fans. If you loved Bronson or The Silence of the Lambs, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Dark and gritty.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 36 min.
What might put you off
  • Made in 1979: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

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.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    89% on Rotten Tomatoes, 78 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.1 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerSolid

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 146K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Alan Clarke

  • Ray WinstoneCarlin
  • Mick FordArcher
  • Julian FirthDavis
  • John BlundellBanks
  • Phil DanielsRichards
  • John JuddMr. Sands
  • Philip JacksonMr Greaves
  • Peter HowellGovernor
  • Bill DeanMr Duke
  • John GrilloMr Goodyear