Mark Kermode reviews Scum (1979) | BFI Player 

I remember going to the cinema in 1979 to see 'Scum' when it first came out - and being totally blown away. It particularly resonated with me because one of my best mates ['Andy'] got sent to borstal for six months for breaking into a chemists. [in fact, my twin brother and I were supposed to meet with 'Andy'' and our other mates - but couldn't make it! We didn't know they were planning to break into a chemists - but it was an incredibly lucky escape!] 'Andy' reminded me a lot of a young Ray Winstone - he was a very strong, powerful kid, as he worked in a butchers and developed his physique humping all the heavy carcasses about. He could really handle himself, and you didn't mess with him. Despite that, he was a sort of 'gentle giant' and would always shy away from trouble if possible. But I remember him telling me when I went to see him after he was sentenced, that he just wanted to do 'his time' quietly and get on with the rest of his life. The problem was that being such a strong, powerful kid, some of the other, more 'hardened' inmates targeted him and gave him a lot of hassle. So as with Winstone's character in the film, 'Andy' went after the 'Big Daddy', grabbed him and literally picked him up, held him against the wall and told him to back off! He never had any more trouble after that.

No punchin' in the face, no kickin' in the goolies, and no biting

I spent three years in youth corrections, and I found that the best way to communicate with people what I experienced was to ask them to watch scum...

Growing up in the 80s Scum was a must see for any boys of that time and kept a lot of them out of trouble!

About 25 years ago I was up late watching TV when channel 4 put this on at about midnight. A masterpiece. Bought the dvd afterwards

I have seen both versions and I was shocked by them. The scene in the greenhouse really disturbed me. The actors did an awesome job.

I watched Scum on VHS in 1983 round a mate's house when I was 17. There was a gang of us and I reckon it was instrumental in stopping many of us from persuing a life of crime...

THERE’S NO DOLLY MIXTURES IN HERE, POOFTER

Mecca, Archer?

Great fucking film. The cast, all the kids and everybody are superb.

Where’s ya tool!?!?

An incredible and deeply disturbing film, one of my favourites.

Classic crime movie and one of my favourite classic British films

Great flim!

Borstal was abolished by the CJA,& rightly so

I've watched both versions many times, it's a hard watch but a true masterpiece as a film (both of them) and recommended, just make sure the kids are in bed

Great film

4737 Carlin sir

Don't go into the greenhouse...

Where's your tool

Where's your tool?

I've grown up with Mark Kermode over-analysing every fucking movie he's ever seen.

If u r treated as an animal you become one

Bullying banks fukn shame

You steal white man's motorcar you get white man's stick.