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Kes
Kes
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Kes

Kes

1969
Drama
1h 51m
Billy Casper comes from the poorest end of town (Barnsley, England), he can't concentrate at school and does very badly... (imdb)

Directed by:

Ken Loach

Screenwriter:

Ken Loach, Barry Hines, Tony Garnett

Starring:

Brian Glover, Freddie Fletcher, Lynne Perrie, Colin Welland, Bob Bowes, Bill Dean, David Bradley, Harry Markham, Bernard Atha, Joey Kaye, Ted Carroll, Geoffrey Banks

Genre:

Drama

Country:

UK

Language:

English
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Kes

1969
Drama
1h 51m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 74.9% from 1130 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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difontaineDifontaine
Rated 05 Mar 2007
78
72nd
About the bleakest ending to a film ever. The perfect antidote to all the feel good plucky underdog rom-com bollocks perpertrated on the British public.
Rated 05 Mar 2007
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 14 Aug 2007
93
98th
Perhaps more than anyone, ever, Loach can really bring cinema down to earth. As far as I'm concerned, Kes is everything that Truffaut's 400 Blows is wrongfully hailed as: A deeply moving socially realistic story about a miserable child.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
kojilessKojiless
Rated 28 May 2016
88
90th
Made me want to he a better father. And teach my son British dialects. But mostly the first one.
Rated 28 May 2016
okkervilOkkervil
Rated 03 Sep 2010
77
78th
"Kes" is one of those films that has weaved its way into the British psyche, precisely because even today, 40 years after it was made, it still encompasses and reflects much of working class British society, at least in an ideological if not practically realistic & modern way. "Kes" is a stark and miserable film, but also funny and strangely hopeful, until its tragic and grim final moments. Ending a low note is quintessentially British! I'm pretty sure all of Barnsley is the poor end of Barnley!
Rated 03 Sep 2010
joojooJooJoo
Rated 20 Sep 2009
6
95th
One of the rare pleasures of a child performance [in lead, no less] being not only suitable, but the driving force of a movie. Loach has a way of capturing moments not usually dwelled upon - a subtle touch to the cinematography that equally impresses.
Rated 20 Sep 2009
p_u_l_pP u l p
Rated 21 Jan 2017
88
97th
Manchester United 1 - 2 Spurs. Bad day for everyone.
Rated 21 Jan 2017
drawkward86drawkward86
Rated 25 Jan 2020
91
80th
How does a film so bleak and ultimately hopeless make me so happy?
Rated 25 Jan 2020
snufkin88Snufkin88
Rated 07 Jun 2019
72
42nd
"We don't care about them, and they don't care about us." Kind of like a British 'The 400 Blows', without the fluidity, but what makes this film equally as memorable is it's striking but subtle social commentary on the desperation of 60's Northern England and the gap between the war heroes and 'layabouts' that came after. There really is no other film like this in the 60s and it's essential viewing for anyone who loves cinema.
Rated 07 Jun 2019
kasperlKasperL
Rated 29 Nov 2018
80
86th
As all of the best moments of Loach's coming of age story are in the last act, it's a British classic that requires some patience. But it definitely pays off, and David Bradley, who is very good in the lead role, is one of the reasons why the film ultimately becomes so involving.
Rated 29 Nov 2018
auhasarderikauhasarderik
Rated 21 Nov 2018
7
61st
Constructed realism, and well done, nice if you're having one of those humanism cravings. A magnetic child performance at its core really rounds up everything here. Oh it's apparently ideological, but nevermind.
Rated 21 Nov 2018
manwhonosemanwhonose
Rated 10 Jan 2017
96
88th
Very naturalistic, beautifully shot and heartbreaking.
Rated 10 Jan 2017
caffecaffe
Rated 09 Dec 2015
78
77th
Engaging and sad neorealist tale, utterly plotless but still never makes you lose interest. Great at portraying the society it takes place in and these days it works as quite a time capsule.
Rated 09 Dec 2015
burmashaveburmashave
Rated 27 May 2015
99
99th
one of the most empathetic films I've watched. perfectly understands all the wrong ways in which society treats children
Rated 27 May 2015
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 19 Jun 2010
86
87th
Something like 400 Blows, but in the style of kitchen sink realism. Ken Loach's direction is assured and unobtrusive, carving out the stark reality without a lot of fuss. And young David Bradley does a superb job handling the lead role. The ending is predictably awful, although that doesn't really lessen its heartbreaking impact. Likewise, the metaphorical symbolism of Kes is extremely blunt, but very effective nonetheless. I found the film quite moving and even captivating at times.
Rated 19 Jun 2010
hehejajahehejaja
Rated 08 Dec 2008
80
76th
Impressive debut. The first half hour doesn't promise anything of significance, but Loach's empathic gaze makes itself more and more visible further into the film, and the grief-stricken ending carry a solemn dignity and hopefulness in all its mournfulness; the decisive humanism Loach so carefully have establish sits so deep at this moment that one cannot go exclusively sad out of the film experience.
Rated 08 Dec 2008
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 02 Mar 2007
80
95th
Fantastic and heart breaking film.
Rated 02 Mar 2007
shockularSHOCKULAR
Rated 15 Nov 2022
82
79th
Man, this kid's got it rough. A sad story, uncommonly empathetic. The protagonist feels far more authentic than most screen kids. He's weird and awkward in the way kids are but the movies so rarely correctly capture. I'm not sure if it was intended, but I found some of the over the top asshole teachers comedic, especially the gym teacher. Beautifully photographed with a score that adds to it significantly. I think I would have found it unwatchable without subtitles, though, due to the accents.
Rated 15 Nov 2022
panzerwolfpanzerwolf
Rated 25 Aug 2022
65
46th
It's a beautifully shot movie with a strong story and a great cast. I just had trouble with it being so damn depressing all the time, with hardly any people treating the main character like a human. It reminded me of kids' books where the main character is always looked down on while they are special inside. That the contrast between what made Billy happy and how the rest of the world treated him has a purpose, of course, but I think one viewing is enough for this one.
Rated 25 Aug 2022
dawdlingpoetDawdlingPoet
Rated 22 Aug 2022
80
79th
This is a solid piece of social commentary at the time it was made (the late 1960s) about a young boy seeking solace in the form of a local kestrel nest, as he doesn't feel he's understood or certainly treated well by others in his local community. It's a thoughtful film with some relatively touching moments. It's not overly sentimental or excessively brutal in an unrealistic way. The old attitude of the angry menacing headmaster is enough to put a chill down most anyones spine, I'd imagine.
Rated 22 Aug 2022
heynicefilmHeyNiceFilm
Rated 17 May 2021
88
82nd
Some nice cinematography, at times, in this one. Always enjoy a 'every day slice of life' film, when its well done. A UK 400 Blows. The scene with the football coach was hilarious, and there is other humor spread throughout. I enjoy these type of endings.
Rated 17 May 2021
edwardedward
Rated 03 Feb 2021
2
14th
I've watched this a few times to try to understand its seemingly universal appeal, but I just don't get it. The acting is AWFUL and terribly unconvincing. The character development is nonexistent. There's surely a story here, but it's poorly executed with a weak, boring, unimaginative script and dull direction. It seems improvised. It feels more like an amateur adaptation of The 400 Blows (which I also dislike) than a critically acclaimed film. The cheesy score doesn't help, but is appropriate.
Rated 03 Feb 2021
kfolkfol
Rated 21 Jan 2021
87
93rd
Really loved how sudden the ending was. A brilliantly acted and engaging film.
Rated 21 Jan 2021
selcukburcakselcukburcak
Rated 08 Oct 2020
85
91st
"belki bazen kötü biri oluyorum ama o kadar değil efendim. benden daha kötülerini tanıyorum ama yaptıkları yanlarına kalıyor."
Rated 08 Oct 2020
kyleknappkyleknapp
Rated 30 Jan 2020
81
71st
How does a film so bleak and ultimately hopeless make me so happy?
Rated 30 Jan 2020
driscarpindriscarpin
Rated 20 Nov 2019
97
96th
Há 50 anos Kes estreava no London Film Festival. Esse filme não é taxado como obra-prima do Loach até hoje por nada, retrato absolutamente brutal da classe trabalhadora inglesa, de como uma criança cresce absolutamente brutalizada por todos enquanto sua única redenção é o animal de estimação. BlurayRip no MakingOff.
Rated 20 Nov 2019
gokseltuzungokseltuzun
Rated 26 May 2019
98
89th
the first week of May. was first movie of Ken Loach and I feel like Kieslowski movie.
Rated 26 May 2019
evilmangoesEvilMangoes
Rated 25 Mar 2019
91
73rd
A-
Rated 25 Mar 2019
shalevshalev
Rated 24 Feb 2019
83
70th
Animals can be so much more comforting than people
Rated 24 Feb 2019
marcellomarcello
Rated 17 Feb 2019
77
53rd
deep respect for the hawk... literally strong
Rated 17 Feb 2019
icarusIcarus
Rated 14 Jun 2018
93
94th
This is humanistic filmmaking at its best, for it helps us to see a child whereas the prevailing society sees only "them." This film is what love looks like.
Rated 14 Jun 2018
ieuandpIeuanDP
Rated 02 Jan 2018
90
92nd
Watched around the same time as The 400 Blows, but Kes just resonates a bit more. I don't know whether that's because I recognise the deprivation or parochialism, but it's intentionally much more empathetic than Truffaut's film. They both capture childhood alienation like nothing else I've seen, but Doinel is distant and blunted, while Billy is single-minded and emotionally led. These traits set the tone for how the films play out, and they're both really affecting, but in different ways.
Rated 02 Jan 2018
yiannosYiannos
Rated 15 Oct 2017
70
72nd
(Viewed on 05/02/11): British kitchen sink realism was like Italian neo-realism stripped of all aesthetic ambition, which makes sense considering the Marxist leanings of its chief practitioners. It's a no frills style that primarily appeals to rather simple minded utopians who think that all 'real art' must conform to a pre-fab social agenda. Loach is a dullard, but Kes is his best work, mostly thanks to a memorable performance by Bradley as a downtrodden boy from the wrong side of town.
Rated 15 Oct 2017
ephedrinephedrin
Rated 18 Jul 2017
77
84th
Very emotional...
Rated 18 Jul 2017
grapeGrape
Rated 07 Sep 2016
80
70th
27 Agost 2016 - M'ha fet seguir-la molt de prop, agafar-li simpatia. La música ha influit en aquesta aquesta sensació. No ha abusat de provocar llagrimeta. M'ha agradat que hi hagués escenes llargues a l'escola, em venia de gust seguir el noi en la seva vida.
Rated 07 Sep 2016
xanianXanian
Rated 11 Jul 2016
93
96th
Kes has its downs. It has its lulls. But when it soars, oh boy, does it soar. At its peak, Kes is the sublime tale of a young boy's spirit breaking free of shackles and chains. The clink of the chains locking back into place is the crash that you need to hear in order to know that Kes is a masterpiece of cinematic storytelling, not a sappy fairytale.
Rated 11 Jul 2016
le_mamile mami
Rated 28 May 2015
70
66th
Bu filmin hissine giremedim. Rewatch
Rated 28 May 2015
luxnatalisLuxNatalis
Rated 10 Feb 2015
72
82nd
Boy training his pet falcon is not exactly the most easy premise to base a movie on, but this British classic manages to do it perfectly.
Rated 10 Feb 2015
staryarabbistaryarabbi
Rated 02 Jan 2015
80
79th
The film gives so much attention to every detail of Casper's body, his life, his thoughts that after a while some transcendental feeling of emphaty aobut him emanates from the pelicule.
Rated 02 Jan 2015
lonewolf2003Lonewolf2003
Rated 03 Dec 2014
85
92nd
It's great how Loach uses this simple moving story about a boy and his hawk as an entry into portraying the life in a English mining town. (2nd viewing)
Rated 03 Dec 2014
medikolaynmedikolayn
Rated 22 Aug 2014
75
64th
my cousin said they killed a real kestrel. it can't be true!!! /long scenes made me sick.
Rated 22 Aug 2014
janusjanus
Rated 23 Jul 2014
80
77th
A humble family-movie sort of premise is miraculously elevated by spontaneity, realism, implicit leftism, and one of the best performances ever by an amateur actor. The film's deliberate understatement of its sad ending is very "nothing to see here, show's over, return to your homes"; I understand the desire not to be manipulative, but something like that really needs to be milked at least a little bit, or else it seems stunted and abrupt.
Rated 23 Jul 2014
lisa_iilisa-
Rated 08 Jan 2014
5
70th
a very down-to-earth coming-of-age story of a boy and his bird. it's a grim depiction of a small english town, but it's also got a lot of heart. the comparisons to truffaut's 400 blows are definitely justified; i actually prefer this one. some cheesy moments (the speech by the principal was a bit silly, for instance) but by and large a very good drama.
Rated 08 Jan 2014
glm01glm01
Rated 16 Oct 2013
89
97th
88.500
Rated 16 Oct 2013
dogubombDogubomb
Rated 01 Apr 2012
50
61st
A boy and his blob... Well acted, well photographed, not-so-well on the sound design... A boy and his blob.
Rated 01 Apr 2012
purgatospurgatos
Rated 04 Mar 2012
82
76th
Very straightforward, but very strong in its message. The acting by Bradley in the lead is phenomenal.
Rated 04 Mar 2012
theyshoot11theyshoot11
Rated 30 Nov 2011
76
52nd
#478
Rated 30 Nov 2011
graveyardtangraveyardtan
Rated 30 Nov 2011
90
84th
Kes succeeds not because of the heartache, which is a bit trite when it comes down to it, but because of the moments of joy that Casper experiences with his beautiful bird.
Rated 30 Nov 2011
lady_moeLady Moe
Rated 21 Aug 2011
75
35th
An unflinching, gritty look at working class England. The amateur David Bradley is very natural as the lead character, Billy.
Rated 21 Aug 2011
grouchoGroucho
Rated 20 Jun 2011
40
93rd
"Throbs with a simple truthfulness...Loach shows his complimentary interest in documentary-influences social realism and the improvisational search for the authentic."
Rated 20 Jun 2011
neonmanNeonman
Rated 15 Dec 2010
65
24th
It's hard getting past the awful sound design, and even harder to get past the accents, but this proves to be a rather affecting and very well-acted insight of a time period and setting more depressing than any would've thought.
Rated 15 Dec 2010
theyshoot10theyshoot10
Rated 14 Jan 2010
77
54th
451
Rated 14 Jan 2010
prowlerprowler
Rated 18 Mar 2009
71
70th
very affecting, but a bit dated in that the issues aren't as actual anymore
Rated 18 Mar 2009
gursuGursu
Rated 17 Mar 2009
2
28th
Has a calm rhythm, and the introspective, modern/minimalistic string ensemble music gives it a dramatic structure. (Bit like Leigh's Naked but not as good.) Besides that, the film hasn't got much cinematically. Bit boring. Realistic yet optimistic/humanistic working class story. Some scenes from the life of the kid are funny, with nice British humour. May be worth watching for the scene where the kid tells the story of his manning the falcon and of his excitement and respect for it.
Rated 17 Mar 2009
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 17 Jan 2009
91
95th
Truly impressive filmmaking. The film's stark realism and simple yet involving story are captivating from the get go and while the plot is quite simple it's the main character's surroundings that add layers of depth to the film.
Rated 17 Jan 2009
theyshoot08theyshoot08
Rated 19 Dec 2008
79
58th
422
Rated 19 Dec 2008
tomoscaradogtomoscaradog
Rated 20 May 2008
84
71st
Very detailed, funny, and ultimately tragic portrait.
Rated 20 May 2008
cerebrusCerebrus
Rated 06 Apr 2008
50
26th
Interesting in parts, but really fails by the end there. I don't really like British Realism anyway, so if that's your thing, by all means watch it!
Rated 06 Apr 2008
theyshoot07theyshoot07
Rated 01 Mar 2008
80
68th
# 405
Rated 01 Mar 2008
vincentevincente
Rated 29 Jan 2008
79
69th
null
Rated 29 Jan 2008

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