Fresh
A classic of British social realism.
Andrea Gronvall, Chicago Reader
Kes
They beat him. They deprived him. They ridiculed him. They broke his heart. But they couldn’t break his spirit.
1970 · 1h 51m · PG-13
Drama
Directed by
Ken Loach
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Kes
Overview
Bullied at school and ignored and abused at home by his indifferent mother and older brother, Billy Casper, a 15-year-old working-class Yorkshire boy, tames and trains his pet kestrel falcon whom he names Kes. Helped and encouraged by his English teacher and his fellow students, Billy finally finds a positive purpose to his unhappy existence.
Director and cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
100%
Tomatometer
Fresh
Simply, the filmmakers have brought the background of the boy's life vividly into reality.
Variety Staff, Variety
Fresh
Terrific performances, illuminated by Chris Menges' naturalistic but often evocative photography.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Fresh
Loach is not a director of notable style, nor can he often refuse the obvious shot, but he seems to have a remarkable talent for handling actors and obtaining performances that are truly memorable.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
Fresh
Kes is Loach at his best.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
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