- Director: Ken Loach
- AMG Rating:
- Genre: Drama
- Movie Type: Coming-of-Age, Family Drama
- Themes: Kids in Trouble
- Main Cast: David Bradley, Freddie Fletcher, Lynne Perrie, Colin Welland, Brian Glover
- Release Year: 1970
- Country: UK
- Run Time: 112 minutes
- MPAA Rating: PG
Plot
In this 1969 Ken Loach film, a 15-year-old named Billy Casper (played by acting newcomer David Bradley) suffers abuse both at home and at school in Yorkshire, England. At his home in the working-class section of Barnsley, Billy's brother beats him and his family neglects him. At school, most of his teachers ridicule and reject him, especially sadistic Mr. Sugden (Brian Glover. Like other downtrodden children in an outmoded social system favoring the ruling class, Billy appears headed for a menial job with no future. Consequently, he has no motivation and nothing to look forward to, until the day he finds a kestrel -- a European falcon with the ability to hover against strong wind. The bird, a fledgling, is akin to the boy, who must withstand winds of his own. It is not surprising, therefore, that Billy finds meaning in befriending and caring for the baby kestrel. He raises, nurtures, and trains the falcon, whom he calls "Kes." Its development gives him hope that he too will one day develop, that he too will gain the skills to fly against the wind. Upon the urging of a sympathetic teacher, Mr. Farthing Colin Welland, Billy even summons the courage to take the falcon to school to educate his unfriendly classmates about falconry. Will Billy eventually rise above the repression and privation of his home life and social life? The answers to these questions appear to lie in the fate of the falcon. ~ Mike Cummings, All Movie GuideReview
Although made in two months for less than $400,000, this 1969 film achieved astounding success and acclaim, rightfully earning itself a place on almost everyone's list of best British films. It follows the fortunes -- or misfortunes -- of a downtrodden adolescent named Billy Casper, played superbly by David Bradley. Billy lives in the working-class section of Barnsley in Yorkshire, England. Abused and neglected at home and bullied and ridiculed at school, he finds purpose in raising and training a rescued kestrel, the only breed of falcon that peasants were permitted to own in feudal England. Billy and his little friend, whom he appropriately dubs "Kes," symbolize the sorry lot of the British underclass in a social system designed to produce submissive workers to serve the ruling elite. As a mere commoner, Billy doesn't count. He and his family are without title, without money, without status. So effective was the film in delivering its message -- without preaching, without sentimentality, but with welcome touches of humor -- that it became a model to be imitated in later films with similar themes. The script for the film was adapted from the popular Barry Hines book A Kestrel for a Knave. The film marked the debut of several of filmdom's finest talents, including director Ken Loach, cinematographer Chris Menges, and actors Colin Welland and Brian Glover. Welland plays Mr. Farthing, a teacher who encourages Billy, while Glover plays Mr. Sugden, a teacher who bullies Billy.~ Mike Cummings, All Movie Guide
Cast
David Bradley - Billy CasperFreddie Fletcher - JudLynne Perrie - Mrs. Casper- Colin Welland - Mr. Farthing
- Brian Glover - Mr. Sugden
