If... (1968) | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

90% Tomatometer 50 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings

Teenage rebel Mick Travis (Malcolm McDowell) returns to his upper-crust English public school, caught between the sadistic older boys known as the Whips and the first-year students, known as Scum, who are forced to do their bidding. The petty thefts and anti-social behavior of Travis and his two henchmen, Johnny (David Wood) and Wallace (Richard Warwick), soon attract the attention of both the Whips and the school's out-of-touch administration, and lead to an unexpected showdown.

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Critics Consensus

Incendiary, subversive, and darkly humorous, If.... is a landmark of British countercultural cinema.

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Critics Reviews

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If... (1968) | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Pauline Kael New Yorker The ways in which Anderson tries to illustrate the desire for freedom are so mechanical and carry so little conviction that I think one may conclude that the heroes are shooting because he needs to discharge his rage. Jul 6, 2022 Full Review If... (1968) | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Adam Nayman The Ringer From its title on down, If ... is a movie about the power and peril of imagination, and the seductive thrill of wishing that we might externalize our inner lives for all to see and fear. Apr 6, 2020 Full Review If... (1968) | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Ben Walsh Independent (UK) If.... remains a relevant and visceral howl at the "Establishment". Rated: 5/5 Mar 20, 2020 Full Review If... (1968) | Rotten Tomatoes (4) Bianca Garner Filmotomy Despite the film being very much of its era, there is a strong sense that it exists in a world outside the constraints of time. Oct 10, 2024 Full Review If... (1968) | Rotten Tomatoes (5) Harvey G. Cox Tempo (National Council of Churches) Especially in its fantasy episodes, If... celebrates the emergence of subjectivity, feeling, expression and imagination that means so much to young people today. Jan 6, 2021 Full Review If... (1968) | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Paul Schrader Los Angeles Free Press The is an acute sense of disappointment about If, not only over the great film Anderson failed to create, but also the lesser film he passed by. Jun 30, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jay B Kino. Must watch for any young man. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/22/24 Full Review Harsit p This need to be a must watch film Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/27/24 Full Review Alec B One of those movies that really sees people as they are. Most remember the brutality of the ending but few remark on its enigmatic nature. Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/28/24 Full Review Luiz E At first we were confused looking for its real meaning. The meaning I attach to the film is that the system became so oppressive that it brought about its own downfall. This goes far beyond a British school, it's no wonder that each chapter of this film can be attributed to various moments in human history. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/21/23 Full Review Audience Member I didn't really get it. I understand this is about how bad public schools can be in the uk. It's also about being rebellious but then it trips into some American school shoot up disturbing fantasy stuff. I'm not sure how it all came together. Bit weird. That's the point but also not just weird, a bit unenjoyable. Rated 2.5/5 Stars • Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Audience Member strange film title and a strange film.it starts off looking very dated, but once you go with it you don't notice the age after a short while. I would be interested to know who this was reviewed at the time as it is a curious film. I think I liked it? you could always see the direction it was going, so no surprises as such, but mostly well executed. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

Lindsay Anderson Director Malcolm McDowell Mick Travis David Wood Johnny Richard Warwick Wallace Robert Swann Rowntree Christine Noonan The Girl
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Synopsis Teenage rebel Mick Travis (Malcolm McDowell) returns to his upper-crust English public school, caught between the sadistic older boys known as the Whips and the first-year students, known as Scum, who are forced to do their bidding. The petty thefts and anti-social behavior of Travis and his two henchmen, Johnny (David Wood) and Wallace (Richard Warwick), soon attract the attention of both the Whips and the school's out-of-touch administration, and lead to an unexpected showdown.

Director
Lindsay Anderson

Producer
Lindsay Anderson, Michael Medwin

Screenwriter
David Sherwin, John Howlett

Distributor
Paramount Pictures

Production Co
Memorial Enterprises

Rating
R

Genre
Drama

Original Language
British English

Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 9, 1968, Wide

Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 15, 2017

Runtime
1h 51m

Sound Mix
Stereo, Mono
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If... (1968) | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)
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