Scum (film)

Scum is a film made in 1979 portraying the brutality of life inside a British borstal. Directed by Alan Clarke and starring Ray Winstone, Mick Ford, Martin Philips, Davidson Knight, John Blundell, and Phil Daniels, it tells the story of a young offender named Carlin as he arrives at the institution, and his swift rise to become "The Daddy". The film popularised the phrase "Who's the Daddy?".

Important characters

Carlin

A strong character, intelligent, resourceful and dominant, Carlin arrives at the institution intent on keeping his head down. After a fair amount of provocation however he decides to take over. He does this through a mixture of violence and force of character. The turning point scene is where Carlin enters the games room, takes two snooker balls off the table, and puts them into a sock along with instructions to "carry on" to the lads playing pool. He then walks into the TV room and hits another inmate over the head with this improvised cosh. The scene is important because it is the first time we see Carlin dishing it out, up until then he has taken beatings from the "screws" and the other inmates. The scene is shocking because it is realistic. It was filmed in one continuous take (an assistant to the director had to lay on the floor and hand Winstone another sock, containing something less lethal, out of shot).

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All the violence in the film is realistic. Compared to clichéd Hollywood movies, there is no music for dramatic effect, dialogue is limited, there are no extended fight scenes, no flesh wounds or "it's only a scratch" type wounds. Everything is short, sharp, and serious.

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Another scene has Carlin discussing 'exchange rates' with another inmate. Only loose change was permitted in the borstal. No pound notes were allowed. This rule did not stop visitors passing money to the inmates at visiting time. The notes had to be exchanged for coins, and Pongo (the previous Daddy) had given fifty pence in the pound. Carlin explains that he has to give less, in order to assert himself. "It's psychology". He is persuaded to go up from 40p to 45p but adds: "Make it clear I'm doing as a favour: you 'ad to fucking beg me!"

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Archer

Ben Archer is a fish out of water character. Not only is he far more intelligent than the rest of the inmates, he is also vastly more intelligent than any of the screws. He has no intention of being a good boy and playing the system. He does not care about getting time off for good behaviour and wants to serve his time "in my own little way". This way means "causing as much trouble for the screws as possible". To this end he becomes a vegetarian and refuses to wear leather. This means he walks barefoot, but it does mean he has to be put on a special diet, which means more work for the screws. The Governor is a deeply religious man and insists on every 'trainee' attending Sunday morning worship. Archer refuses to attend and registers himself as an atheist and later a Muslim. So a prison officer has to be assigned to watch him on his own. Archer manages to wind up this prison officer as he talks about the "daily humiliation" that the system imposes on both the boys and the men who lock them up. His argument goes completely over the screw's head who sees it as simply an insult. "I give you my fucking coffee and you take the piss out of me!"

Related Topics:
Atheist - Muslim

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Davis

Davis is one of the three new inmates at the borstal (the other two being Carlin and Angel). He has been sent to the higher security institute because he escaped from a lower maintenance, which he obviously regrets. He is shy, quiet and introverted, keeping to himself. Immediately, he is targeted by the bullies; Pongo Banks demands he pays his fee and slaps him in front of Carlin and the other inmates to assure them he is the "Daddy" of the ward. He constantly looks disheartened and scared of his surroundings, he is noticeably weaker than the rest. He is horrifically raped by three older and stronger boys, whilst on greenhouse duty. Mr. Sands notices the rape from afar, and takes great delight; highlighting the utter immorality and corruption of this "system". Extremely distressed and depressed, Davis subsequently cuts his wrists in a gut-wrenching, yet pivotal scene in the film.

Related Topics:
Borstal - Security - Raped

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Banks

Pongo Banks is the antagonist in the movie and the initial daddy of the wing that Carlin is sent to. Banks is not a very intelligent character but uses strength to bully inmates including Carlin. This provoked Carlin to take over as the "daddy". After hitting Richards with a sock containing snooker balls, he begins to find Banks. Washing up in a toilet, Carlin dunks his head in the basin and repeatingly punch Banks and declares himself as the new daddy as he gives Banks a few more kickings. Because of favouritism in the borstal, the officer of that wing, Mr Sands knew it was Carlin who beaten up Banks and Richards and wants Banks to name Carlin as the culprit. However, Banks is reluctant and insists he slipped.

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