KES (USED) DVD

Kes

Director: Ken Loach

About the Movie

Released in 1969, Kes is widely considered one of the greatest British films ever made, famously voted in the top 10 of all time by the British Film Institute.

• The Plot: Based on the novel A Kestrel for a Knave by Barry Hines, the film follows Billy Casper, a bullied and neglected 15-year-old living in a working-class coal mining town in Yorkshire.

• The Story: Billy finds a young kestrel, which he names Kes, and devotes himself to training the bird. This bond provides him with a rare sense of accomplishment and a spiritual escape from his bleak daily life at home and school.

• Themes: It is a powerful example of British Social Realism, exploring themes of class, the failures of the education system, and the limited opportunities for young people in industrial societies.

• Accolades: The film won several awards, including the Grand Prix at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, and earned David Bradley a BAFTA for Most Promising Newcomer.