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Intense drama set in a British reform school. Inmate Winstone is brutalized by the system until he fights back, rising to the top of the prisoner hierarchy and becoming a hardened criminal. Thick, slang-laden accents make comprehension difficult. Originally commissioned by the BBC for television but rejected for TV showing because of its unpleasantness, it was then released theatrically and received a great deal of praise. The performances are mostly good, and the direction and editing work wonders in the tight gray interiors of the juvenile prison. Not for everyone, but worthwhile viewing for the not-easily-shocked.