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Kes Reviews

1969

70
from 11,952 members

Rebellious Billy Casper (David Bradley) finds that training a kestrel takes his mind off his troubled home life and the bullies at school. Set in the Northern English town of Barnsley, the film is a gritty slice of working-class life in the '60s. Based on the Barry Hines novel A KESTREL FOR A KNAVE, KES was brought to the big .. Read more

Starring	Colin Welland, David Bradley, Brian Glover
Director	Ken Loach
Genres	Drama

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Critic's review of Kes
View all (1)
- Barry Hines' novel, about a young schoolboy in Barnsley who attempts to escape the tedium and meaninglessness of his... read more on Time Out
- 45349
- - Time Out
  - 04 Nov 2008 at 00:15
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Most helpful member's review of Kes
View all members' reviews (87)
- - 16
  - 2
  um
  
  i was expecting an utter classic. i knew it would be slow, grey and 'naturalistic' in the ken loach sense - i loved 'the wind that shakes the barley... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 441963
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - James
  - England
  - 21 May 2007 at 01:07
Most recent members' reviews of Kes
View all members' reviews (87)
- - 0
  - 0
  Left no trace
  
  I watched it a few weeks ago, but unfortunately I have no memory of it. I remember a boy and a bird, and the bird is with the boy and the boy is with the bird. ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1091073
- - Misstiti
  - 13 reviews
  - 11 Feb 2012 at 02:27
- - 1
  - 0
  Great film
  
  THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS | Show review anywayHide
  
  Great film - watched my two sons aged 11 and 7 and they both really enjoyed it (until the end). It gives a great flavour of the time and it was interesting for ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1070262
- - Dibidoboo
  - 1 review
  - 04 Dec 2011 at 21:55
- - 0
  - 2
  Not bad
  
  This film really makes me feel glad that I wasn't born till the late 80s, I did enjoy watching his film but I found it hard to appreciate due to it being ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1048045
- - Danny251986
  - 34 reviews
  - Oxford
  - 05 Oct 2011 at 15:55
- - 1
  - 1
  Gritty 1960's Wasn't All Music, Style And Glamour !!!
  
  I hadn't seen this film since I did my English literature exams in the mid 1970's.
  
  In those long gone schooldays, we had to read the book, ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1025934
- - a customer
  - 06 Aug 2011 at 12:06
- - 1
  - 0
  Worth a look if you like true to life films
  
  I didn't see this film when it was first released so was pleased to watch a flim that was so highly rated when it was first released.
  
  We enjoyed ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1025526
- - PML
  - 6 reviews
  - Maidenhead, England
  - 05 Aug 2011 at 08:59
- - 0
  - 0
  Recommended for animal lovers
  
  Acting was reflective of the era but a wonderful reminder of the 1960 s. Humorous and touching and brought a tear to the eye at the end. Recommended for all ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1020843
- - a customer
  - 23 Jul 2011 at 19:10
- - 1
  - 1
  KES THE FILM
  
  THIS IS A GOOD FILM GOOD ACTION A LOT OF ACTION AND BAD WORDS BUT I WOULD TELL MY FRIENDS TO WATCH IT
  
  Report this review
- 984114
- - CHRISTODOULOS
  - 9 reviews
  - 19 Apr 2011 at 10:52
- - 2
  - 0
  Denis Law's in the wash today
  
  Young lad has it tough in South Yorkshire mining town, coming to the end of school, gets interested in Falconry, nutures a Kestrel.
  
  Ken Loach's ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 956922
- - Bassman71
  - 426 reviews
  - Didsbury, England
  - 25 Jan 2011 at 09:46
- - 2
  - 2
  60's working class kestrals
  
  Kes is an interesting film about working class life in the 60's in northern England. Although not an entirely gripping film without much story it manages to... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 947261
- - geeward88
  - 15 reviews
  - Manchester
  - 16 Dec 2010 at 13:06
- - 1
  - 12
  ok film
  
  not as good as the book.
  
  the film is very dated and the best bit is the bird and the music.
  
  fills in an afternoon
  
  Report this review
- 901305
- - a customer
  - Huntly,Scotland
  - 25 Jun 2010 at 20:10
View all members' reviews (87)

- - 16
  - 2
  um
  
  i was expecting an utter classic. i knew it would be slow, grey and 'naturalistic' in the ken loach sense - i loved 'the wind that shakes the barley... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 441963
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - James
  - England
  - 21 May 2007 at 01:07
- - 13
  - 0
  Classic British Northern Grit - sets the bar
  
  Understated, tragic, heartbreaking tale of a neglected, put-upon lad in deprived Northern town in 60s finding fulfilment in looking after and training bird of ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 7132
- - a customer
  - North London
  - 05 Jun 2004 at 18:29
- - 11
  - 1
  Absolutely Superb
  
  One of the best films ever made !!! A must see for people who really appreciate what a 'Classic' is all about.
  
  Enough said....... Just watch... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 893899
- - Bici
  - 1 review
  - Cardiff
  - 25 May 2010 at 19:50
- - 51
  - 50
  COULDN'T BE ANY WORSE!!!
  
  This movie was absolute rubbish. Nothing happens apart from him training a kestrel, which doesn't really grip the audience. Extremely dull, do not do ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 420276
- - a customer
  - Nounsley
  - 14 Mar 2007 at 20:16
- - 9
  - 2
  Excellent - very touching and brilliantly acted
  
  We both loved this film. Ken Loach brings out fantastic performances in all his actors. A breath of fresh air.
  
  I've not given it full marks ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 329637
- - jackANDginnie
  - London
  - 05 Apr 2005 at 10:37
- - 7
  - 3
  This was rubbish
  
  The reveiw of this title was all wrong and it was not good at all infact it just put the icing on the cake for a bad night in.
  
  Report this review
- 378718
- - Dawn White
  - Glasgow,Scotland
  - 27 Oct 2006 at 22:54
- - 7
  - 3
  kes
  
  didn't like this film very much
  
  Report this review
- 590242
- - superbabe
  - 61 reviews
  - Doncaster
  - 29 Jun 2008 at 22:06
- - 4
  - 0
  Kestrel for a knave
  
  It's difficult to say which is my favorite scene in this film. The part where Billy reads the Dandy on his morning paper round? Or the football match (Man ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 416888
- - Billy Casper
  - Dagenham, Essex
  - 04 Mar 2007 at 13:53
- - 6
  - 5
  Eeee, when I were a lad . . .
  
  So, it was tough growing up in Barnsley without much money 50 years ago. Life were hard, everyone was mean and shouted at you, and the teachers were sadists...<... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 334134
- - carlosfandango1
  - london
  - 10 May 2005 at 22:10
- - 3
  - 0
  'kes' review
  
  Great film.....hard hitting social comment.
  
  Report this review
- 603101
- - a customer
  - Buxton
  - 24 Jul 2008 at 22:05

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Buy from Amazon.co.uk

- - Buy
- Kes
  
  Rebellious Billy Casper (David Bradley) finds that training a kestrel takes his mind off his troubled home life and the bullies at school. Set in the Northern English town of Barnsley, the film is a gritty slice of working-class life in the '60s. Based on the Barry Hines novel A KESTREL FOR A KNAVE,...