List of cultural references to A Clockwork Orange

Popular culture references to Anthony Burgess's novel A Clockwork Orange and Stanley Kubrick's film adaptation have been wide-ranging, from popular music and television to movies and other media. Some references are based on themes central to the story, such as the use of Nadsat words or phrases, whilst others have incorporated visual elements from the film. The film made Kubrick one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century, and the film has become a cult classic.

Music

• Blur's music video of The Universal exhibits a lot of references to the film. (ex: The band dressed in white, Damon Albarn with dark eyeliners, location similar to Korova Milk Bar)
• A Clockwork Orange, like other dystopian science-fiction novels, had an important influence on industrial and cyberpunk music. The film version influenced bands' fashion styles.
• The Thrash metal band Megadeth have an artwork with Vic Rattlehead replacing Alex on the poster of the film. Dave Mustaine (vocals and guitar), stated several times that he likes "A Clockwork Orange" and he calls his fans "droogies".
• The 1991 single release of U2's The Fly had a piece of music entitled Alex Descends into Hell for a *Bottle of Milk/Korova 1 from the score of the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of A *Clockwork Orange. The performance was scored by Bono and The Edge from U2.
• Polish band Myslovitz's album Korova Milky Bar refers to the film, comparing it to present situation in Poland.
• The German punk band Die Toten Hosen alludes to the film in the song "Hier kommt Alex" from the album Ein kleines bisschen Horrorschau.
• Guns N' Roses music video for Welcome To The Jungle gives a nod to the film by showing Axl Rose in a strait jacket and head restraint watching violent scenes on televisions.
• Rihanna music video of You Da One
• British band New Order's album 'Power, Corruption and Lies' features a song titled 'Ultraviolence', making reference to the film.
• In the music video for "Never Gonna Stop" Rob Zombie and others are dressed as Alex DeLarge and his droogs from the film. In reference to two of the film's scenes, they appear in the Korova Milk Bar, and go on a wild ride in a stolen "Durango 95".
• In the music videos for Stomp and Rampage by Kottonmouth Kings, The band is dressed as Alex Delarge and his droogs, and visit places such as the Korova Milk Bar, and the location of the fight between the droogs and the other gang.

Television

• There have been references to the film on South Park. In "Coon 2: Hindsight", the scene where the Coon (Cartman) attacks the rest of the Coon's gang is reminiscent of the scene in which one of the members insists the gang be run in a "new way" that entails less power for Alex (Cartman); then while walking along, Alex attacks his "droogs" in order to re-establish his leadership. The scene also has the same music playing: an excerpt from the overture of The Thieving Magpie by Gioacchino Rossini.

• The Simpsons contains frequent references to the film. In several episodes, Bart is portrayed as Alex DeLarge from the movie.

• The intro to Robot Chicken also references the Ludovico technique.

• In the Regular Show episode "The Unicorns Have Got to Go", a unicorn is dressed like Alex DeLarge.

Video Games

• The intro to the video game Conker's Bad Fur Day matches Kubrick's intro to A Clockwork Orange. In the game, the main protagonist, Conker, sits on his throne drinking milk and narrates in the first person.
• Id Software often have an 'Ultra-Violence' difficulty setting in their games, for example the Doom series.

Films

The film version of A Clockwork Orange immediately revolutionized the science fiction film genre, opening the way for other films to portray elaborate dystopian narratives and to intelligently analyze social dilemmas. Many film directors have borrowed themes and cinematic techniques from the film. The film is an essential part of modern cinema and films often reference it.

• Heath Ledger said he based his portrayal of The Joker on Alex DeLarge.
• Films that use similar cinematic techniques to A Clockwork Orange include A Boy and His Dog, THX 1138, and Westworld.
• The torture scene in Reservoir Dogs being set to "Stuck in the Middle With You" was described by Quentin Tarantino in an interview as a direct reference to the scene in A Clockwork Orange where Alex kicks the writer and rapes his wife to the tune of "Singin' in the Rain". A Clockwork Orange is also referenced at the beginning of the film when all the men are walking in slow motion, as Alex and his droogs did.
• In Gangster No. 1 Malcolm McDowell, the actor who played Alex in the film version, plays his character of a gangster as an older version of Alex.
• In Good Bye Lenin the fast forward sex scene of A Clockwork Orange is referenced when Alex and his friend are setting up his mother's bedroom. On both occasions the Rossini's William Tell Overture being played. The name of the main character in Good Bye Lenin is also Alex.
• In Batman & Robin, in motor race scene, some punks are dressed as Alex and his droogs, however, they use a white wig and black lipstick.
• In Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny, Jack Black is attacked by a group dressed like Alex and his droogs. The attack also happens at night.
• In Tank Girl, Lori Petty is seen in one of the scenes wearing heavy eye makeup and a bowler hat similar to Alex DeLarge's (the film also starred Malcolm McDowell as the principal villain).

Sports

• Professional wrestler Patrick Martin takes the first part of his ring name Alex Shelley from Alex DeLarge.
• The Netherlands national football team is also known as "the Clockwork Orange", due to their orange kits and their highly accurate passes during the Johann Cruijff era.
• The Drughi Ultras group that follows Italian Football club Juventus are named after and use imagery of the Droogs in their banners, flags and displays.

Magazines

• A MAD satire of the film called A Crockwork Lemon was created for the June 1973 issue #159 by writer Stan Hart and artist George Woodbridge. Norman Mingo's illustration for the cover showed Alfred E. Neuman as Alex.
• In the September 1972 issue of Playboy, the cartoon strip "Little Annie Fanny" featured a scene from A Clockwork Orange, with characters Annie and Ralphie watching it onboard a plane and discussing violence.

Further reading

• Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange by Stuart Y. McDougal Cambridge University Press, 2003 ISBN 0521574889
• Ludovico's Cure. On Body and Music in "A Clockwork Orange" by Gianfranco Marrone, Legas publisher, 2009
• 'Droog In The Dock" A Clockwork Orange film, music and interest Fanzine 7 issues by M. Embleton 80's-90's

External links

• A Clockwork Orange Media Mentions and pictures