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Kes
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Synopsis
In this 1969 Ken Loach film, a 15-year-old named Billy Casper (played by acting newcomer David Bradley) suffers abuse both at home and at school in Yorkshire, England. At his home in the working-class section of Barnsley, Billy's brother beats him and his family neglects him. At school, most of his teachers ridicule and reject him, especially sadistic Mr. Sugden (Brian Glover. Like other downtrodden children in an outmoded social system favoring the ruling class, Billy appears headed for a menial job with no future. Consequently, he has no motivation and nothing to look forward to, until the day he finds a kestrel -- a European falcon with the ability to hover against strong wind. The bird, a fledgling, is akin to the boy, who must withstand winds of his own. It is not surprising, therefore, that Billy finds meaning in befriending and caring for the baby kestrel. He raises, nurtures, and trains the falcon, whom he calls "Kes." Its development gives him hope that he too will one day develop, that he too will gain the skills to fly against the wind. Upon the urging of a sympathetic teacher, Mr. Farthing Colin Welland, Billy even summons the courage to take the falcon to school to educate his unfriendly classmates about falconry. Will Billy eventually rise above the repression and privation of his home life and social life? The answers to these questions appear to lie in the fate of the falcon. ~ Mike Cummings, All Movie Guide

Cast

Brian Glover Mr. Sugden
Colin Welland Mr. Farthing
Freddie Fletcher Jud
David Bradley Billy Casper
Lynne Perrie Mrs. Casper

Production Crew

Barry Hines Adaptation
Ken Loach Adaptation
Tony Garnett Adaptation
William McCrow Art Director
Barry Hines Book Author
Chris Menges Cinematographer
John Cameron Composer (Music Score)
Daphne Dare Costume Designer
Ken Loach Director
Roy Watts Editor
John Cameron Musical Direction/Supervision
Tony Garnett Producer
Barry Hines Screenwriter
Ken Loach Screenwriter
Tony Garnett Screenwriter
Gerry Humphreys Sound/Sound Designer
Tony Jackson Sound/Sound Designer
Tony Jackson Sound/Sound Designer
Year: 1970
Runtime: 112
Country: UK
MPAA Rating: PG
Category: Feature

Genre
Drama

Produced by
Kestrel Films
United Artists
Woodfall

Awards
1970 - Best Film - British Academy Awards
1970 - Best Picture - National Board of Review
1970 - Best Film - British Academy Awards
1970 - Best Picture - British Academy of Film and Television