If... (1968)

The basic theme has an old, rigid English boys school attempting to mold young minds with strict control, obedience and punishment. But the human soul finds new ways to squirm out the other side. Mick Travis (Malcolm McDowell) is a free spirit who slowly realizes that he can't quite fit in; his will won't be broken. In the end, he and his cohorts attempt to take over the school with firearms. McDowell is part of the reason the film works so well. In his first movie role, he has a James Dean-type physicality, fearless and entrancing. If his confident stride doesn't hypnotize you, his gleaming dagger-sharp eyes will. Just check out his memorable entrance, swathed in black with a black hat and scarf around his face.

But Anderson is smart enough not to let Mick steal the picture. On the other side of the coin we have poor young frosh Jute (Sean Bury), just entering the school and learning its labyrinth of rules; he's frightened, but he still has his soul. Anderson was undoubtedly inspired by Jean Vigo's Zero for Conduct (1933), and his film still seems relevant, leading directly to films like Gus Van Sant's Elephant (2003). The title comes from the Rudyard Kipling poem. Anderson and McDowell returned with O Lucky Man! (1973), in which McDowell once again plays "Mick Travis."

In 2011, The Criterion Collection released an excllent Blu-Ray edition of their 2007 DVD, with a new high-definition digital transfer and uncompressed monaural soundtrack. Extras include an audio commentary with film critic and historian David Robinson Malcolm McDowell, interviews with McDowell, assistant director Stephen Frears, and more, and Anderson's Oscar-winning documentary Thursday's Children (1954). The liner notes booklet includes an essay by critic David Ehrenstein and reprinted pieces by Sherwin and Anderson.