Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1575 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-01-20
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Dubbed, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: Turkish
• Dubbed in: German
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 106 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
This was only Ken Loach's second cinema feature but it still ranks as one of his finest and most moving films. Billy, a disaffected young lad living on a soulless Barnsley estate, finds a fledgling kestrel and, for the first time in his life, feels his imagination gripped. With infinite patience--and a book on falconry nicked from a local bookstore--he starts to train the bird.

There's no boy-and-his-pet sentimentality here: the relationship between Kes the bird and the puny, taciturn Billy is the kinship, full of wary respect, between two wild creatures, and when Kes for the first time flies free and returns to Billy's wrist, the sense of exhilaration is overwhelming.

Although Loach never rams his message home, it's clear that Billy stands for a whole generation of youngsters whose potential, barring some such chance event, will never be even fractionally realised. Chris Menges' photography brings out all the austere beauty of the Yorkshire locations, and Loach draws believable performances from his largely non-professional cast--especially the 14-year-old David Bradley, stunningly convincing as Billy. And anyone who has ever suffered under a bullying, self-satisfied sports teacher will squirm with recognition at the brilliant cameo from the late Brian Glover. --Philip Kemp

Special Features
Original theatrical trailer
Interactive menu screens and chapter selections

Synopsis
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 screen by Palm d’Or-winning director Ken Loach, who is best known for his early kitchen sink dramas. Fittingly, Brian Glover--who plays a games teacher--was born in Barnsley, bringing a touch of authenticity to proceedings. Upon its release, KES attracted criticism from wildlife conservationists who saw it as encouraging youngsters to take falcons from the wild with the intention of taming them, despite the film’s underlying message of respecting the birds.

Customer Reviews

Amazing!
I first saw this beautiful and legendary film today and all I can say is, what a gem it really is!
The storyline is wonderful, the acting is truely unbeatable and "Kes" will make you both laugh and cry.
Lynne Perrie who later went on to play Ivy Tilsley in Coronation Street, deserves recognition as one of the greatest actresses all over time, I loved her in "Corrie", "Queenie's Castle" and of course, her infamous appearance on "The View" and I love her in "Kes".
Above all, this film is a truely remarkable piece of work!

Schooldays.........
I had to read the book for my school english exams,'A Kestrel For A Knave' by Barry Hines. Thoroughly enjoyed it, and could not wait to see the film.
It is fantastic, as it sums up my school days only too well, I think most people can relate to this film, with fond memories of all that went on in the classroom, and on the football pitch (that bloomin games teacher) played by the late Brian Glover.(brilliant character)
Has to be director Kenneth Loaches best ever film, fantastic!
I can only remember seeing 'David Bradley' in one other film, 'Zulu Dawn'. Shame he could not have made some more, as he played the part of Billy Casper so well.......

Will always be a British Classic
You can probably overwatch this film and get bored with it over the years, but you will still have a soft spot for it and many will always have it in their top ten. And why not! It is just so well crafted for a small budget film based on a modest novel. It has inspired many film makers since, and if it were made today, it would clean up at the BAFTAS. Everyone has their favourite scene or performance from this film, mine has to be teacher Colin Welland's intervention in the playground bullying-that was pure class, and very old school northern. Films such as Billy Elliot could not have been made without this far superior film setting the brand a long time before.