It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

I couldn't understand the actions so I'm going to have to watch the whole movie in subtitles.The film tries to shy away from cute with a gritty atmosphere.David Bradley plays the cute little boy in this heart-warming, heart-breaking flick. He was so memorable that I just wanted to meet this character. The Yorkshire accent isn't distinct between some actors. But David Bradley was the standout as he gave an incredible performance as Billy for a child. But the director, besides some exceptional directing, could've picked better actors to make the characters more distinct.The screenplay is very predictable, talky and quite clichéd as the boy adventures and goes through these hard times such as students bullying kids and the religious element of going to church, which bring the movie down but if you get pass these, it's a great movie.Even if it may not be heavy in subject matters, I still don't think that kids can sit through this unless they're maybe 12, which you can tell the movie is not marketed at. Otherwise, it's an underrated and memorable film. It's a sad film if not too sad.There is swearing, nudity and stealing from the boy in this, which isn't memorable.

I've grown up in Yorkshire and still see some of these characters about today. The accent in the movie is fantastic and all my older relatives have the similar, broad Yorkshire accent which is so friendly yet powerful.The characters in the film are fantastic. The PE scene is so true to life it's unbelievable. Everybody has had a teacher who is the same way. Beating kids, mocking them, dressing in the warm tracksuit whilst shouting at you that it's "not that cold".I love looking at this now and comparing those days to the ones we have now. Nothing has changed except the punishments. Despite the horrifyingly sad ending, this movie will bring a smile to your face.This movie has made me laugh harder, and cry more than any other. Amazing

It's an apparently hopeless life for grimy teenager David Bradley (as Billy Casper), growing up in a Yorkshire, England coal-mining town. He is bullied at home by older half-brother Freddie Fletcher (as Jud), and at school by coach Brian Glover (as Sugden). Both teachers and schoolmates have little use for young Mr. Bradley; and, he is inadvertently neglected by mother Lynne Perrie.On a lonely walk, Bradley admires some hawks, and develops an admiration for the free-flying bird. He reads up on the falcon, in a stolen library book, and robs a young kestrel from its nest. Bradley trains the bird, which he names "Kes". His pet falcon gives Bradley purpose. Now, English teacher Colin Welland (as Farthing) admires the boy. At last, Bradley, who wants to escape his expected future as a working-class coal miner, has hope. Still, there are those who would break his spirit… This film has been celebrated as an accurate depiction of British working class, but it's much more universal. "A Kestrel for a Knave" writer Barry Hines' downtrodden youth is anywhere and everywhere. With a wonderful story, and photography by Chris Menges, "Kes" is director Ken Loach's masterpiece; it will show you how some poets are born. And, Bradley's characterization is unforgettable. Listen... you can still hear him calling, "C'mon, Kes!" ********** Kes (3/27/70) Ken Loach ~ David Bradley, Freddie Fletcher, Brian Glover, Colin Welland

This film is from the book "Kes - A Kestrel for A Knave" by Barry Hines.Do you remember any of the books you had to read at school as "compulsory reading"? To me this film should be compulsory viewing for all English schoolkids. This is how it was. I love the football scenes. As you may know Brian Glover was a professional wrestler, but his portrayal of the gym teacher is stunning. My gym teacher was Bev Risman, who was fullback/goalkicker for Leeds RLFC, and they could have taken Glover's role from him..Although a dark, grim film, this brings back many childhood memories for me.. including being caned for smoking.. a Players No. 6 I had stolen from my dad..They just don't make films like this anymore.. Billy Elliot and Brassed Off get close.. but Kes is my favourite film of all time..Stewart (The Yorkshireman, and proud of it) Shepherd