DVD Review: The Raging Moon (1971)

In the same year as he starred in A Clockwork Orange, Malcolm McDowell used his abrasive Yorkshire tones in a very different movie - Bryan Forbes' The Raging Moon.

In fact, The Raging Moon is about as far away from the Kubrick classic as you can get, but still as watchable for very different reasons. McDowell plays Huddersfield lad Bruce Pritchard, local league football player and typical boy about town. On the evening of his brother's wedding, Bruce becomes unwell, waking up in hospital without the use of his legs. Fearing he will become a burden on his elderly parents in their council flat, he gets a place in a home for people with disabilities - but struggles to adapt to the change in his location and indeed in his physical state.

Then he meets Jill (Nanette Newman), who helps him to develop an enthusiasm for his new life and a new career as a writer. Inevitably, the pair fall in love, surprising everyone by getting engaged - before that happiness comes to an abrupt halt.

It's probably ahead of its time in terms of content. Although we see more people with disabilities on our screens today, that wasn't the case in 1971 - it was certainly a brave move to produce a love story for the big screen about two people in wheelchairs. That said, you don't think of any of the main characters simply as disabled people - good writing, acting and direction ensure you see past the wheelchairs and see the people on an equal footing to any able-bodied person - and sometimes even higher.

In fact, The Raging Moon is quite simply a really well-produced piece of drama, with strong characters and a storyline that perhaps could have been a little longer and had a bit more depth, but still does its job well. A minor classic and one of Malcolm McDowell's better roles. It's well deserving of this first-time DVD issue.

Extras on the DVD:

None

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