Scum (1979)

Overview · Where to watch · Cast & crew · Reviews

In Borstal, survival rules!

Carlin is a new reform school inmate with a reputation as a hard case. The authorities encourage gang leader Pongo to humble Carlin, but Carlin overtakes Pongo as Daddy of the ward. The guards institute a reign of terror and neglect, with Carlin emerging as an unlikely leader.

• Released: 1979-09-12
• Genres: Drama, Crime
• Runtime: 1h 36m
• Status: Released
• TMDB rating: 7.1/10 from 222 votes

Directed by Alan Clarke.

Top cast

• Ray Winstone as Carlin
• Mick Ford as Archer
• Julian Firth as Davis
• John Blundell as Banks
• Phil Daniels as Richards
• John Judd as Mr. Sands
• Philip Jackson as Mr Greaves
• Peter Howell as Governor
• Bill Dean as Mr Duke
• John Grillo as Mr Goodyear

Full cast & crew

Where to watch Scum

• United States: watch free on Kanopy, The Roku Channel
• United Kingdom: stream on BFI Player, BFI Player Amazon Channel, BFI Player Apple TV Channel, ITVX Premium; watch free on ITVX; rent on Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, Sky Store, YouTube; buy on Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, Sky Store, YouTube

Movies like Scum

If you enjoyed Scum, these movies have a similar feel:

• Wasteman (2026)
• Bronson (2009)
• Convict (2014)
• In Hell (2003)
• American Me (1992)
• Gangster No. 1 (2000)
• The Long Good Friday (1980)
• Starred Up (2014)
• The Valachi Papers (1972)
• Mammal (2016)
• Made in Britain (1983)
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