5/5 4 stars out of 4
  by One-Line Film Reviews (Easton, MD)
The Bottom Line:

An unforgettable film that captures better than almost any other both the rebellious spirit of youth and the feeling of the 60s, If... is a powerful attack on the British class system, a 2 hour journey with incredibly interesting characters, and above all else a great film.

5/5 Beautiful, surreal film
  by marky77 (England)
I had never heard of this movie before but it was on Film4 last night and I watched it on a whim because it stars Malcolm McDowell and I enjoyed his performances in A Clockwork Orange and Caligula.

The movie is about a trio of friends who are in the 6th form at a boys boarding school, one of who is having a relationship with a younger boy and another who becomes increasingly fixated on guns and rebellion.

Parts of the film are realistic and seem like an ordinary boys school in the 60's but other parts of the movie are very strange and surreal such as random scenes shot in black and white, the bizzare dog-like fight involving a girl in a cafe, and of course the ending, which I found quite powerful because I wasn't expecting it at all.

Deffinatly agree with it being in Film4's "Movies to see before you die" series. I'm certainly glad I didn't miss it.

4/5 A poet forming his vision
  by C. Rocklein
It's a good film and leaves you with a somewhat powerful impression at the end though it's often long and slow-ish getting there. I thought O Lucky Man was better (cheaper too). The artiness of this film fits right in with Criterion though (so does the price). The story starts becoming sort of a semi-surreal, montage near the end - almost like an abstract poem. It's well-shot, but it's still slow and not incredibly interesting. Not bad, but not riviting either - then again, neither was Citizen Kane. It's got a period vibe that does more for it than the actual story. It must be true art because it somewhat defies labeling and description. I'm happy I saw it, but going into this one with lower expectations leaves more room for enjoyment and surprise..

5/5 KA-BOOM!!
  by me (Raleigh, NC)
Malcolm McDowell's best performance in my opinion. plus, who wouldn't want to blow up their high school?

5/5 Awesome
  by Barry Gallegos (Henderson, NV)
I saw this on VHS many years ago along with O Lucky Man and I am glad they finally decide to release this version along with great commentary and interesting background on the movie.
Highly enjoyable and still pertinent today.
Malcolm McDowell seems to be able to just act with ease, a true joy to watch.