This hard-hitting drama, giving a very grim view of the Borstal system for young offenders, was originally commissioned by the BBC. But when it was finished, the corporation deemed it so unpleasant that they refused to screen it. So it was turned into a cinema film, and garnered critical acclaim. It's true that, in places, it's extremely disturbing and the more genteel will be offended by the swearing and confused by the rough accents and criminal slang. But it's also very powerful, with gritty performances from then-newcomers Phil Daniels and Ray Winstone. A fist in the face that still smarts all these years after it was first shown.

©ipc tx. Film content from TVTimes