Scum (television play)

Scum is a controversial British television play, originally produced for the Play for Today series by the BBC in 1977. Written by Roy Minton and directed by Alan Clarke, it portrays the brutal realities of life inside a borstal, a British reform school for young offenders.

The play follows the experiences of Carl, a new arrival at the borstal, as he navigates the violent hierarchies, systemic abuse, and dehumanizing conditions prevalent within the institution. Scum depicts the power dynamics between inmates and staff, the pervasive bullying and sexual assault, and the lack of rehabilitation offered to the young men.

Due to its graphic content, including scenes of violence and sexual assault, the BBC banned the original television play from broadcast shortly before its scheduled airdate. They cited concerns about its explicit nature and potential impact on viewers.

Despite being banned, Scum circulated on bootleg video copies and became a cult classic, gaining notoriety for its unflinching portrayal of institutional violence. Two years later, in 1979, a feature film version of Scum, again written by Roy Minton and directed by Alan Clarke, was released in cinemas. This film, while sharing the same core story and characters, featured some changes to the cast and plot details.

The film version of Scum was also controversial but was commercially released. Both the original television play and the film have been the subject of debate, lauded for their gritty realism and criticized for their graphic violence. They remain significant works in British television and film history, sparking discussions about the treatment of young offenders and the nature of institutional abuse.