The drama focuses on Billy Casper (David Bradley), a tormented working-class boy who is subjected to abuse both at school and at home. The son of a single mother (Lynne Perrie), Billy’s existence is mostly bleak until he takes up an interest in falconry and begins training a kestrel that he finds on a nearby farm. While Billy forms a close bond with the falcon, his hardscrabble life and harsh environment prove to be a challenge to the boy and his bird.
Cast: David Bradley, Lynne Perrie
Crew: Ken Loach (Director), Chris Menges (Director of Photography), John Cameron (Music Director)
Release Dates: 03 Apr 1970 (United Kingdom)
Tagline: They beat him. They deprived him. They ridiculed him. They broke his heart. But they couldn't break his spirit.
Did you know? This film is based on the 1968 novel A Kestrel for a Knave, written by the author Barry Hines. Read More
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as Billy Casper
as Casper
as Youth employment officer
as Gryce
as Sugden
as Farthing
as Farmer
as Jud
as Pub comedian
as Macdowell
as Librarian
Distribution
Distributor
Writers
Screenplay Writer
Music
Music Director
Art
Art Director
Editorial
Editor
Film Type:
Feature
Language:
English
Colour Info:
Black & White
Sound Mix:
Mono
Frame Rate:
24 fps
Aspect Ratio:
2.35:1
Stereoscopy:
No
Taglines:
They beat him. They deprived him. They ridiculed him. They broke his heart. But they couldn't break his spirit.
Filming Locations:
St. Helens School, Carlton Road, Athersley South, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England
Tankersley, South Yorkshire, England
Old Hall Farm, Tankersley, South Yorkshire, England
Athersley South, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England
Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England
Fitzwilliam Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England
Hoyland Common, Hoyland Road, Hoyland, South Yorkshire, England
Tankersley, South Yorkshire, England
Old Hall Farm, Tankersley, South Yorkshire, England
Athersley South, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England
Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England
Fitzwilliam Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England
Hoyland Common, Hoyland Road, Hoyland, South Yorkshire, England
Trivia:
Kes was selected for the 21st edition of International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK).
This film is based on the 1968 novel A Kestrel for a Knave, written by the author Barry Hines.
The Yorkshire dialect spoken in the film is difficult for some other English-speakers to understand. Some scenes were re-dubbed for the American market on its release.
According to a BBC Radio 4 interview, the child actors who were beaten (actually caned on the hand) by the character of the school headmaster were paid an additional 50 pence for their trouble.
This film won Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Colin Welland at the 1971 British Academy Film Awards.
This film is based on the 1968 novel A Kestrel for a Knave, written by the author Barry Hines.
The Yorkshire dialect spoken in the film is difficult for some other English-speakers to understand. Some scenes were re-dubbed for the American market on its release.
According to a BBC Radio 4 interview, the child actors who were beaten (actually caned on the hand) by the character of the school headmaster were paid an additional 50 pence for their trouble.
This film won Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Colin Welland at the 1971 British Academy Film Awards.
