If.... (1968)

If it takes a teenage riot to get you out of bed, consider If.... (1968) your cult classic bugle call. Lindsay Anderson’s critically-acclaimed film stars Malcolm McDowell as Mick Travis, a persecuted student at an English boarding school run by the Headmaster (Peter Jeffrey). Mick and his outsider friends Johnny Knightly (David Wood) and Bobby Philips (Rupert Webster) seek freedom from the oppressive pettiness of the grown-up staffers as well as from the Whips — senior boys who peacock around, putting the younger guys through hell. Of course, there are heavenly moments in Mick’s life, namely when he has a fling with a local young thing (Christine Noonan). During a fantasy scene, the sex kitten shows off her animal instincts (and full frontal nudity) when she scratches and bites Mr. McDowell. One wonders if…. that’s why he was later cast in Cat People (1982). But back in the ’60s, Malcolm’s portrayal of Mick was filled with its fair share of punishments — until the character decides he’s not gonna take it anymore. In other words, the lad leads an insurrection! But not before we meet the school’s big man on campus (Richard Warwick), a less popular student (Tom Sturridge’s dad Charles), and the housemaster’s wife (Mary MacLeod). In a mamorable sequence, she exposes her breasts, butt and muff as she struts in the buff! Perhaps that’s why the flick won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Here in the States, Mr. Skin gives the pic’s naked women his Palm d’Organ!