"A Clockwork Orange"...a question. (1 Viewer)

[David Wilkins]

I just finished watching, for the first time in many, many years, "A Clockwork Orange". I've never read the Anthony Burgess novel, but I have a question that is perhaps as much opinion, as knowable.

In the closing shot, where Alex's eyes roll back in his head: is this simply euphoria, or has he been put to death after being kept alive long enough for the political photo-op?

 

[MatthewLouwrens]

Just euphoria at having been restored back to his normal state.
The film ends at the end of the 20th chapter of the book, and omits the material from the 21st (and final) chapter - this may be because the US publishers also omitted the final chapter. Personally, I think its the right decision, as I feel like the final chapter essentially dismisses Alex's actions as a phase that he'll grow out of
and I just was not convinced by that.

But I know others will disagree.