Track, discover and find where to watch TV shows and movies.

Discover

Movies
TV Shows
Browse
Topics

Account

Watchlist
Watched
Ratings

Legal

Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
Content Policy

© 2026 Movie Browser. All rights reserved.

Data provided by TMDB

backdrop

backdrop

Banned twice, still banned by the BBC, and absolutely unflinching — British cinema at its most brutal.

Indie

Watch(GB)

Scum (1979)

prison nightmareinstitutional rot1970s grit

Overview

Powerful, uncompromising drama about two boys' struggle for survival in the nightmare world of Britain's notorious Borstal Reformatory.

Content warning

controversy riot suicide rape revenge prison racism corruption england inmate+3 more

Standout Aspects

Acting

Ray Winstone's breakthrough — terrifying, magnetic, unforgettable.

Direction

Alan Clarke's unblinking camera refuses to look away.

Writing

Roy Minton's script from his own banned TV play.

Best for:Solo: You need space to process this. No distractions.·Streaming: Pause whenever you need air. You will need air.

Heads up:Violence: Graphic gang assaults and brutal beatings throughout.·Triggers: Institutional sexual violence, suicide, and racist attacks.

Director

Alan Clarke

ReleasedSep 12, 1979

Runtime1h 36m

StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacesteady

Intensityhigh

Tonedark

Feelheavy

Budget$420K

Berwick Street Productions

Boyd's Company

Top Cast

Ray Winstone

Carlin

Mick Ford

Archer

Julian Firth

Davis

John Blundell

Banks

Phil Daniels

Richards

John Judd

Mr. Sands

Philip Jackson

Mr Greaves

Peter Howell

Governor

Bill Dean

Mr Duke

John Grillo

Mr Goodyear

P.H. Moriarty

Mr. Hunt

Ray Burdis

Eckersley

Ask about Scum

Opens AI chat

Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

The BBC banned the original 1977 TV version so completely that director Alan Clarke remade it as a feature film with almost the entire original cast.

Cultural

The 'billiard ball in a sock' weapon became so notorious that British prisons reportedly saw copycat incidents after the film's release.

Official Trailer

Official Trailer

Gallery(15 images)

Reviews

No ratings yet

Start the discussionBe the first to post — spoiler-safe

Rate & reviewBe the first to weigh in

Recommended

Wasteman movie poster (2026)

Wasteman

Bronson movie poster (2009)

Bronson

Convict movie poster (2014)

Convict

In Hell movie poster (2003)

In Hell

American Me movie poster (1992)

American Me

Gangster No. 1 movie poster (2000)

Gangster No. 1

The Long Good Friday movie poster (1980)

The Long Good Friday

Caged movie poster (1950)

Caged

McVicar movie poster (1980)

McVicar

Starred Up movie poster (2014)

Starred Up

Ill Manors movie poster (2012)

Ill Manors

Made in Britain movie poster (1983)

Made in Britain

Trafficking movie poster (2023)

Trafficking

Mammal movie poster (2016)

Mammal

State Property movie poster (2002)

State Property

More Like This

The Man Who Haunted Himself movie poster (1970)

The Man Who Haunted Himself

Dark Blue movie poster (2002)

Dark Blue

A Boy and His Dog movie poster (1975)

A Boy and His Dog

The World, the Flesh and the Devil movie poster (1959)

The World, the Flesh and the Devil

Hang 'em High movie poster (1968)

Hang 'em High

Cop au Vin movie poster (1985)

Cop au Vin

Cold Pursuit movie poster (2019)

Cold Pursuit

Dragged Across Concrete movie poster (2019)

Dragged Across Concrete

Hustle movie poster (1975)

Hustle

Farewell, Home Sweet Home movie poster (1999)

Farewell, Home Sweet Home

White Lightning movie poster (1973)

White Lightning

The Longest Yard movie poster (1974)

The Longest Yard

The New Interns movie poster (1964)

The New Interns

Project Wolf Hunting movie poster (2022)

Project Wolf Hunting

Hot Fuzz movie poster (2007)

Hot Fuzz

Discussion

Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.

Discussion starters

View all comments →