Scum

Scum (1979)

Ending / spoiler

(3 votes)

The three inmates Chambers, James and Smith - who play very minor roles throughout most of the film - can be assumed to know that David is alone potting plants in the greenhouse and ask the supervising officer if they can go for a quick burn (cigarette.) They enter the greenhouse doorway and can be seen smoking in the distance. They then proceed to attack Davis. One of the staff officers, Mr Sands, looks through the window and sees Davis bent over and being gang raped but merely smirks and does nothing.

Later that day. Davis finds out that he's on gardening duties again the day after, too. That night he lies in bed tormented, and ends up killing himself. In the canteen the next day, everybody is subdued and quiet, refusing to eat. Mr Sands begins walking through the hall and some begin repeating word 'dead' as he walks up to Carlin to challenge him personally and demand that he eat. The word 'dead' is now being loudly chanted by everybody else as he again demands Carlin to eat, and Carlin rises from his seat, throws his dinner tray at the wall and a riot erupts and the staff flee as the canteen is ransacked. Later, you see Carlin and Archer covered in blood and badly beaten being dragged semiconscious to cells.

Thee final scene is the warden at an outdoor assembly of all staff and inmates, condemning the riot. He them adds that they should take a moments' silence for Davis' death. End. Credits show in silence.

Nikki Williams

Factual error: All Borstal inmates were subject to the same mandatory haircut of short back and sides, yet many types of hairstyles are shown in the film.

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Carlin: Vegetarians? I've shit 'em.

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