Kes (1969)

Kes (1969) is a spare, deeply human drama about a 15‑year‑old working‑class boy, Billy Casper, who finds meaning and quiet joy in taming a young kestrel he names Kes. Set in the industrial Yorkshire towns, the film follows Billy's bleak daily life — bullied at school, neglected and mistreated at home — and the rare refuge he discovers in the natural world and in the patient encouragement of a sympathetic teacher. Watching Kes you’ll experience a film of uncompromising social realism: naturalistic performances, plainspoken dialogue, and muted, wintry visuals that underline the characters’ hard lives. The sequences of training the bird are quietly luminous and tactile — close observational scenes that convey a sense of wonder and freedom juxtaposed with the town’s constriction. David Bradley’s performance as Billy is raw and affecting, and the film doesn’t shy away from the cruelty he endures or the small acts of kindness that sustain him. Tonally, Kes is a slow‑burn — thoughtful and restrained rather than sensational. It builds emotional impact through everyday details and restrained tragedy rather than melodrama. Viewers should expect a poignant, sometimes painful portrait of class, youth, and escape: moving, honest, and lingering long after the film ends.

Actors: David Bradley, Brian Glover, Freddie Fletcher

Director: Ken Loach

Runtime: 111 min

Genres: Drama, Family

7.5 /10 7.9 /10 7.7 /10