If you are not moved by this story, check your humanity. Some of the most natural performances I've seen on film. 10/10

The second time I've watched since childhood, I can say it was better the second time around. It was a heartwarming story with some strong acting, and for a 1969 film it was a great picture 6/10

Read the book in school in the 80's which was wonderful, the film is awesome. I must have watched it 5 or 6 times over the years.

Was completely taken in by this heartbreaking movie and by David Bradley's all-timer of a performance. While the plot here is nothing you haven't seen in Disney movies or after-school specials (put-upon kid finds salvation in the friendship of an animal), it's never really the focus here. Instead Loach gives nothing less than an indictment of the school and class systems of the country and a powerful depiction of generational trauma. I adored this one.

_Kes_ is a film that manages to be tremendously dramatic precisely because of its purest simplicity. A simple story, simple actors, a simple context. Ingredients that nevertheless turn out to be damn effective under the hands of a still young Ken Loach in his second feature film. The director's typical ingredients are already all there: nonprofessional actors, a linear narrative, an immersive setting. The traits that allow Ken Loach to be counted a champion of cinematic Neo-Neorealism. There is not much to go around: if you want to try your hand at the director's important filmography, _Kes_ undoubtedly turns out to be one of the acclaimed director's must-sees.