Editing in A Clockwork Orange.

The film A Clockwork Orange tells the story of the protagonist, Alex, an amoral teenager who takes advantage of the weak, having no concern for the laws upholding civilized society. When he is captured, Alex goes from meddling with the laws of society to being a pawn of them. In order to evade prison he undergoes aversion therapy, which involves taking drugs and watching films that produce a nauseating feeling. Editing plays a major role in his transformation, portraying Alex as villain and then as victim.

As villain, Alex displays a carefree attitude and finds excitement only through violence. The editing indicates this when a scene with Alex in a threesome is viewed in fast forward, and with slow motion glorifying him when he beats up his friends in order to take over as their leader once again.

As a pawn of the government's new technique, Alex is put on display, literally on stage, following his condition of the treatment. The shots alternate between Alex being tempted by sex and violence, the harsh glare of a spotlight, and reaction shots of the audience, making his helplessness appear as a spectacle. Following the performance, the governor and priest argue over the importance of good citizenry regardless of the human element and the importance of moral choice. These shots alternate between the two of them and Alex, who has each of their hands on his shoulders. As they dispute their ideologies, Alex sits smiling dumbly.

Several repeated shots punctuate Alex's transformation. Before Alex breaks into the writer's home and rapes his wife, an establishing shot between the road and driveway is seen with a sign reading "HOME". This shot is seen again after Alex has been left homeless and beaten up by his former friends and he comes back to this place looking for help. Also, following Alex's first night of brutality and rape, the viewer sees him sprawl out on his bed and revel in his deeds while listening to Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Then, after the writer takes him in for a second time and realizes who Alex is, Alex is drugged and the film cuts to him regaining consciousness on a bed with the Ninth Symphony blasting, causing him excruciating pain.