If.. tells the story of a rebellion in British Boys School, a typical public school in England. Mick Travis (Malcolm McDowell), a student in the school, protests against the norms and the traditions in the school which merely restrict the students without serving any purpose. Mick challenges the authorities in the school and makes the headmaster and the prefects of the school his enemies. The school depicts the hypocrisy of the society as on one hand the headmaster of the school gives speeches about the need to bring transformation in the society while on the other hand there is strict adherence to age old rules. Mick is supported by his friends in their protest against the school and authority and the things get out of hand involving violence and firing between parents of the students, teachers and the school prefects.