Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5664 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-04-10
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 100 minutes

Synopsis
An intriguing story of an eminent barrister who reveals his homosexual past to thwart blackmail.

Customer Reviews

v. good show
i managed to squeeze this film into a couple of hours gap i had at university and how glad i was. At my uni there is a seperate dvd section for people to watch films in separate film booths with headphones on. This has been my sanctuary for three years and i have ploughed my way through many brilliant and absurd films assembled clumsily on the shelves that i would never normally look at. This film also came into this category. I stumbled across it by chance and was mesmerised by the clever plot that was being explained on the back of the box. an hour and a half later i was sitting speechless in my chair, amazed by what i had just seem. This film incorporates dark drama, social issues and is filmed in black and white with 2 brilliant, classic actors, what more could anyone want? Watch it. I guarantee you will be glad you did.

A classic film on many levels
This is a fascinating film in many ways. The acting by Dirk Bogarde, Sylvia Sims and the rest of the cast is excellent, and it is well directed.

The film works on many levels. On one level it is a whodunit - a homosexual commits suicide, and the man's lawyer (Bogarde) tries to track down the blackmailer who drove him to it.

On another level it is a drama - as the lawyer goes deeper into the gay world, it reopens his uncertainty over his own sexual orientation, and puts a strain on his marriage (to Sylvia Sims).

On a third level it is gay propoganda. At the time (Early 1960's) male homosexual acts were illeagal. This film led to greater tolleration by the public - leading to a change in the law. In fact, this has probably had a greater impact on changing public opinion (on any subject) than any other British film.

Some gay activists may now dislike the film, because many of the gay charaters are shown as sad, pathetic individuals living secret lives in the shadows, who only wanted to be left in peace away from the police and blackmailers. However, this was probably an accurate reflection of the times.

A must see
Given the age of this film (early 1960's) it is nothing short of incredible.
It handles the subject of homosexuality in a very sensitive and yet inspiring way. I was especially impressed with the relationship between husband and wife - this could have been treated in a very negative way, but was in fact very moving.
This is a film that everyone should see at least once as it is profoundly significant - I would put it on a par with The Colour Purple - as it similarly confronts the viewer with human truths.