Victim (1961)

A prominent lawyer goes after a blackmailer who threatens gay men with exposure (homosexual acts still being illegal). But he's gay himself...

Director:

Basil Dearden

Writers:

Janet Green (by), John McCormick (by),

Stars:

Dirk Bogarde, Sylvia Syms, Dennis Price

Nominated for 2 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dirk Bogarde	...	Melville Farr
Sylvia Syms	...	Laura
Dennis Price	...	Calloway
Anthony Nicholls	...	Lord Fullbrook
Peter Copley	...	Paul Mandrake
Norman Bird	...	Harold Doe
Peter McEnery	...	Barrett
Donald Churchill	...	Eddy
Derren Nesbitt	...	Sandy Youth
John Barrie	...	Det.Inspector Harris
John Cairney	...	Bridie
Alan MacNaughton	...	Scott Hankin (as Alan MacNaughtan)
Nigel Stock	...	Phip
Frank Pettitt	...	Barman (as Frank Pettit)
Mavis Villiers	...	Madge

Storyline

A plea for reform of England's anti-sodomy statutes, this film pits Melville Farr, a married lawyer, against a blackmailer who has photos of Farr and a young gay man (who is being blackmailed and later commits suicide)in Farr's car. After the suicide, Farr tracks down other gay men being extorted for money by the same blackmailer. The well-educated police Detective Inspector Harris considers the sodomy law nothing more than an aid to blackmailers, and helps Farr in calling his blackmailer's bluff. The movie, far ahead of its time, ends with Farr and his wife coming to terms with his homosexuality after the public exposure he faces in the blackmailer's trial.

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Plot Keywords:

blackmailer | gay | homosexual | blackmail | police | 

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Taglines:

A Daring Picture About the World's Most Un-talked About Subject.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 October 1961 (Denmark)

Also Known As:

Der Teufelskreis

Filming Locations:

Cambridge Circus, Covent Garden, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Allied Film Makers (AFM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min 100 min (pre-censored) 96 min (video)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The comment about the rage of Caliban is a reference to the character from "The Tempest" by William Shakespeare.

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Goofs

When the taxi leaves to take the blackmailer back to base to count the loot, the next shot shows the watching policemen about to give chase, with the same taxi parked on the street behind them.

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Quotes

Detective Inspector Harris: Someone once called this law against homosexuality the blackmailer's charter.
Melville Farr: Is that how you feel about it?
Detective Inspector Harris: I'm a policeman, sir. I don't have feelings.

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Connections

Featured in The Celluloid Closet (1995)

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Soundtracks

"Long Stringy Baby"
(uncredited)
Written by Trevor Peacock

User Reviews

Engrossing, intriguing drama

Straightforward, non-sensationalized British film, an original from screenwriters Janet Green and John McCormick, has a ring of blackmailers taking advantage of the laws prohibiting homosexuality in England and threatening to 'out' certain parties if they don't pay up; after one victim commits suicide, a former friend--and married lawyer--decides to play detective and expose the blackmailers, at the risk of ruining his own career and marriage. Dirk Bogarde is excellent in the lead; his grimace of both humility and humiliation is rather touching, and very human. The victims are the usual lot (an actor, a hairdresser, etc.), but the film is exceptionally engrossing and well-made, neatly camouflaging its plea for tolerance under the guise of a suspense drama (and the denouement is nicely staged). Director Basil Dearden includes a few intentionally sardonic visuals, and he isn't afraid to knock down walls (though any male-to-male intimacy stays off-screen). Still, a watermark for gay cinema. *** from ****