The Times of Harvey Milk (1984)

A documentary of the successful career and assassination of San Francisco's first elected gay councilor.

Director:

Rob Epstein

Writers:

Judith Coburn (narration writer), Carter Wilson (narration writer),

Stars:

Harvey Milk, Harvey Fierstein, Anne Kronenberg

Won 1 Oscar. Another 8 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Harvey Milk	...	Himself (archive footage)
Harvey Fierstein	...	Narrator (voice)
Anne Kronenberg	...	Herself
Tory Hartmann	...	Herself
Tom Ammiano	...	Himself
Jim Elliot	...	Himself
Henry Der	...	Himself
Jeannine Yeomans	...	Herself
Bill Kraus	...	Himself
Sally M. Gearhart	...	Herself
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
John Briggs	...	Himself (archive footage)
Jerry Brown	...	Himself (archive footage)
Jimmy Carter	...	Himself (archive footage)
Dianne Feinstein	...	Herself (archive footage) (as Mayor Dianne Feinstein)
David Fowler	...	Himself - TV Interviewer of Dan White (archive footage)

Storyline

Member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors Harvey Milk and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone were assassinated by Supervisor Dan White on November 27, 1978. Milk's life leading up to his election, his successful efforts to politically represent San Francisco's gay community, and the city's reaction to the assassinations are documented with extensive news film and personal recollections.

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Plot Keywords:

gay | assassination | harvey milk | gay rights | politician | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Biography | History

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Telling Pictures official website

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 September 1985 (Finland)

Also Known As:

Czasy Harveya Milka

Filming Locations:

San Francisco, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$6,851 (USA) (20 October 2000)

Gross:

$13,561 (USA) (27 October 2000)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Black Sand Productions, Pacific Arts, UCLA Film and Television Archive

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

[first lines]
Dianne Feinstein: As president of the board of supervisors, it's my duty to make this announcement. Both Mayor Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk have been shot and killed. The suspect is Supervisor Dan White.

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Connections

Referenced in Fabulous! The Story of Queer Cinema (2006)

User Reviews

Best documentary ever made

STUNNING. That's the only word to describe this film. If you haven't seen it, prepare to be amazed. Clear the room and remove any distractions because you won't want to miss a second of this remarkable recounting of the Harvey Milk story. Prepare to cry and scream, because you will do both.

"The Times of Harvey Milk" covers a bit of American history that almost NO Americans seem to know about, and this is a tragedy. Everyone should know about these events, and the astonishing, beautiful people who participated in them. Perhaps the most stunning moment to me comes when a red-haired straight woman, who became a frequent customer in Harvey Milk's camera & film-processing shop, recalls the night after Milk and Mayor Mosconi were killed. Her description, her face, and her tears make me cry every time I see it. And when Dan White was given a slap on the wrist for murdering Milk and Mayor George Mosconi... because the jurors thought he was under the influence of too many TWINKIES... the city erupted. The film of these riots is stunning, and you may find yourself wishing that you could be there with the rioters who STOOD UP to this historic injustice and demonstrated their rage.

People of all ages and all political persuasions will find this film a remarkable document of an important bit of American history. I believe it is essential viewing for all.