Bent (1997)

Max is gay and as such is sent to Dachau concentration camp under the Nazi regime. He tries to deny he is gay and gets a yellow label (the one for Jews) instead of pink (the one for gays). ... See full summary »

Director:

Sean Mathias

Writers:

Martin Sherman (screenplay), Martin Sherman (play)

Stars:

Mick Jagger, Clive Owen, Brian Webber

4 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mick Jagger	...	Greta
Clive Owen	...	Max
Brian Webber	...	Rudy
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau	...	Wolf (as Nikolaj Waldau)
Jude Law	...	Stormtrooper
Gresby Nash	...	Waiter
Suzanne Bertish	...	Half-Woman - Half-Man
David Meyer	...	Gestapo Man
Stefan Marling	...	SS Captain
Richard Laing	...	SS Guard
Crispian Belfrage	...	SS Guard
Ian McKellen	...	Uncle Freddie
Johanna Kirby	...	Muttering Woman
David Phelan	...	Fluff in Park
Peter Stark	...	Guard 1 on Train

Storyline

Max is gay and as such is sent to Dachau concentration camp under the Nazi regime. He tries to deny he is gay and gets a yellow label (the one for Jews) instead of pink (the one for gays). In camp he falls in love with his fellow prisoner Horst, who wears his pink label with pride.

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Plot Keywords:

gay | prisoner | dachau concentration camp | dachau | love | 

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Taglines:

The stunning film adaptation of Martin Sherman's award-winning play.

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Genres:

Drama | History | Romance | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated NC-17 for a strong scene of graphic sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

UK Japan

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 November 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Akumim

Filming Locations:

Dalmellington, Ayrshire, Scotland, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$145,222 (USA) (28 November 1997)

Gross:

$372,341 (USA) (26 December 1997)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Channel Four Films, NDF Inc., Ask Kodansha Company Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The original Broadway play on which this filmed production was based, "Bent" opened at the New Apollo Theater in New York on December 2, 1979 and ran for 241 performances. "Bent" the play, which the film screenplay was based upon, was written by Martin Sherman, and was nominated for the 1980 Tony Award for Best Play.

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Quotes

Gestapo man: Here you will work here.
Horst: Yes sir.
Gestapo man: He'll explain.
Horst: Yes sir.
Gestapo man: I'm watching.
Horst: Yes sir.
Gestapo man: I see everything.
Horst: Yes sir.

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Crazy Credits

The film opens with the main credits revealing like a searchlight.

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Connections

Referenced in The Bubble (2006)

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Soundtracks

"STREETS OF BERLIN"
Written by Martin Sherman, Philip Glass
Performed by Mick Jagger, piano by Matt Clifford

User Reviews

Must See!!!

What can I possibly say about this movie that would not bring me to tears. This movie was very powerful and thought provoking. I just could not understand the hatred for human beings, just because of what religion, sexual orientation, or whether they had a big nose. I just can't for the life of me figured that out. I guess I will never figure it out.

There were some very strong scenes in this movie that tugged at my heart. The ridiculous killing of men and women for no apparent reason other than what I said above. The never ending work the prisoners did was just unspeakable. The conditions, and also the ever popular "no touching each other". The latter is the most difficult to endure for two gay men captured and put to work in the concentration camps. In one powerful scene, that I have to admit I watched over and over about five times, during one of Max and Horst's (main stars) rock moving extravaganza's, they are allowed a three minute rest period while working a twelve hour shift. They are not allowed to look at each other, they must stand up straight looking ahead (some rest period huh). Well without giving away the scene. They have what we would call very graphic and arousing phone sex. And I have to tell you, I was right there with them. This scene really brought these two prisoners much closer together and very much in love. It was beautiful.

I have a couple of things that bothered me in this movie. I really hated the way the SS men spoke to the prisoners. I mean, one word sentences like "You" - "Walk" - "Friend?" - or "Watching You". I mean for a people who claimed to be the superior race, these guys were not intelligent at all. Also the fake train outtakes that were obviously superimposed into the movie. The scenes themselves were in black and white which told the audience that they were not from the original film, but from some other movie.

Overall, this movie was profoundly incredible. It is a must see for everyone, no matter what the content of the movie - gays, murder, sex, SS men, Hitler's BS , concentration camps. You have to watch this movie with an open heart and mind to actually feel for these people, not just because they were two gay men in love and pain, because they were human beings first and foremost. 7.5 out **********. See it, you will not be disappointed.