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

Having played the role of Max in the original Broadway production of "Bent," Richard Gere was the original choice of the producers for the same role in the film, but having already contracted to appear in Red Corner, which was filming in China, and The Jackal, filming in various countries in Europe, Gere was unavailable for the shooting schedule of Bent, the film, which necessitated choosing another actor for the role, and ultimately Clive Owen was chosen.

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Quotes

Max: Ever go to the Silhouette?
Horst: Yes.
Max: I never saw you there.
Horst: You weren't looking.
Max: Greta's Club?
Horst: No.
Max: Good, you had taste. The White Mouse?
Horst: Sometimes.
Max: I'm surprised you never saw me there. Did you sunbathe?
Horst: I love to sunbathe.
[...]

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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

An Unusual Depiction of Persecutions In Nazi Germany

Its always the Jew's travail I hear about concerning the Nazi Germany Period, but other GROUPS apparently got treated miserably as well, and this movie deals with one of them.

Pathos, tremendous camera action (black/white & technicolor), superb character acting, excellent thematic development and flow, and perfect music accompaniment.

I will see it again.