Bent (1997)

Director:

Sean Mathias

Writers:

Martin Sherman (play)
Martin Sherman (screenplay)

Release Date:

26 November 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance | War

Plot:

Max is gay and as such is sent to Dachau concentration camp under the Nazi regime. He tries to deny...

Plot Keywords:

Gay | Love | Nazi | Concentration Camp | Train

Awards:

4 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Clive Owen	...	Max
Lothaire Bluteau	...	Horst
Ian McKellen	...	Uncle Freddie
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau	...	Wolf (as Nikolaj Waldau)
Mick Jagger	...	Greta / George
Brian Webber	...	Rudy
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
Johanna Kirby	...	Muttering woman
David Phelan	...	Fluff in park

MPAA:

Rated NC-17 for a strong scene of graphic sexuality.; Rated R for strong sexuality including explicit sexual dialogue, some brutal violence, language and drug use. (edited version)

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

UK | Japan

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Finland:K-18 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (British Columbia) | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:18A (Alberta) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:R (Manitoba) | Germany:16 (f) | Japan:R-18 | New Zealand:R18 | Australia:R | Brazil:14 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:NC-17 | USA:R (cut) | Portugal:M/16

Filming Locations:

Dalmellington, Ayrshire, Scotland, UK

Company:

Arts Council of England

Trivia:

David Dukes was nominated for the 1980 Tony Award (New York City) for Supporting or Features Actor in a Drama for "Bent" for his role as Horst.

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.

Soundtrack:

STREETS OF BERLIN

Very difficult to watch...

Only half way through this film did I remember having seen a small theatre production of the play in Los Angeles a dozen years ago. I only remembered when the rock-moving scenes began. I don't recall being particularly moved by the play -- it may have been a condensed 1-act version or something. I only remember thinking it was too "talky." But, the film was very powerful and moving and enraged me! I'm also older and more aware of prejudice on every level. Every gay person...or minority of any kind (race, religion, etc.) should see this film just to remind them (us) of just HOW BAD it can get and how "humans" can become such sick animals as the Nazis were in this film. I kept thinking: "Hey, how can they keep blaming Hitler, when he was not there ordering the guards to torture and ENJOY hurting people like that?" Powerful film!