Christopher and His Kind (TV 2011)

In 1931 budding author Christopher Isherwood goes to Berlin at the invitation of his friend W. H. Auden for the gay sex that abounds in the city. Whilst working as an English teacher his ... See full summary »

Director:

Geoffrey Sax

Writers:

Christopher Isherwood (based on the book by), Kevin Elyot

Stars:

Matt Smith, Imogen Poots, Lindsay Duncan

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matt Smith	...	Christopher Isherwood
Imogen Poots	...	Jean Ross
Lindsay Duncan	...	Kathleen Isherwood
Perry Millward	...	Richard Isherwood
Toby Jones	...	Gerald Hamilton
Pip Carter	...	W. H. Auden
Alexander Doetsch Dreymon	...	Caspar (as Alexander Doetsch)
Faolan Morgan	...	Pieps
Issy Van Randwyck	...	Frl. Thurau
Clare Louise Connolly	...	Frl. Schmidt
Maggie Hayes	...	Frl. Mayr
Iddo Goldberg	...	Wilfrid Landauer
Will Kemp	...	Bobby Gilbert
Douglas Booth	...	Heinz Neddermayer
Gertrude Thoma	...	Fr. Neddermayer

Storyline

In 1931 budding author Christopher Isherwood goes to Berlin at the invitation of his friend W. H. Auden for the gay sex that abounds in the city. Whilst working as an English teacher his housemates include bewigged old queen Gerald Hamilton and would-be actress Jean Ross,who sings tunelessly in a seedy cabaret club. They and others he meets get put into his stories. After a fling with sexy rent boy Caspar he falls for street sweeper Heinz,paying medical bills for the boy's sickly mother, to the disapproval of her other son,Nazi Gerhardt. With Fascism rapidly rising Christopher returns to London with Heinz but is unable to prevent his return to Germany when his visa expires. Years later Christopher,now a successful writer,returns to Berlin for a final meeting with Heinz,now married with children.

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Plot Keywords:

gay | sex | gay sex | actress | cabaret | 

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Taglines:

A Seminal Journey of Self-Discovery.

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 March 2011 (UK)

Also Known As:

Christopher et Heinz

Filming Locations:

Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mammoth Screen

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Because Matt Smith filmed this (BBC) movie during his break from playing the lead character in the BBC's hit television series "Doctor Who," the BBC gave Geoffrey Sax, this movie's director, strict instructions that Smith was never allowed to be shown nude. In a newspaper interview, Sax said, "They told me I must not show Doctor Who's bare bottom. They were quite firm about that, even though Matt was playing an entirely different character. They have invested a lot in him as the 11th Doctor and were due to make a second series with him, so they were obviously anxious to protect their property."

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Goofs

Landauer mispronounces Adolf Hitler's name. As a native German speaker, only learning English, he wouldn't have done such a mistake.

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Connections

Featured in Breakfast: Episode dated 18 March 2011 (2011)

User Reviews

Christopher and His Kind is an uplifting movie

Christopher and His Kind is not a heartfelt, moving film about homophobia and homosexuals being persecuted by the Nazis. However, it is a movie about a gay writer who travels to a war- torn Berlin all for the sake of boys. The main character, Christopher, goes to Berlin in search for freedom (and gay, gay sex) from his safe hometown of London giving up being a doctor in return for sexual freedom and promiscuity.

Is it vain, you may ask. Yes. Is it reckless? Completely. Is it completely stupid considering there's a war going on in Berlin? Of course. And does Christopher completely ignore this and go on crusading and falling in love? Yep. To understand this movie you must first understand Isherwood, there is a reason why they chose Matt Smith and not bloody Johnny Depp. You should watch this movie and see for yourself, it's humor and optimism set on a backdrop of war and genocide. If you want a poignant, moving story on homosexuality in the midst of the Nazis, go watch something else. This is a lighthearted look into Christoph Isherwood's mind and motives, a biography, not a history book.

TL;DR: It's funny, it's gay, it's insightful and inspiring. It's not heartfelt, moving or depressing, but it is kind of incredible.