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IMDbPro

Vito

  • 20112011
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
740
YOUR RATING
Vito Russo in Vito (2011)
The story of Vito Russo, founding father of the gay liberation movement, author of "The Celluloid Closet," and vociferous AIDS activist in the 1980s.
Play trailer0:47
2 Videos
10 Photos
  • Documentary
  • Biography
  • History
The story of Vito Russo, founding father of the gay liberation movement, author of "The Celluloid Closet," and vociferous AIDS activist in the 1980s.The story of Vito Russo, founding father of the gay liberation movement, author of "The Celluloid Closet," and vociferous AIDS activist in the 1980s.The story of Vito Russo, founding father of the gay liberation movement, author of "The Celluloid Closet," and vociferous AIDS activist in the 1980s.
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
740
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Jeffrey Schwarz
  • Stars
    • Phyllis Antonellis
    • George Bancroft
    • Richard Barrios
Top credits
  • Director
    • Jeffrey Schwarz
  • Stars
    • Phyllis Antonellis
    • George Bancroft
    • Richard Barrios
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 6User reviews
    • 36Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 5 wins & 5 nominations

    Videos2

    U.S. Version
    Trailer 0:47
    U.S. Version
    Vito
    Trailer 2:25
    Vito

    Photos10

    Vito Russo in Vito (2011)
    Vito Russo in Vito (2011)
    Vito Russo in Vito (2011)
    Vito Russo in Vito (2011)
    Vito Russo in Vito (2011)
    Vito Russo in Vito (2011)
    Vito Russo in Vito (2011)
    Bette Midler and Vito Russo in Vito (2011)
    Vito (2011)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Phyllis Antonellis
    • Self - Cousinas Self - Cousin
    George Bancroft
    George Bancroft
    • Bill Baileyas Bill Bailey
    Richard Barrios
    • Selfas Self
    Edmund Bergler
    • Self - Psychoanalyst, Writeras Self - Psychoanalyst, Writer
    • (archive footage)
    • (as Edmund Bergler M.D.)
    Richard Berkowitz
    • Self - Authoras Self - Author
    Lenny Bloom
    • Self - Friend & Lawyeras Self - Friend & Lawyer
    • (as Leonard Bloom)
    Jay Blotcher
    • Selfas Self
    Malcolm Boyd
    • Selfas Self
    • (as Reverend Malcolm Boyd)
    Stephen Boyd
    Stephen Boyd
    • Messalaas Messala
    Joseph Brewer
    • Selfas Self
    Lee Brewster
    • Self - Queens Liberation Frontas Self - Queens Liberation Front
    • (archive footage)
    Tom Brokaw
    Tom Brokaw
    • Selfas Self
    • (archive footage)
    Billie Burke
    Billie Burke
    • Glindaas Glinda
    Marcus A. Conant
    • Selfas Self
    • (archive footage)
    Jane Darwell
    Jane Darwell
    • Mrs. Winchell - Jack's Motheras Mrs. Winchell - Jack's Mother
    Bette Davis
    Bette Davis
    • Judith Traherneas Judith Traherne
    Doris Day
    Doris Day
      Frances Dee
      Frances Dee
      • Elaine Talbartas Elaine Talbart
      • Director
        • Jeffrey Schwarz
      • All cast & crew
      • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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      Storyline

      Edit

      Did you know

      Edit
      • Trivia
        Arnie Kantrowitz is listed two different ways on screen, first as "Friend," and second as "Vice President, Gay Activists Alliance."
      • Connections
        Features Dickson Experimental Sound Film (1894)
      • Soundtracks
        Friends
        Written by Buzzy Linhart and Mark Klingman

        Performed by Bette Midler

      User reviews6

      Review
      Top review
      9/10
      Superb
      The subject of this U.S. documentary is Vito Russo, a gay activist in the early days of gay liberation and an AIDS activist in the 1980s shortly before his death in 1990. He was also a film lover and had written "The Celluloid Closet" which exposed how early film-makers in Hollywood were restricted from being direct about gay characters in their films.

      This film is superb in many ways - not only for the fascinating subject but mostly for the amazing film footage and photos used throughout. Interviews with those who knew him were also very moving. Some of the best excerpts included those of my favourite performer Lily Tomlin. They included her comedy sketches and interviews with her as she was a great friend and collaborator of Russo.

      Although the 60s, 70s, and 80s were a very volatile and difficult period in different ways, this era is also one of the most fascinating times in recent history. The film "Vito" does this era justice by not just exposing it but evoking the feisty spirit as well.

      Rating: 9 out of 10

      Notable Achievement: Film Footage Collection
      helpful•2
      0
      • proud_luddite
      • Oct 10, 2020

      Details

      Edit
      • Release date
        • October 14, 2011 (United States)
      • Country of origin
        • United States
      • Official sites
        • Official distributor's page for the film. (Germany)
        • Official distributor's page for the film. (United States)
      • Language
        • English
      • Also known as
        • Na gej heroj - Vito
      • Filming locations
        • Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
      • Production companies
        • Automat Pictures
        • Making it Big
      • See more company credits at IMDbPro

      Technical specs

      Edit
      • Runtime
        1 hour 33 minutes
      • Color
        • Color

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