Victim
Dir: Basil Dearden
1961
*****
Victim is of huge cultural importance because at the time (1961) it made a shocking revelation; Homosexuals are normal. Shocking I know but sadly for the time this was something that was generally thought and was supported by the fact that it was in fact illegal to partake in acts of Homosexuality. We've come a long way from that but there is still a long way to go. Although Victim doesn't feel like it's about homosexuality as such, and the reason why it didn't actually cause much of a stir in the UK was because the message was somewhat hidden in the overall story of bribery and revenge. It is a beautifully shot noir thriller, full of suspense and drama but it is also a very accurate and successful representation of how Homosexuals lived (in fear) and how they were viewed. It's a fascinating slice of history and a brilliant bit of film making. My favorite characters by far were the two partners P.H. and Micky, whose deadpan banter work as perfect and subtle narration at each chapter of the story. Milestone cinema, suitably subtle and ripe for discussion. This film deserves to be revisited and/or discovered by a new generation.