VICTIM
Basil Dearden’s ground breaking thriller Victim was first released in 1961. With its location shooting, noirish lighting, and doomed characters, it was instrumental in paving the way for the legalisation of homosexuality in Britain. Dirk Bogarde, Britain’s most reveared matinee idol, risked his career to portray Melville Farr, a closeted gay lawyer, at a time when homosexual acts were a crime. When his former lover Jack is blackmailed, Farr – who is married – agrees to investigate. The case is complicated by his fear of being exposed and a sudden mysterious death. In addition to its pioneering treatment of a long-repressed crime, Victim is also notable for its sympathetic and non-stereotypical depictions gay men.
Year of production: 1961
Duration: 101 minutes
Credits
- Basil DEARDEN Director
- John MCCORMICK Screenplay
- Janet GREEN Screenplay
- Otto HELLER Cinematography
- Philip GREEN Music
- John D. GUTHRIDGE Editing
- Alex VETCHINSKY Production Design
Casting
- Sylvia SYMS Laura
- Dennis PRICE Calloway
- Peter MCENERY Barrett
- Nigel STOCK Phip
- Dirk BOGARDE Melville Farr
Images
Contacts
Production
- ALLIED FILM MAKERS
International Press
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PARK CIRCUS LIMITED
T: 44 1413322175www.parkcircus.com
SARA CARLSSONsara@parkcircus.com
Distribution
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CARLOTTA FILMS
T: 0142241086https://carlottafilms.cominfo@carlottafilms.com
International sales
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PARK CIRCUS LIMITED
T: 44 1413322175www.parkcircus.cominfo@parkcircus.com