Victim
Directed by Basil Dearden
Written by Janet Green and John McCormick
1961/UK
Allied Film Makers
First viewing/Netflix
[box] Frank: Well it used to be witches. At least they don’t burn you.[/box]
Dirk Bogarde is fantastic in this exploration of the consequences of intolerance.
As the story begins, we are introduced to Barrett, a young man on the run. He keeps calling barrister Melville Farr (Bogarde). When Farr finally does take his call, he threatens to call the police if Barrett calls again. This does not deter Barrett from calling Farr’s house and leaving a message with his wife Laura (Sylvia Syms). We gradually learn that Barrett is fleeing the police who are after him for embezzlement. The police also suspect that he is a blackmail victim since he lives simply. Barrett’s arrest leads to tragedy.
Farr is a closeted homosexual (who denies ever succumbing to his desires) and the tragedy moves him to take action. This takes him and us into London’s gay subculture. Most of its denizens would prefer paying blackmail to jail where revelation of their “crime” would surely take them. With Dennis Price as a gay actor.
Victim is a sad but powerful film. I love Bogarde and he is at his haunted best here. The stigma of being gay hurt so many people, including the women caught up in the struggle to appear “normal”. I’m glad I have lived to see a new day.
This was an immensely brave film for its time – the first to utter the word “homosexual” and to treat homosexuals sympathetically. Bogarde was brave to have made it. Straight actors had rejected the part and it could have lead to unpleasant suspicions about Bogarde, who was gay himself.
I rented this but it is also available on FilmStruck. Recommended.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPXjIySzzC8
Trailer
