Bent Movie Review 1997

Theatre director Mathias makes his film debut with Sherman's adaptation of his 1979 play. Gay playboy Max (Owen) is enjoying the nightlife in decadent Berlin--until the Nazi crackdown. Soon, Max is in a cattle car on his way to Dachau, where he passes himself off as Jewish, thinking he'll be treated better. However Horst (Bluteau), who befriended Max on the train, is openly part of the pink triangle prisoners. Still, Max gets Horst assigned to the same meaningless hard labor and the duo fall in love--without ever being allowed to touch. Good performances (with Jagger notable in a brief role as a drag star) but the lingering staginess is to the film's detriment. An R-rated version is also available.

Distribution

Orion Home Video, MGM, 2500 Broadway, 3515, Santa Monica, CA 90404-3036, Phone: (310)449-3000, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS
Running time 104 minutes.
Originally from British.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Adapted from a Play, Gays, Concentration/Internment Camps, Berlin, Sex & Sexuality

Screenplay

Martin Sherman

Cast

Clive Owen, Lothaire Bluteau, Ian McKellen, Brian Webber, Mick Jagger, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Paul Bettany

Cinematography

Yorgos Arvanitis

Director

Sean Mathias

Music

Philip Glass

Other

Jude Law, Rupert Graves

Producer

Hisami Kuriowa, Michael Solinger, Dixie Linder, Sarah Radclyffe, Channel Four Film, Goldwyn Entertainment Company