British Gay and Lesbian Film

Few gay and lesbian-themed films were made in Britain before male homosexuality was decriminalised in the UK under the Sexual Offences Act in 1967.

One courageous exception was Victim made in 1961. It stars Dirk Bogarde as a barrister who, after becoming entwined in a case involving the blackmail of gay men, comes out to his wife. Many... show more >

Few gay and lesbian-themed films were made in Britain before male homosexuality was decriminalised in the UK under the Sexual Offences Act in 1967.

One courageous exception was Victim made in 1961. It stars Dirk Bogarde as a barrister who, after becoming entwined in a case involving the blackmail of gay men, comes out to his wife. Many believe the film’s sympathetic portrayal of homosexuals helped change the law.

In the 1970s mainstream British television started representing gay people, albeit often in a stereotypical light (e.g. Are You Being Served?). A more positive (though no less camp) portrait was offered by The Naked Civil Servant, with John Hurt on BAFTA-winning form as Quentin Crisp. A more politicised queer cinema emerged in the Thatcherite 1980s, with Derek Jarman (Caravaggio) emerging as a major auteur.

Beautiful Thing (1996), a wonderful gay love story set on a Thamesmead council estate, often tops ‘Best Gay Movies’ polls, while a passionate lesbian love story arrived in the 2000s with My Summer of Love. TV hits such as The Line of Beauty and Fingersmith demonstrate that gay-themed dramas can win huge audiences. < show less