Bent (1997)
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67% of critics liked it
(21 reviews) -
76% of users liked it
(7,893 ratings)
Sean Mathias directed this screen adaptation of Martin Sherman's award-winning play about the persecution of homosexuals by Nazis during World War II. In Germany, the Nazi party's program of genocide against any and all perceived "enemies" is coming into full swing when the party… More Sean Mathias directed this screen adaptation of Martin Sherman's award-winning play about the persecution of homosexuals by Nazis during World War II. In Germany, the Nazi party's program of genocide against any and all perceived "enemies" is coming into full swing when the party begins a violent purge of homosexuals in its membership. Max (Clive Owen), a bisexual playboy, is attending an orgy thrown by drag queen "Greta" (Mick Jagger) and featuring a number of party members when the festivities are raided by the police; Max and his lover Rudy (Brian Webber) escape, but they are later arrested and sentenced to a concentration camp. En route to the camp, Max betrays Rudy and arranges to be given a yellow identification star, marking him as a Jew, instead of a pink triangle, which would signify him as gay; while the Jews are destined to be executed, gay prisoners receive even more brutal treatment from the guards. While incarcerated, Max meets Horst (Lothaire Bluteau), an inmate who proudly wears the pink triangle. Max and Horst fall in love with each other, and Horst's bravery leads Max to accept his sexual identity. Bent was released in two versions; the original cut was rated NC-17 for a sequence featuring strong sexual content, while a trimmed version was granted an R. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Sean Mathias
- Written By
- Martin Sherman
- Genres
- Drama, Romance
- In Theaters
- Nov 26, 1997 Wide
- Studio
- MGM Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Emanuel Levy, Variety
The screen version of Sherman's play about homosexuals in Nazi Germany shows that tyro director Mathias doesn't know much about film for his erratic approach and inconsistent style bring out the play's weaknesses, though the acting is good.
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Brandon Judell, PopcornQ
brave, brilliantly effective movie which has the added bonus of a crinkled Mick Jagger singing in drag while swinging from a ceiling.
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Luke Y. Thompson, New Times
Tired of gay rights movies and Holocaust flicks? This is both, but it still enthralls.
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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Stylized yet substantive drama about the plight of homosexuals in the Holocaust.
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Cast
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Clive Owen
as Max
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Lothaire Bluteau
as Horst
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Brian Webber
as Rudy
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Ian McKellen
as Uncle Freddie
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Mick Jagger
as Greta/George
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Holly Davidson
as Girl on Train
- Gresby Nash
- Jude Law
- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
- Paul Bettany
- Suzanne Bertish
- Nukaka