The Celluloid Closet (1995)

96% of critics liked it
(24 reviews)
86% of users liked it
(3,544 ratings)

Based on Vito Russo's groundbreaking 1981 work of film history, The Celluloid Closet gathers clips from dozens of mainstream Hollywood films to illustrate how the movies have dealt explicitly -- and more importantly, implicitly -- with gay and lesbian themes. Layered between the clips are interviews… More Based on Vito Russo's groundbreaking 1981 work of film history, The Celluloid Closet gathers clips from dozens of mainstream Hollywood films to illustrate how the movies have dealt explicitly -- and more importantly, implicitly -- with gay and lesbian themes. Layered between the clips are interviews with filmmakers whose works have touched on that subject. The popular films of the Golden Age could only hint at homosexuality and often portrayed gays as simpering characters, objects of scorn or merriment, or insidious villains. With the strictures of the old Production Code loosening, bolder presentations were possible, but often over the objections of studio executives who feared a public backlash against a film that dealt with a long taboo subject. Among the films discussed are Philadelphia, The Children's Hour, Making Love, Rope, and Spartacus. Gore Vidal, Tom Hanks, Susan Sarandon, and director John Schlesinger are among the film's strongest interview subjects. ~ Tom Wiener, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 41 min.
Directed By: Jeffrey Friedman, Rob Epstein
Genres: Documentary, Television, Gay & Lesbian

In Theaters: Mar 15, 1996 Wide
On DVD: May 29, 2001
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Makes it clear Hollywood wanted it both ways: It benefitted from the richness that gays added to films, but didn't want to acknowledge their sexuality.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Top-notch entertainment, not only because it's enjoyable, but because it argues its case with an effectiveness that would impress even a top-notch, homophobic attorney.
Stanley Kauffmann, New Republic
It's interesting to see how gay and lesbian themes began to be treated openly in films, but it's fascinating to see how -- earlier -- those themes were used subtextually in films that make no overt reference to the real subject.
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
Even if The Celluloid Closet ... isn't quite the most perfectly political piece of filmmaking that you'd expect (or hoped) it would be, it's still a pretty convincing argument and, what's more, likably entertaining.
Rob Nelson, City Pages, Minneapolis/St. Paul
How ironic that a movie about the dangers of the closet would so confine one's freedom of interpretation.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Instead of an angry diatribe against Hollywood, the film shrewdly opts for a wity, often campy commentary by gay figures (Gore Vidal), directors (Wyler) and actors (Tom Hanks) who shed light on the context in which these films were made and viewed.
Mark Bourne, DVDJournal.com
It's engrossing, brings a healthy sense of humor to the discussion, and enlightening without being bludgeoning.
Mark Bourne, DVDJournal.com
Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment's DVD ... arrives with a fine transfer of pristine source material in its original full-screen 1.33:1 aspect ratio.... The extras offer a strong variety of supporting supplements....
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
An engaging documentary touching on Hollywood's on screen treatment of homosexuality.
Michael A. Smith, Nolan's Pop Culture Review
Rock Hudson was gay? Who knew?
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Entertaining but ultimately shallow.
Patrick Byrne, Apollo Guide
Like a scrapbook of movie memorabilia from some of the greatest films ever made, it's a welcome look back at the ever-changing times of the world around us.

Read all 12 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Randy T

"It's amazing how, if you're a gay audience and you're accustomed to crumbs, how you will watch an entire movie just to see someone wear an outfit that you think means that they are a homosexual. The whole movie may be a dud but you are just sitting there waiting… More
"It's amazing how, if you're a gay audience and you're accustomed to crumbs, how you will watch an entire movie just to see someone wear an outfit that you think means that they are a homosexual. The whole movie may be a dud but you are just sitting there waiting for Joan Crawford to put on her black cowboy shirt again." -Susie Bright An interesting documentary that enabled me to view some of my favorite films from a different perspective.
Ken S

Great documentary on the history of Gay Film
Lafe F

A huge collection of clips from Hollywood's past, some subtle and some blatant in their homosexual themes. It is a touching and revealing look at gay subtext, which can sometimes be amusing when it becomes obvious. It drags a bit long, but is well put together.
Michael G

This documentary makes you realize how gay old movies can be.
Lesley N

Documentary about the presence (or lack thereof) of gay men & women in Hollywood film, starting with the silent era all the way through to Tom Hanks kissing Antonio Banderas. Interesting.
Laura C

A great documentary! Incredibly interesting look at homosexuality in film from silent pictures up to 1995, when this was made. I'd like to see this documentary updated to include the past 10 years, it would be interesting to see if/how perceptions have changed. It's really… More
A great documentary! Incredibly interesting look at homosexuality in film from silent pictures up to 1995, when this was made. I'd like to see this documentary updated to include the past 10 years, it would be interesting to see if/how perceptions have changed. It's really funny to realize how prudish Hollywood is compared to the rest of the world.
Sunil J

Such a cool documentary! Great interviews, clips from the movies being discussed. So much insight into movies I never thought twice about.
Wu C

A look into the evolution of homosexuality in hollywood.

Read all 8 featured audience ratings

Cast
            
            Antonio Banderas
            
            Quentin Crisp as Interviewee

            Antonio Fargas as Interviewee

            Whoopi Goldberg as Interviewee

            Farley Granger as Interviewee

            Harry Hamlin as Interviewee

            Shirley MacLaine as Interviewee

            Susan Sarandon as Interviewee

            Sharon Stone
            
            Jay Presson Allen as Interviewee

            Mart Crowley as Interviewee

            Tony Curtis as Interviewee

            Harvey Fierstein as Interviewee

            Tom Hanks as Interviewee

            Arthur Laurents as Interviewee

            Daniel Melnick as Interviewee

            Ron Nyswaner
            
            Jan Oxenberg as Interviewee

            Barry Sandler (II) as Interviewee

            John Schlesinger as Interviewee

            Lily Tomlin as Narrator

            Gore Vidal as Interviewee

            Paul Rudnick as Interviewee

            Joseph Breen as Interviewee

            Susie Bright as Interviewee

            Richard Dyer as Interviewee

            Stewart Stern
            
            Armistead Maupin
            
See full cast

Trailers & Clips

Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!

Discover movies your friends are watching
Keep track of what you want to see
Add your reviews to your Timeline

Get Started