MovieChat Forums > Another Country Discussion > I dunno......

I dunno......

posted 18 years ago by shoeihell
28 replies | jump to latest

To me, this is yet another reexamination of the British ‘class system’. It was an interesting story, but obviously being filmed in the 80's, they didn't want to show anything more physical/gay with the boys other than lying together in the bottom of a boat in full clothes. I guess you could argue that was in keeping with the play, but I craved more.

On the one hand we're supposed to feel sympathy for the boys who are caught up in living the lives of their parents before them and what their 'well-bred' parents want them to be. Notice in some of the 'smoking room' scenes where the boys are so into playing adult roles, that they all stick their hands into their pockets at the same time-as if on cue. Also, we're given the fact that so many of the boys have had gay sex with the one character(Guy)that he can blackmail them all if he wanted to-classic hypocrisy of the rich. It's all pretty boring really, to see the depiction of rich boys at play. The only salient part of the movie for me was when Guy took the caning because he loved James so much that he didn't want his name and reputation sullied-that dialog was heart wrenching and realisitc. And to that end, I would have liked to see more of the actual romance and less of the privileged posturing going on.

Even the 'sex scene' at the beginning when the two boys are caught-both with sweaty faces, humping and yet both with their underwear still intact but their trousers down, is a concession to the barely mentionable, unseen act of homosexuality in 80's films (safer for the producer/director). What exactly were they supposed to be doing...dry humping?? I'm pretty sure, although I didn't live in that period, that the methods of gay sex were much like we practice today, correct?

[–] confusedcat_05 18 years ago

Well, I'd rather not see the contact physically. The movie is beautifully filmed and I prefer not ruining the atmosphere.

[–] shoeihell 18 years ago

"Ruining the atmosphere" to show physical contact??? Is that because they were gay or you just have a 'thing' for showing physical contact in movies? Give me a break, I've seen nothing but 'physical contact' all my life in hetero movies. It always has its place if it’s done tastefully and deserves to be in gay movies as well.

[–] confusedcat_05 18 years ago

It always has its place if it's done tastefully and deserves to be in gay movies as well.

I do agree on this, but it's sad many weren't done very tastefully. As the 'physical' wasn't shown here, I'm quite fine to have it as is rather than take a risk.

[–] shoeihell 18 years ago

"I do agree on this, but it's sad many weren't done very tastefully. As the 'physical' wasn't shown here, I'm quite fine to have it as is rather than take a risk."

I don't think "Brokeback Mountain" would be quite the same movie at all without it's 'obligatory' 60 seconds of sex that’s upset so many heteros. But then hey, maybe that's just me....

[–] SheWillRememberYourHeart 18 years ago

Nah, I'm with you in this one and I know I'm not the only one.

Would have loved to see some more love scenes as well, though I did adore the hugging scenes as well, girly girl that I am. :)

Anyhow, I thought that the movie's pace was wonderful and I didn't find other parts as boring as you did, maybe because it's always interesting to me to see how completely different people live their lives, and such a school in 1930's England is quite far. The fact that attending religious ceremonies is a duty was startling to me, for example...

I used to have a , but damnit do I want a !

[–] shoeihell 18 years ago

"Nah, I'm with you in this one and I know I'm not the only one.

Would have loved to see some more love scenes as well, though I did adore the hugging scenes as well, girly girl that I am. :)

Anyhow, I thought that the movie's pace was wonderful and I didn't find other parts as boring as you did, maybe because it's always interesting to me to see how completely different people live their lives, and such a school in 1930's England is quite far. The fact that attending religious ceremonies is a duty was startling to me, for example..."

Yeah, I would have LOVED more intimate scenes, but you're right, the "hugging scenes" (like in the boat) made my romantic heart skip a few beats.;-) This is an old movie though and I just think they pandered to the anti-gay sentiment at the time-nothing really 'ground breaking' about this movie-they played it safe right down the line. Even in the first scene where the two boys were 'caught', they had their shorts on and it was very unclear (to me) what exactly they were doing...as if it was so forbidden you had to guess at its 'depravity'.

I just get tired of this continual 'class' theme in Brit movie where we are always bombarded with the plight of rich, privileged boys. I'd much rather see the whole picture, no matter how dark it was for the other boys at the time.

I wish to tread lightly upon my friends but love them deeply

[–] SheWillRememberYourHeart 18 years ago

the "hugging scenes" (like in the boat) made my romantic heart skip a few beats.;-)
Wheeeeeeeeee! It's so much fun hearing that these scenes had a similar effect on a fellow romantic...

And what can I say? I guess I haven't been exposed to all that many british movies with this theme. I can think of Billy Elliot, but that movie was entirely different with its approach to the problem of class in Britain. And you're quite right about the way they handled the whole issue of homosexuality. I guess for its time, the movie's refusal to portray its protagonists - traitors, one queer and one a communist - in a negative light was subversive enough.

By the way, I think it was a splendid choice on the part of the playwright not to deal with the betrayal itself, but rather to show what led to it and how it wasn't so much about disloyalty to your own country, as it was about its disloyalty to the people who lead their lives in it.

I used to have a , but damnit do I want a !

[–] shoeihell 18 years ago

"And what can I say? I guess I haven't been exposed to all that many british movies with this theme. I can think of Billy Elliot, but that movie was entirely different with its approach to the problem of class in Britain. And you're quite right about the way they handled the whole issue of homosexuality. I guess for its time, the movie's refusal to portray its protagonists - traitors, one queer and one a communist - in a negative light was subversive enough."

Well as if the "class system" genre' wasn't bad enough, my last Netflix choice was "Grande Ecole" which was again, a 'class struggle" movie with French, rich white boys.;-) I guess I didn't read the synopsis very carefully, although there was LOTS of frontal nudity-even an entire water polo swim team.;-)

Yeah, I don't put "Billy Elliot" in the same genre' though, although there was a tad of 'poor versus rich' in that one. What an exquisite jewel of a movie that was. I so love and support any child who has the unyielding passion to follow his/her dreams. The scene where Billy's friend comes out to him in the gym and then when the same friend calls to him at the end ("Hey dancin' boy!"-when he's leaving for the dance conservatory), absolutely took my breath away.

"By the way, I think it was a splendid choice on the part of the playwright not to deal with the betrayal itself, but rather to show what led to it and how it wasn't so much about disloyalty to your own country, as it was about its disloyalty to the people who lead their lives in it.

Ditto, I think that was a brilliant choice as well.

I wish to tread lightly upon my friends but love them deeply

[–] SheWillRememberYourHeart 18 years ago

Ouch. Well, here's for a better Netflix choice the next time! And may I assume you're from North America, then? And if you're willing to go for French movies, I'd rec Juste Une Question d'Amour (Just a Question of Love) for your next movie. No class issues, I promise.

And a huge ditto to everything you said about Billy Elliot. You described perfectly the scenes I love best in the movie. I thought it was an extraordinarily sensitive portrayal of two young boys who are different than everyone else, and their respective struggles. Loved it so very much.

I'm glad we started discussing this.

I used to have a , but damnit do I want a !

[–] shoeihell 18 years ago

Thank you for the movie recommendation....I'll see if it's on my queue list-might be. What I'm doing there is working through all of Netflix's foreign gay themed films.....a daunting task to say the least. Sometimes I jump ship and rent an North American gay themed flic....actually I keep the list about 25 ahead of me and deliberately let my choices 'surprise' me.;-)

Well, I have owned "Billy Elliot for a long time and even give it away as gifts. I have a buddy here who is the only boy dancing (12 yrs old) at a dance school. I not only gave him the movie, but had to give him a DVD player as well.;-) There was a time when his parents thought he was trans....I just see him as this beautiful boy who has a passion for dancing. And in the movie, many have tried to define Billy's sexuality. However, the movie was NOT about that, but a boy's passion for dance, even though his friend came out to him.

There's that magical moment when you tell somebody you really care about (for the first time) that you are gay. In that instant you are the most vulnerable person on the earth and your breathing almost ceases...it's like somebody slamming a book into your face but stops a millimeter short of contact. When Billy friend was waiting for Billy to react....I felt as if I was doing it all over again-absolutely brilliant acting, whether it was intentional or not.

Yes I'm from the US and live in a small eastern Washington town. What part of the world do you hail from?

I wish to tread lightly upon my friends but love them deeply

[–] SheWillRememberYourHeart 18 years ago

My pleasure. And wow, I would love to see that list! I never tire of good GTMs and there are not enough of those over here. I'm from Israel, by the way. Hi! *insert small, waving Israeli flag here*

My God! How wonderful, to actually give it as a gift! I think it's a gread idea and if I had the possibility, I'd adopt it in a second. And best of luck to your dancing boy! I hope for him that no matter what, he will never suffer discrimination or prejudice again.

And in the movie, many have tried to define Billy's sexuality. However, the movie was NOT about that, but a boy's passion for dance, even though his friend came out to him
Yep. I felt that they sort of left it open for the viewer to decide whatever it is he wanted regarding Billy's sexuality, because that wasn't the point. It could go either way, and it still wouldn't matter to the point that the movie made, and yet Michael's character also made sure they didn't dodge the issue of sexuality, as though ignoring sexuality was the point. Part of why I think the movie's brilliant.

When Billy friend was waiting for Billy to react...
Another part! And I'm sure the acting was intentional. It's one of my favorite scenes, as you can guess. I think I literally squeed over Michael.

And to you, a big hug for having made that difficult step! I know how hard it is. *hugs* Stay ...

I used to have a , but damnit do I want a !

[–] shoeihell 18 years ago

"My pleasure. And wow, I would love to see that list! I never tire of good GTMs and there are not enough of those over here. I'm from Israel, by the way. Hi! *insert small, waving Israeli flag here*"

Wow...how cool is that?!!

"My God! How wonderful, to actually give it as a gift! I think it's a gread idea and if I had the possibility, I'd adopt it in a second. And best of luck to your dancing boy! I hope for him that no matter what, he will never suffer discrimination or prejudice again."

I think he'll be fine...he has that personality where so many people just love & care for his well-being. I do think I have the distinction of being his only gay male, adult pal. I did this experiment a while back....it stemmed from watching the movie "Pay It Forward" yrs ago, wherein I taped "The Mudge Boy" and since it wasn't available at the time in tape or DVD format....I offered to GIVE anyone the tape with the provision that they make two tape copies and send them back to me so I could send those along etc. Always to return the original for quality....I even gave them two blank tapes. Sounds like a sweet deal, right?? Well, absolutely NO one came through...they all took the tapes and disappeared under the rocks they came from. I think it might have worked in real life, because it's harder to disappoint someone in flesh & blood.

"And to you, a big hug for having made that difficult step! I know how hard it is. *hugs* Stay"

Why thank you (*hugs back*), but I'm from the generation that 'lived the lie' more than not. I came out later in life, lost everything I had and went into the rebuilding process. Like they say, what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger.;-) It seems that most GBLT people have a story to tell and it's driven me to have passion for mentoring youth......so something good came of all that bad in my life. Oh BTW, I have a huge gay, alphabetized movie list I can pass on if you're interested....I've seen most of them and always like to discuss movies-not sure what you would have access to over there though?

I wish to tread lightly upon my friends but love them deeply

[–] SheWillRememberYourHeart 18 years ago

Wow...how cool is that?!!
Me, I think it's very cool. I love my country and even though things are far from perfect here, I want to try and make it the best place it could possibly be to live in. Sadly, though, not all people share your view. I've had some nasty things said to me just on the account of my being an Israeli, here online, on this site even.

Oh, it's so good to hear that your friend has everything going for him. I wish more people could have this kind of security in their lives.

Wow, that is a wonderful idea! And I'm sorry people let you down. *hugs* What I can think about is that maybe they didn't have the technical possibility to make a copy (I know I don't have one) and they didn't want the opportunity to see the movie pass just because of this. Still, I do think that if you would have asked me to participate in this experiment, I would have been frank about not having a way to make a copy, even if that meant I wouldn't get to see the movie.

May I ask how old you are? I find it hard to imagine what it was like, when there were no options and no possibilities but to lie about who and what you are. You'd think it wouldn't feel so removed from our culture today, since there still is so much pointless bigotry out there, and yet... I know my parents, who immigrated to Israel when I was about half a year old, came from a country where gays were locked up and "treated" against their will, released only if they were believed to have been "cured" and then the Romanian Securitate would watch them, to make sure they didn't "relapse". And I have an uncle who actually quoted these facts to me as some sort of a proof that homosexuality can be changed! Yuck. Don't worry, I didn't let him get away with it.

it's driven me to have passion for mentoring youth......so something good came of all that bad
I'm so glad to hear this! And really, I think this testifies to you and the kind of person you are, because I'm sure not everyone would have been able to turn their life around like that.

And is The Mudge Boy a good movie?

I have a huge gay, alphabetized movie list I can pass on if you're interested
I would love that! :D And I would love to discuss the movies with you, though the question of what's available here is a very good one. I have no idea, but once I have the list, I can at least check that out, see what can be found at the video rental places around the city...

I used to have a , but damnit do I want a !

[–] shoeihell 18 years ago

"Sadly, though, not all people share your view. I've had some nasty things said to me just on the account of my being an Israeli, here online, on this site even."

That's so ignorant. I think it's exciting to talk to people all around the world-always have! But then I had a full-scale attack by the "Christians" at the "Saved!" board for being homosexual, so yeah that element is ever present.

"Wow, that is a wonderful idea! And I'm sorry people let you down. *hugs* What I can think about is that maybe they didn't have the technical possibility to make a copy (I know I don't have one) and they didn't want the opportunity to see the movie pass just because of this. Still, I do think that if you would have asked me to participate in this experiment, I would have been frank about not having a way to make a copy, even if that meant I wouldn't get to see the movie."

Actually, that was a prerequisite in getting the tapes-that they had the ability to copy the movie-just a bad experience all around.

"May I ask how old you are? I find it hard to imagine what it was like, when there were no options and no possibilities but to lie about who and what you are. You'd think it wouldn't feel so removed from our culture today, since there still is so much pointless bigotry out there, and yet... I know my parents, who immigrated to Israel when I was about half a year old, came from a country where gays were locked up and "treated" against their will, released only if they were believed to have been "cured" and then the Romanian Securitate would watch them, to make sure they didn't "relapse". And I have an uncle who actually quoted these facts to me as some sort of a proof that homosexuality can be changed! Yuck. Don't worry, I didn't let him get away with it."

I'm middle aged and my birth family was as homophobic as they could possibly be. Every time we gathered together for a holiday or whatever, the topic of conversation would ALWAYS turn into gay bashing. And honestly, I didn't hear anything positive said in public about gays until the 80's when we were dying of AIDS. Up until then, it was some mysterious subculture of doom and despair-Hollywood reflected that as well in cinema.

"I'm so glad to hear this! And really, I think this testifies to you and the kind of person you are, because I'm sure not everyone would have been able to turn their life around like that."

Thank you, that's very sweet.;-)

"And is The Mudge Boy a good movie?"

I classify "The Mudge Boy" as a little indie with a big BANG. It does have a graphic rape scene and since I was raped at 13, it was awful to watch that sequence….very poignant and accurate look at a very sensitive kid growing up in rural America.

"I would love that! :D And I would love to discuss the movies with you, though the question of what's available here is a very good one. I have no idea, but once I have the list, I can at least check that out, see what can be found at the video rental places around the city..."

Great then, just send me a PM here on the board and I'll send off the list. The only problem is that the list isn't graded-it's just a list. So feel free to discuss/ask about any of the movies in it.

I wish to tread lightly upon my friends but love them deeply

[–] SheWillRememberYourHeart 18 years ago

Sorry it's taken me a while to relpy. :) We've had Yom Kippur coming up, wuth all that needs to be prepared beforehand, and I haven't had enough time to sit down and write a decent reply... I hope that's okay. How have you been in the meanwhile?

That's so ignorant.
Oh, bless you for saying that! Some people can be such complete jerks, it feels that much better when others come and shed a bit of sunshine around them... :)

But then I had a full-scale attack by the "Christians" at the "Saved!" board for being homosexual, so yeah that element is ever present.
It really shouldn't be, but hey, I guess with a free world wide web and all, even the jerks need a place for outlet. It's just a shame when it's at the expense of others. If you ever need someone to support you against that group, or a similar one, just call me, I'll be over there to help you as soon as possible! My whole attitude towards homophobia is based on my experience with anti-Semitism (or most of it, at least), but I still find it easier to confront homophobes. I guess maybe it has something to do with how shocked I am every time anew to see that in a world in which the Holocaust has taken place, anti-Semitism can still exist even.

God! :( *hugs you big time* I can't believe how painful your family must have been for you. It was kind of impossible, I guess, right? Not even difficult, just plain impossible from the way that it sounds, because it seems like there was all this talking, but absolutely not a chance even for dialogue. And that people had to start dying before anyone had something positive to say about them...! Human beings can make me so mad. But then again, I am glad that at least at that point, there were positive things to say and it didn't just turn out to be "God hates fags and AIDS is the proof" speeches only and such *beep*

Nothing to thank me for, I simply told you what I thought. :)

I don't know if I can take The Mudge Boy at this point, then. This may sound horrible to you, especially since you've lived through the hell that is rape, but right now, I feel like I can't deal with rape, even when it's on film. It's one of the most vicious things that one person can do to another in my opinion, in some cases I think it can be only likened to a murder where the victim survives its own killing (and I'm so glad that not all cases are like that, and you sound like you're not one of those cases, although I'm sure it was terrible and it took quite a while to get over it) - - and to make a long babbling short, I just can't deal with people's viciousness right now. The chances are good that the fighting at the northern border of Israel will start again any day now, and the truth is that I feel like the wounds from the former round haven't healed yet. One of the guys I served with, back when I was still a soldier, was killed. I think I still can't completely face that and on some level I'm in denial, because he's the 4th friend I've lost during and after my service (the guys from my unit got called back for the fighting, for reserve forces service and, yeah)...

Sorry. That got kind of long, ha? Anyhow, I'll be PMing you in a few seconds. Hope you have a great week,
A.

I used to have a , but damnit do I want a !

[–] Sofa_King_Sleazy 15 years ago

hi shoei, so glad to have happened on your "conversation" here. I too am working through foreign gay themed films on Netflix(so many of them it will take a while)'Grande Ecole' is a good film 'Just a Question of Love' is wonderful as well. Have you seen 'The Consequence'? its a wonderful film made in the late 70's about a prison inmate having an affair with the wardens son. It was very progessive for its time and did not shy away from the physical and at the same time, did not over do it. I think its German, but I could be wrong. Another film sort of close to 'Another Country' is the Swedish 'Friends forever' and Canadian 'Lilies' both about class and the school system with Homosexuality as an aspect of the films but also the fact that the main characters love someone in a different class than themselves.

Believe it or not there are some good American gay themed films, although some are a bit on the cheap side as far as production goes, but they tell good stories and the acting in many far surpass most of the mainstream big budget films. 'The Mudge Boy' is a good film. If you are interested check out 'L.I.E.' its in the same vein as 'Mugde Boy' and has an adorable younger Paul Dano and the always talented Brian Cox. Have you seen 'Making Love'? It was out in 1982 I believe and was very daring for its time with love scenes and all. I'm surprised, especially since its an American film. I currently have 'Stonewall' and 'Mulligans'out now and next in my rental queue is 'Were the World Mine' and 'For a Lost Soldier'. I gotta say I love love love the instant viewer! Thats how I was able to watch 'L.I.E.','Grande Ecole', 'The Consequence', 'Lilies', a beautiful French musical titled 'Love Songs' and a whole lot more, and all of them gay themed. I also watch other types of movies as well. Hey if you have any suggestions please feel free to let me know.

[–] shoeihell 15 years ago

I wrote at length about 'Mudge Boy' (and many more) in this forum and yes, I've seen all the other American films you mention. But here's the caveat...unless one has perfect, photographic memory: When I started this 'odyssey', I had no idea that I'd see so many films both foreign & domestic so that the memories of all would start to blur. And blur very badly I'm afraid. Sure, I can remember the films, but only when the plot synopsis is given to me verbally, or I reread it. Not with all, because some were so outstanding that I will never forget their titles.

I tend to gravitate towards the 'coming of age' genre', I guess because it's so often painfully real and 'close to home'. Conversely, I was blown away by 'Brokeback Mountain', that is, until the heteros tried to convince everyone that it was a "universal love story" and little to do with gay cowboys, closets and rampant homophobia back in the day. We have so very few mainstream movies where the males aren't stereotypical and 'they' try to rob us of those. I held in my heart that BM's success would spurn that sort of movie theme all over American theaters. Woefully, I was wrong....but there's no shortage of 'coming of age' movies. The German movie, 'Summer Storm' is magnificent, as is the low budget 'Wild Tigers I Have Known'...incredibly sweet stuff.

In all honesty though, I wish there were more fun, humorous real-life gay themed movies. 'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang' made a stab at that with a gay detective character (Val Kilmer). Yet even in that vehicle, the first half of the movie was witty & humorous....only to degenerate into a virtual mosh pit in the second half.:-( OMG, gay themed movies where the characters looked and acted mainstream (no bitchy queens), weren't dying from AIDS, not tragically suicidal and self deprecating....could there be such a thing???? Whoa....scary stuff.;-)

I do have a big list stored on my PC, but I never got around to writing my opinions on any of them. I haven't added to it since I went 'foreign', so it's not really updated. To tell ya the truth, I put Netflix on hold and quit watching so many gay themed movies. I needed a break from all the tears shed and I'm trying to hold on to the memories by just the titles. People aren't usually impressed that I often can't match the title with the content....it makes me look like a nut case. Oh yeah...see 'Big Eden' for the building of a wonderful, unlikely romance and 'The Business of Fancydancing' for a unique perspective on being gay in present Native American culture. Ahhhh...and then there's 'Shelter', surfer boys....WAY sweet.;-) Basically, it's ALL about indies with few exceptions. What they lack in budget/production $$ they make up in real acting...fancy that. Oh yeah.....'The Hanging Garden'; complicated and gut wrenching.....incredible Canadian film.

And yeah, I watch all kinds of movies....I mean there was nothing gay themed growing up, so like most of us, I got hooked on 'other' genres, what's a gay boy to do?

"...and don't call on Him to save you from your social graces and the sins you wish to waive"

[–] ngaio62 17 years ago

"What exactly were they supposed to be doing...dry humping??"

I think the term is frottage. rather than elaborate here and have the admins delete I will refer you to a good book about sex like "the Joy of Gay Sex" but you are right we should have seen their shorts around their ankles. far more realistic.

Kiwiboy62

Guy loves James

[–] shoeihell 17 years ago

Dude, I'm gay....I don't need the book, "The Joy of Gay Sex" to understand a period repressed, direction method to illustrate two boys having gay sex. I was poking fun at the way this movie showed the 'horribleness' of two boys doing what was natural for them.

"...and don't call on Him to save you from your social graces and the sins you wish to waive"

[–] ngaio62 17 years ago

so am I. Why do you think I love this film? The book ref was just away of getting around fascistic censorship, not to explain english sexual reppression.

As for horribleness the film is a product of it's time. Thatcher is my most hated UK PM. The 80's in the UK were appalling for being gay in.
And as for her bronze statue I'd happily see the IRA blow it up and melt it down for scrap.

Kiwiboy62
"There's nothing decent about colonialism"
Tommy Judd

[–] shoeihell 17 years ago

I said that earlier in this thread; that the film was a product of its time and yet not very daring at that. Also, that it was yet another British film showing privileged white boys in some sort of life/emotional crisis. Some scenes like the two boys in the boat together, were very sweet. Over all I give the movie a 'C-'.

"...and don't call on Him to save you from your social graces and the sins you wish to waive"

[–] ngaio62 17 years ago

I understand and accept your view but for me personally what made it work was that I saw a lot of Guy and Tommy in myself ...even then

cheers

Martin

Kiwiboy62

"And there's another country,
I've heard of long ago,
most dear to them who love her,
most great to them that know"
Sir Cecil Spring Rice

[–] shoeihell 17 years ago

Yeah, I can see any gay story of two young boys coming of age and see something of myself in their process of discovery-good point.

"...and don't call on Him to save you from your social graces and the sins you wish to waive"

[–] Calacatranis 17 years ago

Excuse me chaps (or chapesses). I'm not a homosexual, so I hope you don't mind an interjection here on this "chummy" little thread.

I'm afraid ngaio62 is some years adrift on the concept of Margaret Thatcher's statue blown up by the IRA - and the latest Adams/Paisley accord and agreement precludes such an occurence further. Do keep up.

[–] ngaio62 17 years ago

Thank you for your reminder to "keep up"
The desire to blow up Maggie's statue was not so much about my outlook on politics in the North but an expression about how I feel towards THAT woman for a number of reasons.
The sooner bloodyness of the last 30 years in Ulster is buried in the century it belongs, the better.

Just thought I would clear the air and any misunderstandings

I hope you enjoyed Another Country though

cheers

Kiwiboy62
"All problems solved, No commies and no queers!"
Tommy Judd

[–] phosphorusD200 14 years ago

Even the 'sex scene' at the beginning when the two boys are caught-both with sweaty faces, humping and yet both with their underwear still intact but their trousers down, is a concession to the barely mentionable, unseen act of homosexuality in 80's films (safer for the producer/director).

I think it wasn't shown because of the rating. Even with intact underwear it was rated "suitable only for persons of 15 years and older". It says so on the copy of the DVD I got (UK import). The German copy was rated suitable for 12-year-olds, by the way. Interesting, isn't it?

[–] shoeihell 14 years ago

Definitely interesting....I hate it when ratings get in the way of a movie, or actually temper how the movie audiences view the final product. The Germans I think, are traditionally less provincial than the English...at least after the 60's.

"...and don't call on Him to save you from your social graces and the sins you wish to waive"

[–] ngaio62 14 years ago

Phosphorus, Thanks for the rating info.
I would be concerned about a 12 year old rating but not because of sexuality but about Martineaus' suicide. I think I would want to be present if it was being seen by a 12 year old to be able to deal with any questions that might come out of it.

In my country [NZ] the censor can pass it with PG for Parental Guidance making it available to younger viewers but with a parent present to help them navigate any difficult bits. The rating can also advise what may be contained ie medium level violence sexuality etc. The chief censor did pass the DVD as PG but sans notes

Kiwiboy62