Stonewall (1995)

A Great Story On Gay History

This film is the best documentation of the Stonewall Riots in New York City in 1969. Wonderful acting, writing, and direction, one truely cares for these characters as we know the inevitable outcome at the end of the movie. Some have said that the script isn't based on fact, but I have done a lot of research on the Stonewall Riots, and I have to say the script is pretty much accurate. There are some pretty intense scenes and some surprise plot twists as well. Sit back and enjoy a wonderful film on our gay history in America. The film is in full screen format as it was originally produced for BBC Television in Great Britain. The soundtrack is also superb. July 31, 2008

Worth it

I noted one of the reviews mentioned the drag queen with the red hair is a "girl gremlin", which is actually funny. I saw the resemblence! However, this film was very well made. Myths of Stonewall combined with some facts and an emphasis on the positive aspects of the events made this film touching in ways. Funny, easy to watch even if you don't dig drag - I'm very happy I took a chance and bought it. April 7, 2006

Tongue'N'Cheek with a Message

I was surprised of how well-made this flick is! I thought it was going to be a tongue 'n' cheek, frivilous extravaganza; well, tongue 'n' cheek it is, and it's filled with extravagant singing numbers a la Greece, but frivolous it ain't.

This fun film has its heartbreaking and sobering moments as it tells a fictional account of the Stonewall riots that started the Gay Civil Rights movement back in 1969. Even though the story is fictional, it's very real and very relevant especially in this day and age of systematic assault on our hard-earned civil rights.

Gays these days don't know how good they have it! That's why this movie is a must-see for it's a reminder that the freedoms gays and lesbians have now weren't granted to them by society then, and by then I mean just 35 years ago! These rights and freedoms readily enjoyed were fought for with blood and lives sacrificed.

Don't think for one second that those rights couldn't be taken away any second and then you'll see you quickly people turn. Complacency is a luxury we all cannot afford in this age of Patriot Acts and other civil rights slayers.

Rent it or buy it now, but please see it! September 20, 2005

One of my favorites.

This is a deeply flawed and highly entertaining Stonewall pastiche. It is told through the eyes of "Matty Dean," a small town boy recently relocated to NYC to discover gay life. He finds that gay life in NYC isn't all he'd cracked it up to be, and is arrested, disappointed at a gay rights demonstration, shocked by the rules and regulation at "gay friendly" Fire Island, and ultimately finds himself caught up in an historic turning point. La Miranda is a (here comes the big CLICHE) tour de force performance, and worth the price of rental/admission/purchase. The clicher: The songs of The Shangri-Las are used as a framing device. Love it! April 26, 2005

fabulous stereo DVD - a wonderful historical fantasy

My "Stonewall" DVD arrived from Amazon today - and it is absolutely perfect:- it's in the original 4:3 ratio as expected (i.e. not falsely letterboxed to pander to 16:9 screens), but just as important it's in full, pristine stereo. "Stonewall" is regularly aired on Australia's ABC TV - but tragically only in mono. There are simple menus and minimal extras, but the DVD transfer is first class in every respect - and a fitting compliment to all involved with the film, including Nigel Finch the late great director.

"Stonewall" - The Movie was the last film project by Nigel Finch and he died before it was completed. He succeeds in stunning fashion in combining the joys and struggles of youth in an emerging gay rights movement, with the stories of people who already live through severe struggle every day - Blacks, Latinos, transgenders. "Stonewall" shows that the white middle-class gay men were coming from a privileged position - they try to challenge the law and can't even get themselves refused a drink.

Nigel Finch keeps entertainment as a prime consideration, with occasional asides into fantasy musical numbers and some excellent humour (and true drama). We form emotional bonds with several characters - Matty, Bostonia and La Miranda. Bostonia gives us a rare understanding of each transgender's right to choose what they want for their body. Duane Boutte plays this powerful and pivotal character to perfection.

Just recently I watched a tape of one of my all-time favourite documentaries "Kurt Vonnegut" (1983 BBC Films, Arena Series) and was surprised to find that Nigel Finch was the director (he directed several award winning "Arena" documentaries). Nigel's style is clearly evident in both these films - vibrant, slightly surreal, superb script, perfectly timed, absolute integrity to the subject matter and totally entertaining.

Just as with "Kurt Vonnegut", "Stonewall" is a valuable piece of cultural history in the most attractive of packaging.
August 12, 2004

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