This is a list of 10 films that accurately depict how society treated gay men at specific times in history. There are far more movies that depict the lives of LGBT+ people in history, so look at this as a starting point if the subject matter interests you. And if you watch any of these films, think of them as a reminder of why we fight for equality and not just entertainment.
This is not a “best of” list, so the films are placed in order of the year they begin.
Wilde
Wilde is a biographical film about Oscar Wilde starring Stephen Fry. It opens in 1882 and focuses on his relationship with the poet, Lord Alfred Douglas (Jude Law). The film highlights Wilde’s whit and compassion while depicting the dangers of being homosexual at the time.
Maurice
Maurice is a British gay romance based on the posthumously published novel by EM Forester. The story takes place during the Edwardian era (1901-1914) and is about a young man coming of age while falling in love with another man. It’s a Merchant Ivory film and has an all-star cast: James Wilby, Hugh Grant, Rupert Graves, Denholm Elliott, Simon Callow, Billie Whitelaw, and Ben Kingsley.
My Policeman
My Policeman is a gay romance about a love triangle between two men, Tom and Patrick, and Tom’s wife, Marion. It takes place in England in 1957 and stars Harry Styles, Emma Corrin, Gina McKee, Linus Roache, David Dawson, and Rupert Everett.
You can read my review of My Policeman here.
A Single Man
A Single Man takes place in Los Angeles in 1962, when gay men were forced into the closet or risk losing their careers. Colin Firth plays George Falconer, a middle-aged college professor secretly grieving the loss of his partner, Jim.
You can read my review of A Single Man here.
Brokeback Mountain
Brokeback Mountain is a neo-Western gay romance directed by Ang Lee that begins in 1963 and ends in 1983. It’s about the unexpected and tumultuous relationship between two cowboys, Enis del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal). Everything about this film is so well done and the ending is emotional and powerful.
The Boys in the Band
The Boys in the Band is a drama that takes place in New York City in 1968. It’s an unflinching depiction of the devastating aftermath that comes from a society that accepts homophobia and racism without apology. Parts of this film were cringeworthy when it came out in 1970 and are shockingly repugnant today. This is not for the faint of heart or the easily offended. The Boys in the Band was a difficult film to watch when it came out, and is even more so now, and it’s meant to be that way.
You can read my review of The Boys in the Band here.
Milk
Milk is a biographical film about Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to hold public office in California. It stars Sean Penn as Harvey milk, Josh Brolin as Dan White, and Victor Graber as George Moscone. It was directed by Gus Van Sant. The film covers the years from 1970, when Harvey Milk met his lover, Scott Smith (James Franco), to Milk’s assassination in 1978.
You can read my review of Milk here.
Moonlight
Moonlight is a compelling story of the effects of being young, black, and gay in urban America and will tear at your heart. It begins in the 1980s and follows the main character, Chiron, as a child, teenager, and young adult in three acts.
You can read my review of Moonlight here.
Pride
Pride is a historical drama about gay and lesbian activists raising money to help families effected by the British miners’ strike of 1984. The film stays close to the facts and leaves its audience smiling.
You can read my review of Pride here.
Operation Hyacinth
Operation Hyacinth is a Polish film about a secret operation by the Polish communist police to keep a national database of homosexuals. The film is based on an actual event named Operation Hyacinth that was carried out between 1985-1987.
There you have it, our list of 10 movies that show how gay men were treated in history. If there are any films you feel we missed, please let us know in the comments.
