History Film / Victim1961

[[quoteright:308:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/victim_1961_poster.jpg]]

Originally released in 1961 (six years before homosexuality was decriminalised in the UK), the film was highly controversial, earned an "X" rating from the British censors (modern releases have been labelled "[=PG=]"), and was for a time banned in the United States.

A groundbreaking British suspense film, directed by Basil Dearden (''Film/TheLeagueOfGentlemen'') and starring Creator/DirkBogarde, Sylvia Sims, and Dennis Price, about a closeted gay barrister named Melville Farr (Bogarde) who puts his marriage, his thriving career, and his freedom at risk when he takes on a ring of blackmailers targeting gay men.

Notable as the first film to use the term "homosexual," thanks to Dirk Bogarde, who refused Basil Dearden's suggestion of "inverts" as a euphemism and rewrote several scenes himself. It's worth noting that [[AuthorAppeal Bogarde himself was gay]], and considered ''Victim'' an extremely personal project.

[[quoteright:299:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/victim_1961.jpg]]

A groundbreaking British suspense film about Melville Farr (Creator/DirkBogarde), a closeted gay barrister who puts his marriage and his thriving career at risk when he takes on a ring of blackmailers targeting gay men. Directed by Basil Dearden of ''Sapphire'' and ''Film/TheLeagueOfGentlemen''.

Originally released in 1961, six years before homosexuality was decriminalised in the United Kingdom, the film was highly controversial, earned an "X" rating from the British censors (modern releases have been labelled "[=PG=]"), and was for a time banned in the United States.

* HeteronormativeCrusader: [[spoiler:Miss Benham]] is motivated not just by profit while blackmailing gay men, but intense homophobia, saying they deserve it for their behavior.

* IncompatibleOrientation: Laura Farr can't stop loving her husband, despite her gradual realisation that he can never return her feelings.

* TheBeard: Laura Farr.

A groundbreaking British suspense film about Melville Farr (Dirk Bogarde), a closeted gay barrister who puts his marriage and his thriving career at risk when he takes on a ring of blackmailers targeting gay men. Directed by Basil Dearden of ''Sapphire'' and ''Film/TheLeagueOfGentlemen''.

Originally released in 1961, six years before homosexuality was decriminalised in the United Kingdom, the film was highly controversial, earned an "X" rating from the British censors (modern releases have been labelled "[=PG=]") and was for a time banned in the United States.

* NobleBigotWithABadge: Sergeant Bridie is outspokenly homophobic, but that doesn't stop him doing his utmost to bring the blackmailing ring to justice.

* NobodyOver50IsGay: Averted. The main character is a middle-aged lawyer.

* {{Blackmail}}: Gays are being being blackmailed for their illegal activities.

* GayAesop: The anti-homophobia message dropped like an Anvil so heavily, it is part of the reason homosexuality was decriminalized in Britain.

* NobodyOver50IsGay: Averted.
* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: Calloway the actor is an {{Expy}} of Creator/NoelCoward.

* ThereShouldBeALaw: Or rather, there should ''not''.

Groundbreaking British suspense film about Melville Farr (Dirk Bogarde), a closeted gay barrister who puts his marriage and his thriving career at risk when he takes on a ring of blackmailers targeting gay men. Directed by Basil Dearden of ''Sapphire'' and ''Film/TheLeagueOfGentlemen''.

* RedHerring: There's a lengthy subplot involving an older blind man and his partner which implies they're involved in the blackmail ring. [[spoiler: Turns out they're just minor swindlers.]]

* BuryYourGays: Boy Barrett. Pointedly averted with Melville.

* MotiveRant: [[spoiler:Miss Benham]] gives one at the end before the police comes to arrest her.

Groundbreaking British suspense film about Melville Farr, a closeted gay barrister (Dirk Bogarde) who puts his marriage and his thriving career at risk when he takes on a ring of blackmailers targeting gay men. Directed by Basil Dearden of ''Sapphire'' and ''Film/TheLeagueOfGentlemen''.

-------

[[quoteright:300:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/victim_4895.jpg]]

* GayAesop

* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: Calloway the actor is an {{Expy}} of Creator/NoelCoward.

''Victim'' has been widely credited with impacting British support of gay rights. None other than Lord Arran, who introduced the legislation repealing the Criminal Offences Act, wrote Bogarde praising the film as helping to create a climate where such reform was possible.

Notable as the first film to use the term "homosexual," thanks to Dirk Bogarde, who refused Basil Dearden's suggestion of "inverts" as a euphemism and rewrote several scenes himself. It's worth noting that [[AuthorAppeal Bogarde himself was gay]], and considered ''Victim'' an extremely personal project. The film has been widely credited for impacting British views on homosexuals. None other than Lord Arran, who introduced the legislation repealing the Criminal Offences Act, wrote Bogarde praising his work on the film.

Notable as the first film to use the term "homosexual," thanks to Dirk Bogarde, who refused Basil Dearden's suggestion of "inverts" as a euphemism and rewrote several scenes himself. It's worth noting that [[AuthorAppeal Bogarde himself was gay]], and considered ''Victim'' an extremely personal project.

Notable as the first film to use the term "homosexual," thanks to Dirk Bogarde, who refused Basil Dearden's suggestion of "inverts" as a euphemism and rewrote several scenes himself. It's worth noting that Bogarde himself was gay, and considered ''Victim'' an extremely personal project.

Groundbreaking British suspense film about Melville Farr, a closeted gay barrister (Dick Bogarde) who puts his marriage and his thriving career at risk when he takes on a ring of blackmailers targeting gay men. Directed by Basil Dearden of ''Sapphire'' and ''Film/TheLeagueOfGentlemen''.

Groundbreaking British suspense film about Melville Farr, a closeted gay barrister (Dick Bogarde) who puts his marriage and his thriving career at risk when he takes on a ring of blackmailers targeting gay men.

* ThereShouldBeALaw: Or rather, there should ''not''.

* NobodyOver50IsGay: Averted.