Documentary about the Stonewall riots back in 1969 that started the gay rights movement. People who were involved in the riots are interviewed--gay men, lesbians and even a police officer. They paint an incredibly horrific picture of how gay men and lesbians were treated back then. They also show some truly fascinating clips from TV specials about homosexuality done back in 1967. It makes it clear that gays are mentally ill and chose this way of life (of course this is all ridiculous). Then they get to the riot. There's no footage of it happening but they show us pictures and all the participants describe what happened and the aftermath.
This is a good documentary--not great but good. It's well-done and all but it lacks that certain spark to make it great. Also a lot of this material was covered in the 1980s documentary "Before Stonewall". I've read the books about it and saw the (fictional) 1995 movie "Stonewall" so none of this material was surprising. Maybe that's why it didn't work completely for me. Still this is an important film for everybody to see and realize how horribly gays and lesbians were treated before they fought back. Younger gays especially should see this and realize how they should be grateful that things are so much better now.
This is a good documentary--not great but good. It's well-done and all but it lacks that certain spark to make it great. Also a lot of this material was covered in the 1980s documentary "Before Stonewall". I've read the books about it and saw the (fictional) 1995 movie "Stonewall" so none of this material was surprising. Maybe that's why it didn't work completely for me. Still this is an important film for everybody to see and realize how horribly gays and lesbians were treated before they fought back. Younger gays especially should see this and realize how they should be grateful that things are so much better now.
