Before Stonewall

1984 ""

Before Stonewall

7.5 | 1h27m | en | History

New York City's Stonewall Inn is regarded by many as the site of gay and lesbian liberation since it was at this bar that drag queens fought back against police June 27-28, 1969. This documentary uses extensive archival film, movie clips and personal recollections to construct an audiovisual history of the gay community before the Stonewall riots.

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7.5 | 1h27m | en | History , Documentary | More Info

Released: June. 27,1985 | Released Producted By: Center for the Study of Filmed History , Before Stonewall Inc. Country: Budget: 0 Revenue: 0 Official Website:

Synopsis

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Cast

Allen Ginsberg

Director

Greta Schiller

Producted By

Center for the Study of Filmed History , Before Stonewall Inc.

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Trailers & Images

Cast

Allen Ginsberg

as Himself

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Reviews

mashington_riley A humanising and edifying account of the emerging gay rights movement across the early to mid twentieth century. Before Stonewall documents the struggles gay people faced leading to the protests of the 1960s. Containing archive footage of early depictions of gays on film, original interviews with gay rights activists, frequenters of early gay scenes of New York and San Francisco and authors including Allen Ginsberg. This film made me realise what a force for the creative voice the gay scene was in how it championed the subversive and the ironic. It is testament to the boundless positivity and optimism of the prominent individuals of the gay rights movement featured in this film that despite the often painful experiences they had to endure, their stories are retold in a witty and engaging way. Highly recommended for both educational and entertainment purposes!

lastliberal An absolutely fascinating account of gay life in the United States before 1969, especially how WWII changed everything.This collection of interviews, archival material, and history gives a clear picture of how gays and lesbians lived and interacted in this country before people "came out" publicly.I was impressed with those who came out openly in the 50s and started the first gay and lesbian organizations and magazines. These were people of extreme courage.The incorporation of gays and lesbians in the civil rights movement and the women's movement was thoroughly examined.This film should be seen by all to have a better understanding of oppression in America, and how far we have come.

citizen_cupid I have lost count of the number of times I have seen this wonderful documentary. The archival material alone -- film clips and still photographs of gay life in America between 1900 and the '60s -- is enough to make this film a treasure; but it is the interviews with survivors of the pre-Stonewall era that make Before Stonewall a priceless heirloom of gay studies and a must in the personal education of any socially conscious person interested in gay culture.

Hermit C-2 This informative and enlightening documentary examines how gay people lived and supported and recognized each other in the days before the landmark disturbance at the Stonewall bar in New York in 1969, an event that gave new impetus to the gay rights movement in the U.S. It features many brave individuals who risked life and limb back in the "dark ages" by even broaching the subject of homosexuality in the open. Many viewers will find revelations here that are fascinating, for example how World War II, of all things, served to end the isolation felt by many gays who fought and served back then. It deserves a wide audience.