Victim

It may seem strange to talk about science fiction when discussing this 1961 drama and police procedural, but that is exactly what it reminded me of. You know, the type of science fiction film where the political and legal structure of the world has changed in the future to such an extent that it is barely recognisable from the world we inhabit today (think 1984, but also countless others). The time in which Victim is set, at least to the extent of its subject matter, is unthinkable in the modern context. It is set in the time when homosexuality was against the law in the UK and US. Most people, like me, will be staggered to learn that homosexuality was only made ‘legal’ in the UK in 1967. Up until then, the law prohibiting homosexuality was known as ‘the blackmailer’s charter’ as it provided such a lucrative lever over a vast section of the population. During these times more than 90% of blackmail cases involved gays. I found this so incredible that I had to check the facts, thinking at one point that the whole plot was a work of fiction. This is a fascinating film for the insight that it provides into those times and events, not just in the subject, but also its location (London). Quite a few scenes provide glimpses of the city in the early sixties, which are fascinating – note the motor garage and petrol station on Fulham Road, Kensington, just down the road from the Michelin building, which then probably sold tyres and now houses the swanky Bibendum restaurant. The performances are spot on. I have not seen many Dirk Bogart movies, but intend to rectify that omission.