This thought-provoking classic stars Dirk Bogarde as Melville Farr, a homosexual (but married) barrister who risks his career to hunt down a blackmailer who has photos of Farr and a young gay man (who is also being blackmailed and later commits suicide) in Farr’s car.
After the suicide, Farr tracks down other gay men who are being extorted for money by the same blackmailer.
The well-educated police Detective Inspector Harris (John Barrie) considers the sodomy law nothing more than an aid to blackmailers and helps Farr in calling his blackmailer’s bluff.
The movie, far ahead of its time, ends with Farr and his wife coming to terms with his homosexuality after the public exposure he faces in the blackmailer’s trial.
When Victim was released, it started a nationwide discussion about homosexuality (which was still illegal in Britain at the time) and associated blackmail and is credited with helping to decriminalise homosexuality in the UK.
Melville Farr
Dirk Bogarde Laura Farr
Sylvia Syms Calloway
Dennis Price Phip
Nigel Stock Jack Barrett
Peter McEnery Eddy Stone
Donald Churchill Lord Charles Fullbrook
Anthony Nicholls P.H.
Hilton Edwards Harold Doe
Norman Bird Scott Hankin
Alan MacNaughtan William Patterson
Noel Howlett Henry
Charles Lloyd Pack Detective Inspector Harris
John Barrie Bridie
John Cairney Mickey
David Evans Paul Mandrake
Peter Copley Madge
Mavis Villiers Miss Benham
Margaret Diamond Frank
Alan Howard Sylvie
Dawn Beret
Director
Basil Dearden
Video
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The well-educated police Detective Inspector Harris (John Barrie) considers the sodomy law nothing more than an aid to blackmailers and helps Farr in calling his blackmailer’s bluff.
