Editorial Product Review:

Amazon.com essential video:
A sensitive yet humorous adaptation of the stage play, this 1970 film directed by William Friedkin (The French Connection, The Exorcist) is one of the first films to openly address gay issues in a matter-of-fact style that largely avoids stereotyping. Shot on one set and featuring a birthday party as the festive setting, a group of friends assemble to celebrate, reminisce, and discuss their lives and the travails of being gay, even as one friend insists he's straight. The night turns from a light celebration to a sometimes-vindictive ordeal of revelation and betrayal, as each man in turn must confess his true feelings. Performed by the original cast of the stage production, the film may feel dated to some, but it still manages to be truthful and entertaining as it explores a subject that to this day is not often addressed. --Robert Lane

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Customer Rating: - Strike Up The Band
Here it is guys! November 11, 2008 is the release date for the DVD of The Boys in the Band. Director William Friedkin has taken a hand in the project and we are finally going to get to see our guys laugh and cry and live their lives at the most famous birthday party ever given. Thanks to everyone who begged and pleaded, worked and screamed to get this done. "At least we don't have to look our best!"

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Customer Rating: - Unfortunately, still true
I love this movie. It's right on, sad but true. I totally disagree with those who say this gives gay men a bad name. SOME of it is true, but more important, one has to realize that society played a MAJOR role in creating the hatred they/we feel for ourselves/themselves. Also, the acting is so incredible. For those who don't know, Cliff Gorman is actually straight. If you look closely, you'll see his remarkable performace when he's telling about his first crush on another man. His eyes go out of focus and you can see one solitary tear coming down his left eye. The rest of the cast is stellar and there aren't any holes in the plot.

What is sad is that most of the cast are now dead (AIDS) and that unfortunately, this movie doesn't "date" as much as you'd think it might. While things have certainly calmed down in some circles, the cruelty still happens.

The most interesting aspect of the movie deals with the straight man who comes to the party and his comment, "But you're married" to one of the "gay" men. It's amazing how often you'll still hear this today. This movie is, what, forty years old? Or at least the play is, and things STILL haven't changed that much.

There are so many great lines from this movie that it's impossible to quote a single one. Put simply one heck of a movie.

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Customer Rating: - Whoever Said Gay Means Happy?
Synopsis: A gay gathering at a birthday party turns into a sobering and insightful psychotherapy session when the guests dare to put aside persona and pretense to share the pivotal events of their past when they came to the realization that they were "different" from other people.

Critique: `Boys in the Band' from '70 was definitely a bold and daring film way ahead of its time. The thought of a movie examining the homosexual psyche in '70 was absolutely unheard of. The American public had enough of a problem just contemplating the thought of a gay lifestyle, let alone deal with a storyline that not only examined the prejudice found in the public-at-large but presented the viewer with a glimpse of the homosexual that showed us that at the end of the day they really aren't much different than we are. This is honest, thought provoking cinema at its best. This one really deserves to be released on DVD.

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Customer Rating: - Boys Will Be Boys
This is a true bit of Gay History. Been waiting on the DVD for years and can't wait for it to be released. I have had the Video since the 1980's and have watched it many, many times. I saw the play at Theatre 54 in NYC with the same cast and have loved this play and movie since. I also have the recorded LP of the play. I do not think it is outdated , sure the cloths etc. are from the 70's but we all know everyone of these men even today. It tops the list of gay movies of all time and broke ground for so many of today's films.