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Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel

R Released Jul 30, 2010 2h 15m Documentary List
61% Tomatometer 44 Reviews 69% Audience Score 250+ Ratings
Hugh Hefner, magazine entrepreneur and lover of beautiful women, battles the U.S. government, religious groups and militant feminists to stay in business. Read More Read Less

Critics Reviews

View All (44) Critics Reviews
Brandon Judell indieWire A seamless, eye-opening entertainment about the civil rights activist side of the Playboy publisher. Oct 31, 2012 Full Review Leonard Maltin leonardmaltin.com There are few people who can be credited with affecting real or lasting change in our culture. One of them is Hugh Hefner, an aspiring cartoonist who borrowed money to put... Mar 21, 2011 Full Review Cliff Doerksen Chicago Reader Even after 124 minutes of praise he still seems like a sad bastard. Jan 3, 2011 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...one ultimately walks away from the picture with a new appreciation for the legendary magnate... Rated: 2.5/4 Jun 10, 2024 Full Review Matt Pais Metromix.com More of a pat on the back than a true examination of the man inside the robe. Rated: 3/5 Oct 28, 2010 Full Review Chris Bumbray JoBlo's Movie Network Definitely worth a look. Rated: 7/10 Aug 24, 2010 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (47) audience reviews
StephenPaul C The greatest 2.25 hours of real footage containing the real Hugh Hefner and his Playboy bunnies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/26/23 Full Review kevin c Documentary spanning the life and career of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner. With his start in publishing to his ideas to change social taboos about sex, to his nonstop activism in having equal rights for people of colour as well as fighting against outdated laws. Very interesting stories with great footage including interviews with Hefner himself as well as Dick Cavett, Gene Simmons, Bill Maher, Shannon Tweed, Jim Brown and so many more. Really great documentary with a lot of information that I was unaware of. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member A compelling documentary that uncloaks the man in question to be also a fierce philanthropist for racial equality, freedom in American literature, abolishment of segregation, pacifism, contraceptive rights, freedom of conscience and social justice. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member An interesting look at a fascinating character. He is an icon for a reason. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member Quite interesting, I didn't know about a lot of information that they reveal to us in thei film. Well done Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review Audience Member I learned some interesting things I hadn't known before about Hef and what it was like in 50s-60-70s when he was doing his prime work. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Hugh Hefner, magazine entrepreneur and lover of beautiful women, battles the U.S. government, religious groups and militant feminists to stay in business.
Director
Brigitte Berman
Producer
Brigitte Berman, Peter Raymont, Victor Solnicki
Distributor
Phase 4 Films
Rating
R (Sexual Content|Graphic Nudity)
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 30, 2010, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 22, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$21.9K
Runtime
2h 15m