The Naked Civil Servant

TV-14

1975

1 hr. 20 min.

Biography

List

Reviews

92%

500+ Ratings

Audience Score

Quentin Crisp makes the bold choice of exhibiting his homosexuality in the highly conservative environment of England in the 1930s and 1940s. What's more, he adopts a self-consciously flamboyant and theatrical persona destined to attract negative attention, although he navigates the streets of London with caution as he comes of age against a backdrop of homophobia. But when he is confronted with criminal charges, he must decide how willing he is to defend his lifestyle.

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Alec B

Hurt is incredible here, a performance that captures the big persona of Crisp along with a deep, quiet melancholy.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/27/24

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robert p

John Hurt plays a gay man in early 70's and enjoys a lot of men from all walks of life in this autobiography of a famous man - The Naked Civil Servant!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

isla s

This is a perhaps somewhat comical film but of course its also very serious, in terms of the treatment of obviously gay people in the time period covered (the 1950s-1970s I assume). Some of the dialogue I found amusing, some I found quite moving and seeing things from the main characters point of view certainly did help me to imagine what it must have been like for those affected by the clearly prejudiced laws of the land at the time. This film does well at humanising such a person, giving an insight into their thoughts at times, how they deal with the situations they find themselves in, including being assaulted by people on the street. It can't be denied that it takes a certain amount of strong will and defiance to not hide away your sexuality during a time of such homophobia. I thought this film is a good piece of social history, although it (inevitably and somewhat importantly) contains some language which would nowadays be regarded as offensive but generally its worth a watch.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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martin n

Let people live the lives they want!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

a tour de force performance from John Hurt and well made production all round

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

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Audience Member

Based on the autobiography of Mr. Quentin Crisp, this TV Serial/ film was originally broadcast in 1975 - is still a trailblazing piece of television. Definitely worth a watch, although not for the easily offended. Awe inspiring performance by John Hurt Superb acting. Highly recommended. 5 stars without a doubt.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

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Jack Gold

Director

John Hurt

Quentin Crisp

Liz Gebhardt

Art Student

Patricia Hodge

Ballet Teacher

Stanley Lebor

Mr. Pole

Katherine Schofield

Mrs. Pole

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John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien – The RT Interview

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Kate Muir

Times (UK)

Thanks to Hurt's extraordinary performance -- soft-skinned, red-lipped and determined to fight politely for his rights -- it still seems relevant and not just an exercise in nostalgia.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 8, 2017

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Bebe Scarpie

Drag

There is something in The Naked Civil Servant for everyone.

May 12, 2022

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Charles Faber

Los Angeles Free Press

It is well that Hurt's performance is preserved on film, for it is an extraordinary achievement.

Oct 23, 2019

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Alistair Ryder

Gay Essential

The Naked Civil Servant is camp and unabashedly so - but it has far more going on beneath the surface, and helped usher in more nuanced portrayals of LGBT people and culture in the years to come.

Oct 8, 2018

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Synopsis

Quentin Crisp makes the bold choice of exhibiting his homosexuality in the highly conservative environment of England in the 1930s and 1940s. What's more, he adopts a self-consciously flamboyant and theatrical persona destined to attract negative attention, although he navigates the streets of London with caution as he comes of age against a backdrop of homophobia. But when he is confronted with criminal charges, he must decide how willing he is to defend his lifestyle.

Director: Jack Gold
Screenwriter: Philip Mackie
Production Co: Thames Television
Rating: TV-14
Genre: Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): May 29, 2007