The Times of Harvey Milk

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The Times of Harvey Milk

1984

1h 27m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

28 Reviews

94%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Operating from his camera store in San Francisco's Castro district, charismatic Harvey Milk is defeated three times before being elected to the city's Board of Supervisors, making him California's first openly gay public official. On the job he meets fellow supervisor Dan White, a homophobic ex-fireman with whom Milk develops a troubled working relationship. White grows increasingly disgruntled, resigns from his position and subsequently assassinates both Milk and Mayor George Moscone.

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Critics Consensus

True to its title, The Times of Harvey Milk looks back on the life of the titular politician and activist -- and the era he helped define with his trailblazing career.

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Judy Stone

San Francisco Chronicle

Dec 8

4/4

The sadness of his tragic end is illuminated by all the evidence in this film that one man can make a difference.

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

05/28/2020

3.5/4

''The Times of Harvey Milk'' is anything but a dispassionate documentary.

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Paul Attanasio

Washington Post

01/04/2018

... an unremarkable documentary about the San Francisco politico...

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 13

3.5/4

A richly detailed film that takes the story beyond Milk and White to create a vivid impression of a specific time and place.

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Michael Bronski

Gay Community News (Boston)

09/21/2022

Both a documentary and a personal statement; a skillful recreation of history and an analysis of what history means to us as a gay community. It is as much a story of the birth and emergence of gay pride and gay anger as it is the story of any one man.

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

08/31/2022

B-

The subject commands more respect and affection than does the movie itself.

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Leaburn O

@RT35452347 Nov 2

A story I’d never heard before but one everyone should know. A chilling judicial case and a top riot in the days when people could and did riot properly. A more than worthy best documentary winner from the 80s. Watched on YouTube.

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helder f

@uniquecliches 01/18/2025

Harvey Milk, a remarkable documentary, chronicles his remarkable journey to becoming a San Francisco supervisor, culminating in his tragic murder. This captivating piece of history serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and justice. Perhaps minorities, in particular, should watch it more than non-minorities. As society evolves towards seemingly accepting many differences, we still have a long way to go.

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terry w

@RT41901345 04/21/2021

An important event in USA history. It's so helpful to hear opinions directly from people who were there, including allies. There's a scene near the end that always makes me intensely angry. It helps me understand why anyone would go out and burn the symbols of unjust authority.

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Spencer P

@s_plewe 04/13/2017

A surprisingly non-manipulative doc that chronicles this explosive time in American history that shines with inspiration as well as irony of activist movements of any kind.

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12/11/2016

Very good round up of the life of H. Milk surrounding his rise to the city of San Francisco council in support of the homosexual life style. He was the most outgoing and outspoken of them all, making humourous and compelling arguments in defense of homos. It was a fight and the conservative side did not like losing the battle at the mayoral offices, forcing Dan White to go back in position. DW was refused and HM actively pressured the mayor to refuse his reinstatement. DW somehow lost it and killed the ennemies, the mayor and HM. Good extras in the DVD that brings more light to the situation at the time and many other supporting characters.

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01/20/2016

I love this movie !!

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Rob Epstein

Director

Harvey Fierstein

Narrator

Harvey Milk

Self

Anne Kronenberg

Self

Tory Hartmann

Self

Tom Ammiano

Self

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Synopsis

Operating from his camera store in San Francisco's Castro district, charismatic Harvey Milk is defeated three times before being elected to the city's Board of Supervisors, making him California's first openly gay public official. On the job he meets fellow supervisor Dan White, a homophobic ex-fireman with whom Milk develops a troubled working relationship. White grows increasingly disgruntled, resigns from his position and subsequently assassinates both Milk and Mayor George Moscone.

Director: Rob Epstein
Producer: Richard Schmiechen
Screenwriter: Judith Coburn, Carter Wilson
Distributor: New Yorker Films, TC Films International
Production Co: Pacific Arts, Black Sand Productions
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 20, 1984, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 29, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $13.6K
Runtime: 1h 27m

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