The Naked Civil Servant | 
| Director: Jack Gold
Actors: John Hurt, Liz Gebhardt, Patricia Hodge, Stanley Lebor, Katherine Schofield
Studio: Hbo Home Video
List Price: $19.98
Buy Used: $4.99
You Save: $14.99 (75%)
New (1) Used (15) Collectible (2) from $4.99
Rating:  12 reviews
Sales Rank: 26236
Format: Color, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: VHS Tape
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 4.2 x 1.1
UPC: 026359106736
EAN: 0026359106736
ASIN: B00000JQV3
Release Date: October 10, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: A chance to own this great biopic movie in an excellent watching condition!
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Between Oscar Wilde and Boy George, Quentin Crisp was the most important gay icon in England. The TV movie The Naked Civil Servant, adapted from Crisp's autobiography and broadcast in 1975, had a significant social impact in the cause of gay rights, and it's easy to see why. Packed with witty aphorism but also unflinching in its portrayal of the verbal and physical abuse Crisp received for being an openly effeminate homosexual; throughout most of Crisp's life, simply being flamboyant was a political statement, one not always appreciated by other gay men who sought to pass unsuspected. The film briskly moves from when he stumbled into London's gay demimonde to his bohemian social world and career as an artist's model to a particularly superb scene when he was put on trial for solicitation. The Naked Civil Servant also brought the brilliant John Hurt, who played Crisp with intelligence and humanity, to wide acclaim. Hurt has since appeared in movies as diverse as Alien, The Elephant Man, V for Vendetta, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, but Crisp remains a signature role for this unique actor. The fortuitous combination of Crisp and Hurt makes The Naked Civil Servant essential viewing. Extras on the dvd include a short television piece in which Crisp interviewed Tina Brown when she was editor of Vanity Fair and a sweet, reminiscing commentary by Hurt, director Jack Gold, and producer Verity Lambert. --Bret Fetzer
Description
Now stylishly re-packaged, THE NAKED CIVIL SERVANT celebrates the life of the late Quentin Crisp. Starring John Hurt, in a performance that brought him international acclaim, THE NAKED CIVIL SERVANT tells the extraordinary true-life tale of this 20th Century Oscar Wilde. Famous for his flamboyant personal style and witty, sharp-taloned observations, Quentin Crisp was never ashamed to be...Quentin Crisp. "When I was coming to America, I went to the American Embassy and the man asked me 'Are you a practicing homosexual?' And I said I didn't practice. I was already perfect." Quentin was outrageous at a time when England was easily outraged. But while some were in hiding, Quentin was in mascara. From art student to male prostitute, from commercial artist to artist's model, if exhibitionism was a drug, he would soon become a lifelong addict. "A startling, thoroughly fascinating portrait of one of those exotic creatures who adamantly refuse to behave 'properly' in this world." - The New York Times (1976)
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| Customer Reviews: Read 7 more reviews...
I WANNA BE ME... January 15, 2002
Lawyeraau (Balmoral Castle)
22 out of 23 found this review helpful
This is an amazingly good film with a superlative performance by John Hurt in the role of Quentin Crisp, a flamboyant English homosexual in the days when being such was anything but comfortable. Brilliantly played by Hurt, Crisp was a born in 1908 and was aware that he was different from an early age. He grew up in an era where homosexuality was not an option as a life style. Still, he managed to make it in a world that was decidedly unfriendly to those like him. Witty and self assured, he lived his life as he wanted, despite the hardships he faced due to his self professed homosexuality. He was a trailblazer and poster boy for an alternative life style.
John Hurt deservedly won the British Best Actor award for his incisive portrayal of Quentin Crisp. It is no wonder that his performance was critically acclaimed. It is nothing short of brilliant. His is a touching and sympathetic portrayal of an individual who wanted nothing more than to be able to be himself. It is a performance that is not to be missed. The film is an absolute gem.
Sad and funny October 10, 2001
Cadfael (Vienna, Austria)
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
"John Hurt", quoth Quentin Crisp, "is my representative on earth." And so he is. The two men become indistinguishable. I bought this film because I wanted to see John Hurt and didn't really care in whatever character - in fact I was afraid this might be a silly exploitative fairy comedy like "A cage of fools". But then I got captivated, and not only because Hurt makes a really cute fairy (and shows so much skin). The film has a lot of atmosphere, there are many witticisms - my favorite is Quentins reason why he thinks he'd make a good soldier: "Anyone can get killed. Even I can do that." There is so much that is ridiculous and sometimes repulsive, so much that is sad, or funny, or deeply moving like the courtroom scene. In the end the film left me wondering why a man must suffer so much for simply being different, when his being different hurts no one.
where is the DVD version??? February 28, 2004
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
This brilliant piece of work should long since have been released on DVD. And "An evening with Quentin Crisp" (now OP even in VHS) should also be DVDized!
Top of the "A" list October 23, 2003
T. Hulse
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
This film was an excellant mix of outstanding acting, fantastic script and overall an uplifting story. I totally enjoyed the film and could not even start to tell you why without a mile long list. I would strongly suggest that you buy it and you will understand. This is an excellant investment. The truth is even better than fiction and I now have a new found understanding and respect for Q. Crisp. One of the strongest persons, that I know of in the past 100 years. Be inspired!! Be grateful for the times we live in. A tool to help find pride in the victories of the past.
One of the great page to screen adaptations. December 1, 2004
I. Sondel (Tallahassee, FL United States)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
"The Naked Civil Servant" has long been one of very favorite books, and now Jack Gold has brought that story to life in this superb film. Quentin Crisp was a pioneer of the 'silence = death' philosophy adopted by the gay rights movement in the 80's and 90's. An uninhibited homosexual in a time when it was illegal, Crisp never lost his wit or his dignity dispite living through poverty, malicious prosecution and physical abuse. John Hurt - long a favorite for his work in "10 Rellington Place," "Midnight Express," "The Elephant Man," "Love and Death on Long Island" and "Scandal" - won a much deserved Best Actor award from the British Film Academy for his work here. He has never been better. A wonderful and inspiring story of one man's triumph over adversity.
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