Career-defining role for John Hurt.
The Naked Civil Servant receives a special cinema screening nationwide on 28 May ahead of its blu-ray release.
It launches Picturehouse Cinemas’ Criminal Acts: A Charged Past season of classic British LGBT cinema that runs 28th May to 15th August, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1967 Sexual Offences Act. Shown for the first time in a newly restored high-definition version, the film is available to buy on blu-ray and DVD from 5th June.
Originally broadcast on British TV in 1976, The Naked Civil Servant was the compelling drama that won John Hurt his first Best Actor BAFTA, it tells the remarkable true story of Quentin Crisp, self-proclaimed England’s Stately Homo, who lived an openly homosexual lifestyle from the 1930s in London at a time when it was a criminal offence. Following his openly flamboyant life through the haunts of Belgravia, Chelsea and Soho, it brings us into the 1970s. His best-selling autobiography, The Naked Civil Servant forms the basis for Philip Mackie’s script for this highly acclaimed dram, directed by and produced by Verity Lambert (Doctor Who). BAFTA-nominated for best Single TV Drama and winning the prestigious Prix Italia Award, The Naked Civil Servant provides John Hurt with a career-defining performance.
Voted fourth in BFI’s Top 100 TV programmes of 20th Century, the film has been fully restored in high-definition from the original film elements and still retains its power and social relevance. It remains one of the most significant LGBT dramas of all time as well as a fitting tribute to a much loved actor.
The Naked Civil Servant (15) is screening in the Picturehouse ‘Criminal Acts: A Charged Past’ season in the selected cinemas on 28th May in both London and across the UK. Venues so far include:
In London – Ritzy Brixton, Central, Clapham, Crouch End, East Dulwich, Greenwich, Hackney, Stratford East
In other UK cities – Bath, Bradford, Brighton (Duke Of York), Cambridge, Edinburgh (Cameo), Exeter, Liverpool FACT, Norwich. Oxford, Southampton, York.
The Naked Civil Servant is released by Network.
