"The Times of Harvey Milk" New Yorker

directed by Rob Epstein
USA 1984

American triumph and American tragedy. The Times of Harvey Milk is a riveting and jaw-dropping documentary by director Rob Epstein. Milk was the first openly gay man elected to the city council of a major U.S. city. This occurred in 1977 in California. Milk was a major force in the early development of San Francisco's gay community and supported all minority causes. Within a year in his official position, he was assassinated, shot dead along with the Mayor, by a previous San Francisco council member named Dan White. Using photographs, interviews and archive footage the film shows us the development of the incident and also we are lead through the impossible circumstances behind the conviction and trail of the murderer. Harvey Fierstein provides a stoic narration devoid of sentimentality. This tends to heighten both the disbelief and the jarring emotional impact of some of the interviewees. Oscar winner of Best Documentary in 1985, this, at times one-sided, film is a strongly recommended viewing experience. Being ignorant of this historical event has only caused me to reflect further on the story's details. Gripping, emotional and totally fantastical. A must see - out of

Gary W. Tooze

Japanese POSTER

Theatrical Release: January 1985 - US Film Festival

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DVD Review: New Yorker - Region 1- NTSC

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Distribution	New Yorker Video - Region 1- NTSC
Runtime	1:27:42
Video	1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 6.28 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate:
Audio	English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
Subtitles	None
Features	Release Information: Studio: New Yorker Video Aspect Ratio: Full Screen (Standard) - 1.33:1 Edition Details: • Commentary by Rob Epstein, Deborah Hoffman, and Daniel Nicoletta • Theatrical trailers • 25th Anniversary Events: Harry Britt, Harvey Milk's appointed successor; Chris Moscone, George Moscone's son; Stuard Milk, Harvey Milk's nephew; Candlelight Memorial • 1st Anniversary: Mayor Dianne Feinstein • Outtakes Featurette: Harvey Speaks Out • Dan White Update (4:03) • Alternate Ending • San Francisco Premiere - Castro Theatre • Rob Epstein and Tom Ammiano at the Director's Guild Los Angeles (16:00) • Academy Awards Presentation - 1985 • Filmmakers' Photo Gallery • Number of discs: 2 DVD Release Date: June 8, 2004 Keep Case Chapters: 16
Comments:	To commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of Harvey Milk's assassination, Telling Pictures and New Yorker Films have released this special DVD edition of Rob Epstein's landmark documentary The Times of Harvey Milk, with commentary by Rob and editor Deborah Hoffmann. Excellent dual layered DVD from New Yorker. The image is as good as can be expected for a relatively low budget independent documentary film. Colors are true - some of the archival footage is damaged slightly but it has no effect on viewing enjoyment. Audio is clear. I would have preferred subtitles as an option to translate some background dialogue in newsreel footage. The Extras are endless, with commentary and a whole 2nd disc of detailed information. I would rank this up there with New Yorker "Jazz on a Summer's Day" as perhaps their best DVD release to date. This is a must-own disc. It is as eye-opening and enjoyable as any film/DVD I have seen all year. out of Gary W. Tooze