Victim (film)

The British film Victim, made in 1961 and directed by Basil Deardon , starred Dirk Bogarde and Sylvia Simms .

The film tells the story of the blackmailing of a homosexual barrister. Despite the risks to himself (the director made the film at a time when homosexuality rated as a criminal offence in the UK), the barrister tracks the blackmailers down and brings them to justice.

Victim became a highly significant film in social terms: many believe it played an influential role in liberalising cultural attitudes (as well as British law) regarding homosexuality. It was the first film in which the word "homosexual" appeared.

See also: Wolfenden report, List of gay movies