Before It Was Legal: Gay Movies Set Before Decriminalisation

Go West

2005 Comedy, Drama

Set in 1990s Sarajevo, Milan and Kenan, a gay couple, face ethnic conflict and danger, leading to a risky survival plan.

SHORT FILM

Dino at the Beach

2022 Drama, Romance

Dino plans to relax and catch some sun on the beach until Sebastian, a stranger, arrives on the island. They spend an amorous afternoon together, but each interprets their encounter differently.

Against the Law

2017 Drama, Romance

Peter Wildeblood's affair with a serviceman he met in Piccadilly during the time homosexuality was a crime, and the devastating consequences of their relationship.

The Imitation Game

2014 Drama, Thriller

During WWII, Alan Turing, a brilliant mathematician, battles personal turmoil while leading efforts to crack the German Enigma code, a pivotal moment in history.

SHORT FILM

Putting on the Dish

2015 Comedy, Drama

In 1960s London, two gay men discuss life, love, and societal challenges in Polari, highlighting the struggles and camaraderie of the era.

Christopher and His Kind

2011 Drama, Romance

Christopher Isherwood and his German lover, Heinz, navigate their burgeoning relationship amidst the backdrop of 1930s Europe and the looming specter of Nazism.

The Naked Civil Servant

1975 Comedy, Drama

The life and times of Quentin Crisp, an outrageous and flamboyant homosexual, coming of age and growing into old age in conservative England.

On Swift Horses

2025 Drama

Muriel and her husband Lee are about to begin a bright new life, which is upended by the arrival of Lee's brother. Muriel embarks on a secret life, gambling on racehorses and discovering a love she never thought possible.

Loev

2015 Drama

A weekend getaway between friends takes an unexpected turn, prompting introspection about love, loyalty, and personal growth.

Hidden Pleasures

1977 Drama

A successful, closeted banker falls passionately in love with a handsome but impoverished 18-year-old student, leading to devastating consequences for the young man. This is a modern retelling of 'Death in Venice'.

Lilies

1996 Fantasy, Mystery, Romance

A bishop's visit to a prison for a confession turns into a reflection on past love and betrayal through an unexpected play by the inmates.

Before Night Falls

2000 Drama, Romance

The life of Cuban writer Reinaldo Arenas is examined, including his struggles and triumphs.

Straight-Jacket

2004 Comedy, Romance

In 1950s Hollywood, movie star Guy Stone must marry a studio secretary to conceal his homosexuality. Sally, unaware of the sham marriage, turns Guy's life upside-down as he falls in love.

Midnight Cowboy

1969 Drama

A naive street worker travels from Texas to New York City to seek personal fortune, finding a new friend in the process.

Gods and Monsters

1998 Drama

Academy Award winner James Whale, acclaimed creator of the Frankenstein movies, begins an unlikely friendship with his handsome gardener.

Howl

2010 Drama, Romance

Allen Ginsberg's life and art are examined, including his famous poem and its obscenity trial.

SHORT FILM

Sisak

2017 Drama, Romance

Sisak portrays a silent romance blossoming amidst the bustling Mumbai local trains, capturing the intimacy and quiet connection between two men during their daily journeys.

SHORT FILM

Tanjong Rhu

2009 Drama, Romance

A former military officer makes a film about a man he encountered in Tanjong Rhu, a secluded cruising ground.

Kill Your Darlings

2013 Drama, Romance, Thriller

In 1944, a murder brings together iconic Beat Generation poets Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, and William Burroughs, intertwining their lives amidst wartime intrigue.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

2022 Drama

Mexican teenagers Aristotle and Dante explore their friendship while struggling with racial and ethnic identity, sexuality and family relationships in 1987 El Paso, Texas.

Remembering the Man

2015 Documentary, Romance

Tim and John's sixteen-year love story faces societal challenges and the specter of AIDS, immortalized in Timothy Conigrave's memoir and adapted for stage and screen.

Play the Devil

2016 Drama

Trinidad and Tobago's Carnival sets the stage for a transformative encounter between a struggling young man and an older businessman, reshaping their lives in unexpected ways.

Ka Bodyscapes

2016 Drama

In a conservative Indian city, Haris, a gay painter, Vishnu, a rural kabaddi player, and activist Sia defy societal norms, navigating their unique struggles for acceptance and happiness.

Tom of Finland

2017 Drama

Portrays the life and impact of artist Touko Valio Laaksonen, celebrating his influence on 20th-century gay culture through art and personal freedom.

Al Berto

2017 Drama

Al Berto, set in 1975 Portugal, portrays the vibrant youth of writer Al Berto and his friends amidst societal change post-dictatorship, exploring their dreams and love in a country not yet ready for their story.

Canary

2018 Drama, Musical

Drafted into the South African army during apartheid, a young soldier discovers romance amidst the military's traveling choir, confronting his suppressed sexuality.

The Happy Prince

2018 Drama

An untold glimpse into Oscar Wilde's final days, as he humorously observes his own tragic circumstances with ironic detachment.