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The Times of Harvey Milk

Play trailer Poster for The Times of Harvey Milk 1984 1h 27m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 28 Reviews 94% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Operating from his camera store in San Francisco's Castro district, charismatic Harvey Milk is defeated three times before being elected to the city's Board of Supervisors, making him California's first openly gay public official. On the job he meets fellow supervisor Dan White, a homophobic ex-fireman with whom Milk develops a troubled working relationship. White grows increasingly disgruntled, resigns from his position and subsequently assassinates both Milk and Mayor George Moscone.
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The Times of Harvey Milk

The Times of Harvey Milk

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Critics Consensus

True to its title, The Times of Harvey Milk looks back on the life of the titular politician and activist -- and the era he helped define with his trailblazing career.

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Critics Reviews

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Judy Stone San Francisco Chronicle Dec 8
4/4
The sadness of his tragic end is illuminated by all the evidence in this film that one man can make a difference. Go to Full Review Gene Siskel Chicago Tribune 05/28/2020
3.5/4
''The Times of Harvey Milk'' is anything but a dispassionate documentary. Go to Full Review Paul Attanasio Washington Post 01/04/2018
... an unremarkable documentary about the San Francisco politico... Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Nov 13
3.5/4
A richly detailed film that takes the story beyond Milk and White to create a vivid impression of a specific time and place. Go to Full Review Michael Bronski Gay Community News (Boston) 09/21/2022
Both a documentary and a personal statement; a skillful recreation of history and an analysis of what history means to us as a gay community. It is as much a story of the birth and emergence of gay pride and gay anger as it is the story of any one man. Go to Full Review Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault 08/31/2022
B-
The subject commands more respect and affection than does the movie itself. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Leaburn O @RT35452347 Nov 2 A story I’d never heard before but one everyone should know. A chilling judicial case and a top riot in the days when people could and did riot properly. A more than worthy best documentary winner from the 80s. Watched on YouTube. See more helder f @uniquecliches 01/18/2025 Harvey Milk, a remarkable documentary, chronicles his remarkable journey to becoming a San Francisco supervisor, culminating in his tragic murder. This captivating piece of history serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and justice. Perhaps minorities, in particular, should watch it more than non-minorities. As society evolves towards seemingly accepting many differences, we still have a long way to go. See more terry w @RT41901345 04/21/2021 An important event in USA history. It's so helpful to hear opinions directly from people who were there, including allies. There's a scene near the end that always makes me intensely angry. It helps me understand why anyone would go out and burn the symbols of unjust authority. See more Spencer P @s_plewe 04/13/2017 A surprisingly non-manipulative doc that chronicles this explosive time in American history that shines with inspiration as well as irony of activist movements of any kind. See more 12/11/2016 Very good round up of the life of H. Milk surrounding his rise to the city of San Francisco council in support of the homosexual life style. He was the most outgoing and outspoken of them all, making humourous and compelling arguments in defense of homos. It was a fight and the conservative side did not like losing the battle at the mayoral offices, forcing Dan White to go back in position. DW was refused and HM actively pressured the mayor to refuse his reinstatement. DW somehow lost it and killed the ennemies, the mayor and HM. Good extras in the DVD that brings more light to the situation at the time and many other supporting characters. See more 01/20/2016 I love this movie !! See more Read all reviews
The Times of Harvey Milk

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Cast & Crew

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Rob Epstein

Director

Harvey Fierstein

Narrator

Harvey Milk

Self

Anne Kronenberg

Self

Tory Hartmann

Self

Tom Ammiano

Self

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The Times of Harvey Milk

The Times of Harvey Milk (1984) The Times of Harvey Milk (1984) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Operating from his camera store in San Francisco's Castro district, charismatic Harvey Milk is defeated three times before being elected to the city's Board of Supervisors, making him California's first openly gay public official. On the job he meets fellow supervisor Dan White, a homophobic ex-fireman with whom Milk develops a troubled working relationship. White grows increasingly disgruntled, resigns from his position and subsequently assassinates both Milk and Mayor George Moscone.
Director
Rob Epstein
Producer
Richard Schmiechen
Screenwriter
Judith Coburn, Carter Wilson
Distributor
New Yorker Films, TC Films International
Production Co
Pacific Arts, Black Sand Productions
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 20, 1984, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 29, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA)
$13.6K
Runtime
1h 27m