Simply Perfect

Fresh and Exciting

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

In 1985, "The Times of Harvey Milk" won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. It's an exceptionally moving film about the political life and assassination of Harvey Milk, America's first openly gay politician. The film consists of lots of archival footage and interviews with people who knew and worked with Milk. Overall, it's a very, very good film--quite moving whether you are gay or straight and I can understand why it won the Oscar. However, one part of the film bothered me. While I know the film was about Harvey Milk, he was NOT the only one murdered that day by the evil Dan White. Before Milk was killed, Mayor Moscone was butchered as well--yet he is barely mentioned in the film. Now I am NOT saying the movie should have focused equally on Moscone (since it's called "The Times of Harvey Milk") but to focus again and again on JUST the murder of Milk seemed insensitive--the killing of both men was tragic. Still, it's well worth seeing--and quite sad.By the way, since this film came out in 1984, the story did not end with White only serving five years in jail and was then paroled!! This IS mentioned in the film. BUT, what isn't is that two years later, he killed himself (no great loss to the world).A better film would have focused on BOTH men...as today, few even remember that Moscone, too, was killed that day.

The Academy Awards celebrate the film works of many and often, the category that brings about much bitterness is Best Documentary. This category has been so dominated by films concerning World War 2 and it's very long shadows, anything about recent events, such as "The Thin Blue Line" or "Crumb", don't always have a fair chance at being nominated, much less winning.It's to the credit of all involved here that they help us learn more about Harvey Milk and the world before and after his assassination. Murdered minutes after Dan White fatally shot San Francisco Mayor George Moscone, Milk became the most visible example since the late Martin Luther King of a progressive figure almost certainly living each day as if it were his last. The climate of hate never truly ceases, it just moves at night and waits for the moment to destroy yet another person who bravely won't shut up and accept their oppression with a smile.Rob Epstein gives us the authentic footage featuring deathly quiet moments of grief from a candlelight procession thousands took part in after Milk died and the counterpoint, rioting in the streets after the ridiculously light sentence White was given became public knowledge. They're both equally poignant and two sides of the same psychosocial coin. For a jury to call what White did "manslaughter" was really lighting a fuse that wouldn't be put out until the inevitable explosion occurred.Human rights are not a top priority the world over and the abuses so many suffer with no recourse for justice are our 21st century mission to take on. Harvey Milk sacrificed for the next generation to have an easier life than him and his contemporaries. Now is the time to watch this great film and acknowledge his impact and legacy.

Harvey Milk was the first person who represented gay people in the states at the time. He proved that a gay guy could also do something big. He helped thousands and thousands of people who were afraid to come out from the closet(about 15 years ago, there was no place for gay people to hang out). He was also a great supervisor cause he leaded the people who really believed him to achieve their purposes and also fight for their rights. I was kinda astonished at the news of the murder. We know Harvey Milk died but his achievements would never fade away.BTW!the movie was kinda too long. we spent like 2 hours to finish it.

After watching this video in one of my classes, I think Harvey Milk was a remarkable man and I'm very admire his enthusiasm. He helped a lot of people who were afraid to speak out their opinions and thoughts, also he didn't care about that he was a gay supervisor and what others criticize him. I was touched by his spirit and courage, also I think no one can do as he did. A successful supervisor must have to catch people's mind and gain their trust, he also did it and donate himself to bring advantages to citizen. I think although finally he he had murdered, but it's no doubt that he is a remarkable man and I wish his spirit and contributions will last forever!