The Leather Boys (DVD)

An engaging hybrid of British kitchen sink drama and American biker film, this atmospheric feature was considered daring in 1964 as it touched upon homosexuality, however obliquely. It has a suitably somber appearance in black and white but having been filmed in CinemaScope there is a certain elegance to its imagery.

The youthful Reggie (Colin Campbell) a biker, meets Dot (Rita Tushingham) a naive schoolgirl and they hastily get married. Neither of them is mature enough to cope with marriage and eventually drift apart as whenever they're together they argue bitterly. Reggie starts hanging out with bikers alot more especially the care-free, jovial Pete (Dudley Sutton) who moves into a room with Reggie after reggie leaves his wife. This leads Reggie to become confused, but he does his best to conform and return to Dot, however there is no happy ending for anyone.

The film is especially interesting due to the beautiful photography and period locations. Colin Campbell is quite suited to the role of a confused youth trying hard but not prepared to be an adult. His boyish presence is essential to the theme of sexual repression which precipitates all the minor tragedies and frustrations in his life, and the lives of those around him.

One of the most important British films made, and very much of its decade (the 1960s), The Leather Boys is equally important as a groundbreaking production in gay cinema. Highly recommended.