Customer Reviews

The Naked Civil Servant

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4 star:		(4)
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"John Hurt", quoth Quentin Crisp, "is my representative on earth." And so he is. The two men become indistinguishable. I bought this film because I wanted to see John Hurt and didn't really care in whatever character - in fact I was afraid this might be a silly exploitative fairy comedy like "A cage of fools". But then I got captivated, and not only because Hurt makes a really cute fairy (and shows so much skin). The film has a lot of atmosphere, there are many witticisms - my favorite is Quentins reason why he thinks he'd make a good soldier: "Anyone can get killed. Even I can do that." There is so much that is ridiculous and sometimes repulsive, so much that is sad, or funny, or deeply moving like the courtroom scene. In the end the film left me wondering why a man must suffer so much for simply being different, when his being different hurts no one.

This is an amazingly good film with a superlative performance by John Hurt in the role of Quentin Crisp, a flamboyant English homosexual in the days when being such was anything but comfortable. Brilliantly played by Hurt, Crisp was a born in 1908 and was aware that he was different from an early age. He grew up in an era where homosexuality was not an option as a life style. Still, he managed to make it in a world that was decidedly unfriendly to those like him. Witty and self assured, he lived his life as he wanted, despite the hardships he faced due to his self professed homosexuality. He was a trailblazer and poster boy for an alternative life style.

John Hurt deservedly won the British Best Actor award for his incisive portrayal of Quentin Crisp. It is no wonder that his performance was critically acclaimed. It is nothing short of brilliant. His is a touching and sympathetic portrayal of an individual who wanted nothing more than to be able to be himself. It is a performance that is not to be missed. The film is an absolute gem.

This brilliant piece of work should long since have been released on DVD. And "An evening with Quentin Crisp" (now OP even in VHS) should also be DVDized!

The great British eccentric is often referred to but really seen. The late Quintin Crisp was a glorious example. A man whose sexual identity was confused from a very early age allows The Naked Civil Servant to reveal his struggles to become accepted in a stiff society still heavily influenced by the Victorian era. A man who would brazenly wear make-up, flamboyant clothes and was openly homosexual and paid dearly for his defiance of the morals of the day. It is a story of remarkable courage and despite its content this is not a 'gay' film. It is an absorbing drama about one man and his attempts to change the rigid system. Filled with humor and wit, it also depicts tragedy and pain. Superbly played by John Hurt in the role that brought him to world wide attention, it is a drama of the highest order.

This film was an excellant mix of outstanding acting, fantastic script and overall an uplifting story. I totally enjoyed the film and could not even start to tell you why without a mile long list. I would strongly suggest that you buy it and you will understand. This is an excellant investment. The truth is even better than fiction and I now have a new found understanding and respect for Q. Crisp. One of the strongest persons, that I know of in the past 100 years. Be inspired!! Be grateful for the times we live in. A tool to help find pride in the victories of the past.

"The Naked Civil Servant" has long been one of very favorite books, and now Jack Gold has brought that story to life in this superb film. Quentin Crisp was a pioneer of the 'silence = death' philosophy adopted by the gay rights movement in the 80's and 90's. An uninhibited homosexual in a time when it was illegal, Crisp never lost his wit or his dignity dispite living through poverty, malicious prosecution and physical abuse. John Hurt - long a favorite for his work in "10 Rellington Place," "Midnight Express," "The Elephant Man," "Love and Death on Long Island" and "Scandal" - won a much deserved Best Actor award from the British Film Academy for his work here. He has never been better. A wonderful and inspiring story of one man's triumph over adversity.

I knew Quentin Crisp at the end of his life (for about twenty-six months, we ending up going out to a dinner, flick or play with a party of friends practically every weekend), and John Hurt has him down pat in this glorious film. CIVIL SERVANT, in either its English tv incarnation or book version, was most Americans' introduction to the unique Mr. C., and remains both a great jumping-off place to begin exploring Crisp-World, and one of the best film biographies ever. Like Henry Higgins' definition of good manners, Quentin was always the same to everyone, in every circumstance; public or private, the man remained his own spectacular creation, and the marvelous Hurt shows the origins of what was to become an internationally celebrated life. Thoroughly enjoyable, and highly, highly recommended.

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This made-for-television BBC film from the mid-'70s is worth viewing for John Hurt's acting skill alone.

I saw this on PBS' Masterpiece Theater over thirty years ago and was mesmerized.
Hurt was hot off the set of I, Claudius where his portrayal of Caius ("Caligula") is a wonder of the art of acting wherein he combined hubris, langour, madness, and humour--what a confection!
I, Claudius/The Epic That Never Was

Hurt is of course a working actor, and unfortunately he has not always been given the excellent rôles he richly deserves. But, for example, his realization of Montrose in Rob Roy is the purest gold worth any amount of dross.
Rob Roy

Cheers to John Hurt who was born to play Quentin Crisp--"one of the great queans of England!"
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See too:
Wilde (Special Edition) (Oscar Wilde)
Carrington (Lytton Strachey)
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So Quentin Crisp himself tells us in the little intro he does to this depiction of his life story. And "The Naked Civil Servant" is a far cry from being the WORST thing I've ever seen. I stumbled across this movie, and I'm certainly glad I did--it's a real hoot! John Hurt does an excellent job playing Quentin, who learns bit by bit to follow his own dictates and live a gay lifestyle in the 1920s, right up through 1975. Along the way, he collects an off-beat coterie of friends, including Lord Alcohol and The Pole. One of the oddest things about the movie for me is how pretty John Hurt looks--he actually bears a striking resemblance to Sarah Churchill, Fred Astaire's love interest in "Royal Wedding", which I suppose she wouldn't like hearing, but there it is. "The Naked Civil Servant" makes an excellent pitch for toleration of those who lifestyles differ from the mainstream.

I was delighted to see this release coming out, so I pre-ordered. Had some concerns, considering how long ago the BBC production aired in the US. I know I was in college, and I was very impressed with John Hurt's performance.

Seeing this some 27 years later, it still impresses me. My wife saw this and exclaimed that John Hurt really is a good actor. She now understands why I attempt to see every movie he is in. Even if it is just a walk-on part.

Full screen format was disappointing, but the print quality is very good. Sound is Mono, but then I would expect that of a 27 year old TV movie.

By the way, the subject matter is handled with as much grace as possible, but it is blunt. The court room scene makes the message.