Fortune and Men's Eyes (1971) User Reviews

A Most Taboo Subject

[bkoganbing · 8/10 · 6 July 2009]

Fortune And Men's Eyes is another one of those works that could never have been filmed until after the Stonewall Rebellion and certainly not while the Code was in place in Hollywood. Now the fact of homosexuality in prison is simply a given, but when you think of all the great prison films in the classic Hollywood studio age like The Big House, Each Dawn I Die, or Brute Force, you'd think these men had simply turned off the sexual energy once incarcerated. If there is homosexuality it is very subtly implied.

This is more than implied it's the result of incarcerated people having no other outlet. Seems perfectly reasonable now, but back in the day, a most taboo subject.

The original play was done within the confines of a single cell that housed four different prisoners and it's their story being told. Zooey Hall rules the cell and he's got his eyes on new inmate Wendell Burton just arrived. Also in the cell are Danny Freedman who is a weak kid without anyone to protect him. As a result he's victimized by everyone and that includes the guards. Presiding over it all is Queenie, a most flamboyant gay man who's discovered that prison could be an interesting place to be if sex is used properly and withheld occasionally. Michael Greer is Queenie and Greer originated the role off Broadway.

Incarcerated people don't cease being sexual beings even when they're incarcerated is the simple message of Fortune In Men's Eyes. Of course it took gays and lesbians coming out of the closet to get that message out to the general public. It's the reasons why some states and prisons have adopted a policy of conjugal visits. If not to cease the practice of rape in prison, at least to lessen it.

This is not limited to men. Although there is certainly implied lesbianism in the MGM classic Caged about a woman's prison, can you imagine how explicit a modern remake would be? In fact I'm surprised that film hasn't been remade.

Fortune And Men's Eyes is still a film with quite a revealing message that will sear your soul. Watch it, but not if you're squeamish.

Candid Prison Drama

[harry-76 · 8/10 · 29 January 2004]

It was a good thing they had a cast-audience group discussion following off-Broadway weekend performances of "Fortune and Men's Eyes."

That way whatever questions may have been on attendees' minds could be fielded directly to cast members and director, which were seated across the proscenium.

After the performance I had the pleasure of attending, I was struck by the candor of that production's "working family." Somehow, the intimate nature of the play appeared to make for great cast cohesiveness, and the discussion was lively and informative. It also provided greater clarity as to what both Playwright John Herbert had in mind and what the director was trying to express.

Unfortunately, in the film version (scripted by the playwright) there was something missing. Despite a fine cast delivering thoroughly thoughtful performances, an unrelenting downbeat pall seems to hover over everything.

It's been reported that the film's producers wanted the sensational qualities emphasized; they got their wish--probably at the expense of a broader, more poetic and philosophical statement of the human condition.

Michael Greer offered an outstanding Queenie, a character that is quite convincing. However, it's a bitter, sardonic soul whose surface sense of humor's only a cover for a wounded interior.

Zooey Hall's Rocky is likewise expertly rendered and completely believable--yet a crafty and cold individual with few redeeming qualities.

Wendell Burton's Smitty is the most empathetic character, yet a "pothead" and "looser"--not at all the "innocent" he purports to be.

Harvey Hart's & Jules Schwerin's codirection is adequate, given their parameters. Yet the entire production fails to rise much above the norm, despite many powerful and effective expose scenes.

It's interesting to note the careers of the above three lead actors: Burton had the most work, yet roles were few and far between, and he retired from acting at the early age of 40. Hall, despite his good looks and fine talent, only did three more films after this. Greer likewise had a very limited film career (his Queenie role perhaps seriously type casting him).

Though I never saw Sal Mineo's stage production, I heard that it was even more controversial and sensational than either of the above two versions.

And that's going some.

Pretty good, and available on Youtube

[sartor023 · 7/10 · 7 January 2019]

I saw some friends talking about this film on the internet, and decided to see if I could find it anywhere. It's not available at all on DVD, but my state library system does have it on VHS tape. I have no VHS tape player, as I got rid of it years ago. BUT, someone mentioned that it's available online. free.. The resolution isn't very good, but it's watchable!

One of the most shocking film of 1971!

[Serpent-5 · 23 August 1999]

Smitty (Burton) goes to prison and realize that it place where inmates set each other up, and also a place where there is no women, so a weak prisoners are forced to be sex slaves for tougher prisoners. He shares a cell with a drag queen name Queenie (Greer) and a tough Christian Slater type name Rocky (Hall). Smitty becomes friends with Rocky, not knowing that Rocky wants Smitty to be his lover. Crisp dialogue, well edited scenes, make this film very shocking for 1971. Hall is a standout as Rocky and gives a very icey performance that makes me wonder why he didn't become a big star playing villians in films (only other big work he did was 99 44/100% DEAD in 1974). Burton and Greer is also good, as Burton does a fine job projecting a innocent kid who keep looking at his picture of his girlfriend, knowing life isn't going to be same. Canadian actor Danny Freedman is also effective at the end scene that is another shocker. Don't see this film if you are offended or scared of the subject. But I think it's one of the best film of the 70's. Highly Recommended.

"If I do fix him up, it'll be with a star!!!" - Queenie

[Blooeyz2001 · 6/10 · 23 October 2004]

This movie is entertaining exploitation, but not very realistic. It's filled with every prison movie cliché you can think of & then some. What's unrealistic is the way these men act when they've only got six month sentences. You would think they were in for life considering the sexual role playing going on here. Queenie (the late Michael Greer) would be slapped down & pounced into the ground the first five minutes into his flaming, limp-wristed carrying on in a real correctional institution. No one would tolerate such behavior. Yet, he calls himself a "politician" solely on the fact that he's a flamboyant, loud, obnoxious homosexual. I don't think so. His Christmas drag show is ridiculous. It's as though he's planning a performance for the local gay bar, not prison, prancing around the hoosegow looking for high heels & bleach for his curly locks. C'mon!!! It's outrageous. His eventual song & dance routine is insufferable. I could have also done without seeing full frontal nudity from this man! Pug nosed Wendell Burton is perfectly cast as first time offender Smitty. This character is also a major cliché. He "hardens" up as the movie progresses as though years, not months are passing. Rocky is far from intimidating. I feel that's because slight, pretty boy Zooey Hall was a poor casting choice. He comes off as effeminate at times & Smitty could have successfully defended himself against him right from the get-go. The actor who plays Jann (Mona Lisa) is dreadful, & is incarcerated because a crime was committed against HIM (it makes no sense). Watch this if you enjoy prison films, but don't take one minute seriously.

Very Graphic and Daring for its Time

[none-85 · 9/10 · 25 December 2002]

Theme of homosexuality and rape in prison was very daring for its time (1971). You could feel the pain of the lead character as he succumbs to the brutal advances of his cellmate, while longing for his girlfriend.

I saw the movie when it first came out, and I still remember the line uttered by a prisoner as he observes a gang rape- "Nobody's going to stop a man from getting his oats." It's one of my all-time favorite quotes from films.

Fairly standard men's prison flick

[moonspinner55 · 5/10 · 16 March 2001]

Cold, grainy picture made in Canada follows naïve drug-user (Wendell Burton, excellent here as he was in "The Sterile Cuckoo") through rigors of prison life. Adapted from John Herbert's autobiographical play, originally performed in Los Angeles with Sal Mineo as producer, the movie is a curiosity piece, what with a sadly outré drag show and the usual homosexual content handled in somewhat sensational manner. Reportedly a troubled production, it is occasionally gripping and intense, yet impossibly downbeat. Several of the key supporting players are very good, and the narrative and scenario are more solid here than in the not-dissimilar "Short Eyes". ** from ****

Excellent Storyline About Gay Prison Life

[HDude · 10/10 · 27 August 1999]

The storyline kept me glued to the set. This is a must see if just to watch the charactor "queenie". Who somehow reminded me of Paul Stanley from KISS. The plot revolves around prison sex and the roles each plays in each others lives. Definatly a surprise ending I didnt expect

Exploration of male identity in a prison setting

[roidessinges · 2/10 · 20 July 2005]

As with most prison movies, the setting is merely a vehicle for telling the story. Prison ain't like that; talking to a couple cons and ex-cons, or even, god forbid, doing a little research from printed material, would really go a long way.

That said, if this movie wasn't so poorly acted and mis-cast, this might have been more watchable, because the plot is interesting enough, exploring male roles and male sexuality. The problem is in the acting - it's dreadful. And the mis-casting of the antagonist - it is impossible to suspend disbelief enough believe he's a big bad sexual predator who could possibly over-power the protagonist, who is bulkier, more "butch", and more physically imposing.

I suspect the main culprit for these flaws is simply the era. I'm sure in 1971 it was impossible to find more qualified actors who would touch this kind of subject matter with a ten foot pole, for fear of torpedoing their careers. Times have certainly changed since then.

A better prison fable about male sexuality and male relationships is the HBO series OZ.

We've come a long way, baby.

Brutal exposé of prison life

[bikerpaul68 · 9/10 · 23 August 2020]

I saw this film shortly after its release, when I was around 18 years old, and many of the scenes went right over my head. Watching it again now, I am amazed at how many scenes have stuck in my mind (especially the harrowing ending). Although (not surprisingly) dated, and clearly made on a very low budget, this film has a remarkable way of pacing the action and building tension: for instance, the almost-hallucinatory prison Xmas party seems to be going on forever until it suddenly erupts in violence.

In 1971, people were excited (or outraged) about the homosexual scenes, but I think it would be wrong to think that the film is "about" homosexuality. For me, it is about power structures in what Goffmann has called a "total institution". Sexuality, or rather rape, is just another tool to maintain power, along with violence and trade in tobacco and drugs.

It's a raw, brutal and uncomfortable film, and well worth watching.

Appallingly crude and tasteless

[MOscarbradley · 3/10 · 25 April 2016]

Although a lot of prison films allude to homosexuality very few actually take it as the main theme. Jean Genet's "Un Chant D'Amour" isn't just the best of them but arguably the most poetic gay movie ever made. You certainly couldn't say the same for Harvey Hart's film of John Herbert's play. I've never seen it on stage but if it was anything like this I'm glad I didn't . This is an appallingly caricatured account of men 'forced' together by circumstance with the emphasis very clearly on sex. If it were better acted it might have been tolerable but the largely unknown cast can do nothing with the mediocre material. In 1971 this might have seemed 'daring'; now it just seems crude and tasteless.

Dated but pungent and engrossing prison drama

[Poseidon-3 · 3 May 2007]

The inner workings of a prison's sociological system are examined in this gritty, sometimes sensationalistic, yet sometimes insightful, film, based on a play by an author who drew from his own experiences as a brief convict. Burton plays a young man who is busted for possession of pot and sent to prison for a six month sentence. His cell-mates include brooding, domineering Hall, sensitive, henpecked Freedman and outrageous, bitchy Greer, an influential trustee who spends most of his time in partial drag. Burton is horrified at what he sees upon entry as fellow prisoners are dominated into submission, those without protection being gang-raped on a whim or otherwise attacked. Hall convinces Burton to pair up with him, but it isn't long before he regrets it as Hall takes pleasure in humiliating him and in steering him back to the shower room for sexual gratification. Meanwhile, Greer is gearing up for the Christmas variety show and coercing various people into securing items for his piecemeal evening gown and accoutrements. Daily life in this bleak, oppressive hell hole is depicted with occasional bursts of violence or other mayhem. Things come to a head around the time of the variety show when Greer goes over the edge in front of the warden's wife and other special guests and Burton decides to stand up to Hall. The ending of the film is less than uplifting as it shows the endless cycle of events that take place in a stagnant, uninspiring place such as a penitentiary. Baby-faced Burton does a nice job. He took the role to avoid being typecast as boys next door, but it may have stymied his career somewhat as this was a pretty shocking and stigmatic subject for films at the time. Greer is agonizingly annoying, but accurate and assured in his portrayal. It is a full-on, no-holds-barred performance and he puts it all out there - literally! Hall isn't as effective as one might hope for. He's appropriately sneaky and selfish, but his look is all wrong. With big contoured eyebrows and a shock of brown hair standing up, he often resembles a grown-up Eddie Munster! Incidentally, this play is one that Sal Mineo successfully mounted, so to speak, in Los Angeles as both director and star (with newcomer Don Johnson in the Burton role. Johnson bunked with Mineo in real life during this period as well.) It's implied sexual content and nudity caused quite a stir at the time. This film version has a little bit of nudity and the sex is mostly obscured from view, but the desperation, cruelty and sense of dread still comes across vividly. Clichés abound and it's a far from perfect film, but it does retain some impact.

Confusing

[SwollenThumb · 2/10 · 25 April 2018]

Confusing. Has no "point of view." Pretends to portray realism of prison life but it is unconvincing. Unfortunately at the time it was released gays were seen by society as predators and this film would have only enhanced that misconception, even though the main characters Smitty and Rocky aren't gay. Queenie and Mona are gay, but one is a drag artist (though a strong character) and the other a weak victim. The gaolers are all violent and sick. It's all very bleak with one of the most depressing endings of any film! No one is redeemed or any hope offered. For anyone struggling with their sexuality, this would have sent them straight back into the closet! Thankfully depiction of gays on screen has improved since. Special mention for the awful camerawork. It's important to remember this is NOT a film about gays but rather how men cope in prison. Even the great Roger Ebert got it wrong when he believed everyone except Smitty is supposed to be gay. Conundrums: How does Queenie come out of his solitary confinement so unscathed? And since when were prisoners allowed such easy access to razor blades? Wikipedia notes the play on which the film was based was developed by Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight and is Canada's most produced play! The play was based on the playwright's experiences in a boy's reformatory where he served time as a 20 year old after being convicted for wearing women's clothing in public. Knowing this makes the film less confusing but really doesn't explain its failure.

GREAT MOVIE!

[youngjacob2002 · 20 May 2002]

I own Fortune And Men's Eyes and I must say it is a terrific movie.After renting it several times I decided to buy it,and I'm very happy that I did.Smitty(Wendell Burton)is sentenced to six months in prison for smoking pot.While he is in prison he learns what it takes to stay alive.Michael Greer plays Queenie,a drag queen that shares the same cell with Smitty,along with two other homosexuals,Rocky and Mona.I have seen Michael Greer in two other movies,The Gay Decievers(which I also own)and The Rose.It was great to see him without a wig for a change!I think Michael is a great actor.Doing the math from the year he was born,1943,he must be in his fifties now.Rocky is actually the bad guy in the film.He tries to force Smitty into being his lover,and eventually Smitty has to fight back to protect himself.The movie based on homosexuality in prison.Made in 1971,four years before I was born,it is a great classic,maybe not so well known but for sure a great movie.If you have'nt seen it do see it,take my word for it,you will not be disappointed!

Keep to the straight and narrow...

[TM-2 · 7 January 2003]

I saw this in the Cosmo (pre GFT) in Glasgow one afternoon. The original and still the best movie on prison sex. Kept me to the straight and narrow! Powerful, unpleasant, occasionally verging on crudeness. Definitely best viewed after some libation. Not a date movie. Recommended - once.

'Fortune and Men's Eyes' review

[lynnetom20042003 · 27 August 2007]

'Fortune and Men's Eyes' is a film which I recommend as interesting viewing for anyone who wishes to watch an early story of important gay cinema.

It's author, the late playwright Jonhn Herbert, is an icon of gay writing.

This is a story based on John Herbert's own unfortunate true experience as an inmate as a teenager in a penal institution in Canada, wrongly imprisoned after being the victim of gay bashing. It is a play that later became a film.

I recommend that you watch this film despite the fact that it is old, to say the least.