The Circle

Although homosexual activity was not illegal in post-war Zurich, gay men still suffered from the social stigma, police persecution and the poisonous press of the time, as this superb Swiss (German-language) drama clearly illustrates.Seamlessly combining part re-enactment and part documentary, this film is both a touching love story and important chronicle of gay history.A love story between performer/hairdresser Robi Rapp and school teacher Ernst Ostertag - who both appear regularly throughout the film - and their involvement with "Der Kreis", a ground breaking gay organization, which for 34 years between 1932 and 1967, arranged social gatherings and produced an influential magazine for its members.A richly entertaining and thoughtful film capturing the good and sadly, far too many bad times (police raids, hate crimes, fear of careers being ruined), aided enormously by eye-witness accounts by many of the actual participants, all done in succinct and vital interviews.Both Sven Schelker as the colourful, poignant Robi, and Matthias Hungerbuhler as the more earnest Ernst are nothing short of perfection in their portrayals. In fact, the whole cast is splendid, highlighted by Marianne Sagebrecht as Robi's supportive mother.Full marks to director Stephan Haupt and his talented crew for adapting this piece of gay history so brilliantly to the screen.P.S. Many fabulous scenes in this film. One standout to me was the frosty reception the dapper Robi (and his flowers) get when Ernst introduces him to his stern parents.

This was a wonderful true story of love and loyalty set in Zurich, Switzerland during the 1950s. It tells the story of Ernst and Robi, and how their love for one another blossomed during a tumultuous time in Switzerland, all while police were cracking down on gay establishments and gay men were being murdered by crazy hustlers. Through it all, Ernst and Robi's love remained strong.My only complaint is that the director kept interrupting the film to cut to snippets of an interview with the real-life Ernst and Robi in their 80s. It would have been just fine to see them once at the beginning of the film, and later at the end. But every time the plot took a turn, they would have the real-life Ernst and Robi commenting on it. This was a real shame because the chemistry between the actors who played Ernst and Robi was off the charts. I don't know if they are gay in real life, but this was some of the best acting I've ever seen.The attention to detail was up there with any of the best BBC productions. The cinematography was top-notch. Sometimes gay-themed films suffer from lack of restraint, but that wasn't the case here, and as a result, the emotion leaped off the screen. When the actors playing Ernst and Robi hugged and kissed I could feel their passion. Honestly, it's hard for me to believe some of that was acting. Absolutely unbelievable.

This is an incredible story and it's true! I'm certain this documentary will be mentioned as one of the best LGBT films this decade! Very glad this film got put together.I won't go into a deep description about this documentary. I will just tell you that it needs to be watched by everyone. I felt very good viewing this. Brings a strong feeling of PRIDE :)A good trailer for this is available as option with the film "BOYS", also from Wolfe pictures.

The film was well put together and had a high production quality. Yet, the Overall editing of the footage, especially the documentary segments, should have been better.

The Circle is the name of one of the first gay publications. The film is a Docudrama that chronicles the lives of those who published The Circle in the 1940's and 1950's in Zurich. For me the best part of this story was seeing the real people describing the story as actors dramatized the events. It is an engaging and thoughtful movie that is worth your time.

Based on the real life situation in Switzerland in the middle of the 20th century. The Circle is a group of men who preferred men, holding an annual ball and publishing a regular newsletter / magazine which was distributed by post to the membership list. It was also taken across the border into Germany. The couple, still living, offered their insights to then and now and makes the story more real. Well worth buying and watching. WIll watch many times.

A very unique way of telling the stories and history of LGBT people in Switzerland. The filmmaker managed to find the perfect actors for the re-telling of the real life experiences, assembled in this well told drama-doc, unlike the often 'trashy' TV-Drama-Docs of the past. It is great to also have the original 'characters' tell their stories themselves as well. This drama-doc is both educational and also very entertaining.

Such a lovely story and it all got scattered and half-lost due to the constant interruptions the filmmakers injected as interviews of the lives of the two men this otherwise lovely film was actually based on... Half film, half documentary, the experience is a lost cause to both worlds. How can one remain focused, enthralled, vested in a story and plot if the filmmakers constantly interrupt that experience with narrations and interviews taking place years later - decades after the story of the film? Although I did like the basic story, this is definitely not my cup of tea ... It should have either been a feature film or a documentary but NOT both! If one feels these interruptions would not bother them, this is indeed a gem of a film - but not for me....

Great story.

A beautiful story/documentary about lgbt-life in the early 50 and 60's. The acting performance were good, the stage also match the 50-60's. I can recommend this one.

I loved the interweaving of drama and interviews with the real-life characters, giving me an impression of the lives of gay men in Zurich in the 1950s.

This was purchased in error for the film of the same name, starring Tom Hanks. Fortunately, I speak some German, so it may be interesting, if not what I was expecting. My mistake, so I'll be more careful, next time!

Excellent DVD. Worth adding to one's library of DVDs.