Analysis of “The Times of Harvey Milk”

¶ … Harvey Milk 1974 by Rob Epstein

One among the foremost feature documentaries that revolve around American gay life, Rob Epstein's The Times of Harvey Milk, is a creation of advocacy, taking Harvey's message of equality and hope to a larger audience. The documentary was envisioned to be an emotional narrative, which straight as well as homosexual viewers could access. The production technique of the film was extremely collaborative; moviemakers, advocates, and journalists hailing from diverse communities contributed their voice and stories, in addition to archival footage, feedback, and financial backing (Esther, 2009).

While The Times of Harvey Milk wasn't a hit at the box office, its theatrical release propelled the movie, with critical validation and awards, on a non-theatrical run that lasted long. Despite being one among the most renowned of documentaries to be released in recent decades, The Times Of Harvey Milk was received more often as a political event rather than a cinematic one; its reception is the same to this day (Esther, 2009).

The filmmaker, Epstein, while explaining his position within the movie, stated in a 2009 interview that his approach to the issue had no political agenda linked to it. The documentary begins with addressing the topic, its humanity, and having faith in the rest (Esther, 2009).

Epstein's core team, which included Bex, Hoffman, Schmiechen, and Reid, planned this project to be a documentary of one-hour duration, with four acts corresponding roughly to its introduction, development and close: a highly distilled account of Harvey Milk's roots and identity; the campaign labeled 'No on 6'; the assassination; and Dan White's trial and ensuing "White" Night riots in response to the verdict (New Yorker DVD Audio commentary, 2004).

Epstein states that the entire documentary is devised to touch viewers emotionally. The team really strived hard towards recreating genuine emotions felt by people during the time, to ensure that viewers of the movie would get the same experience. While the documentary is relatively modern when taken from a stylistic viewpoint -- biographical photographs, talking heads, abundant archival footage, and narration (Harvey Fierstein) -- its structure is rather unexpected (wordscreenpark, 2010).

Hardly any screen time is devoted to Harvey's childhood and adolescence in this 88-minute documentary. After a mere seventeen minutes into the movie, he is already elected, with his assassination shown at the 53-minute mark. The net outcome is two-fold: directors can adopt a conventional three-act film structure, and the majority of the documentary's running time can be concentrated on Milk's 11-month-long career as city supervisor of San Francisco (wordscreenpark, 2010).

It is commented by someone in the documentary that Milk represented "something more than just him;" this sincere and strongly constructed documentary ensures this point is very clear. The assassinated Milk's personality is expressed strongly throughout the movie; however, the prime concern of the documentary isn't his personality. Robert Epstein, co-director of the equally touching "Word is Out," reflects how Milk symbolized one societal segment and his slayer, Dan White, symbolized another. (Dan White was a disgruntled ex-Supervisor, who shot Harvey Milk and Mayor of San Francisco, George Moscone, in 1978). Epstein follows the conflict that transpired between them -- a conflict so intrinsically dramatic that 'The Times of Harvey Milk' can hinge on a plain, basic style without missing emotion or momentum (New York Times, 1984).

The tale was presented in such a way as to construct the documentary out juxtaposing. Epstein states that three key elements were incorporated: News footage -- employed purely as such, with TV logos, names of reporters, etc.; Archival footage -- more documentary, with an outlook on the presented events; and Original interviews, conducted in the subsequent four years.

American actor, Harvey Fierstein, known for his distinctive raspy voice, narrated the documentary 'The Times of Harvey Milk'; the film documents the development of the gay community in San Francisco (located centrally in the well- known Castro District), as well as the manner in which this cultural development trickled outward, impacting the bordering Bay Area. While a large number of subjects in the documentary are gay, the filmmaker makes sure to also include interviews of straight individuals who found themselves affected by Harvey Milk's political muster and genial personality (Heath, 2011).

If the film plays a two-fold role (as a personal memory depository as well as political timeline), then the impassive, yet adoring pitch used by the narrator accurately dissects the director's abundant archival footage, producing a feel of lightheartedness in the watershed moments as well as small characterizations of Milk's adulthood. Lines such as, "What was not on the resume was his homosexuality," are rendered in such a casually beautiful manner that it shows even the prose of the documentary endeavors to wear down the biased notions that cripple the homosexual perspective. The voiceover narration and talking-head dialogs home in on a crucial crossing between religious fundamentalism and freedom of expression. Still, personal emotions end up dominating the account (Heath, 2011).

Prior to video's pervasiveness, documentaries were typically shot in 16mm, with the stock distinguishing itself instantly as a crisp, textured appearance at a given period of time. 'The Times of Harvey Milk' benefits from the grainy look, signifying a unique LGBT cultural awakening, as well as a time capsule for Harvey Milk's life story.

The documentary's 1.33:1 image can be considered as astonishingly sharp for one that was shot 25 years ago in 16mm. While a certain degree of grain does exist, the interviews appear to be cleanly rendered and well saturated. Some archival footage used in the film is in a rather bad shape (such as the 'doggy-doo ordinance' news report); however, in such instances, historical significance caps pristine quality.