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  • 2019
  • 1 h 17 m
  • 2019
  • 1 h 17 m

Summary With the United States gripped in the panic of the Cold War, President Dwight D. Eisenhower deems homosexuals to be "security risks" and orders the immediate firing of any government employee discovered to be gay or lesbian. It triggers a vicious witch hunt that lasts for forty years and ruins thousands of lives, while thrusting an unlik...

Directed By: Josh Howard

Written By: David K. Johnson

  • 2019
  • 1 h 17 m
  • 2019
  • 1 h 17 m

The Lavender Scare

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 7 Critic Reviews
73
User Score Available after 4 ratings
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Summary With the United States gripped in the panic of the Cold War, President Dwight D. Eisenhower deems homosexuals to be "security risks" and orders the immediate firing of any government employee discovered to be gay or lesbian. It triggers a vicious witch hunt that lasts for forty years and ruins thousands of lives, while thrusting an unlik...

Directed By: Josh Howard

Written By: David K. Johnson

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 7 Critic Reviews
73
86% Positive
6 Reviews
14% Mixed
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 7 Critic Reviews
73
86% Positive
6 Reviews
14% Mixed
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
85
Jun 13, 2019
The Lavender Scare is essential to watch and an excellently produced documentary about a time the communist threat overshadowed the so-called “gay threat” from our history books.
By Alan Ng FULL REVIEW
80
Jun 8, 2019
Essential and absorbing documentary.
By Owen Gleiberman FULL REVIEW
80
Jun 6, 2019
A vivid, disturbing and rousing picture of specious government intrusion at its worst.
By Gary Goldstein FULL REVIEW
75
Jun 19, 2019
This is yet another instance where the film’s short runtime seems to have shortchanged the depth of reporting.
By Hanh Nguyen FULL REVIEW
75
Jun 3, 2019
Straight America can finally get to know the name of Dr. Frank Kameny, a very smart man with a very big grievance against the government, one he was willing to endure mockery and the loss of his original career to settle.
By Roger Moore FULL REVIEW
70
Jun 6, 2019
Running a brisk 75 minutes, this is one of those rare documentaries that feels too short. Some of its stories could have been more fleshed out, greater historical context could have been provided, and its use of such musical selections as Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are a-Changin'" and Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors" are beyond cliche. But these are small quibbles about a film that should be essential viewing in these times when intolerance is on the rise.
By Frank Scheck FULL REVIEW
50
Jun 4, 2019
A compact and fairly well-made documentary.
By Dan Callahan FULL REVIEW

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Details

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Production Company Full Exposure Films
Release Date Jun 7, 2019
Duration 1 h 17 m
Genres
Website http://www.thelavenderscare.com/
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Awards

FilmOut San Diego, US
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Fort Worth Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination

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