The Boys in the Band
1970 · Movie · R · 120 min · ★ 7.0 · 77% critics
A group of friends gathers in a Manhattan apartment to celebrate a birthday, but the night quickly turns sharp as drinks flow and old tensions surface. When an unexpected guest arrives, a cruel party game pushes everyone to confront buried feelings, insecurities, and the fragile bonds holding the group together.
Based on The Boys in the Band
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Details
- Years
- 1970
- Release date
- 1970-03-16
- Language
- English
- Rated
- R
- Runtime
- 120 min
- Critic score
- 77/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.0/10 (112 votes)
About
If you like talky, one-night dramas where humor turns cutting and relationships get uncomfortably honest, this may hit hard; Not for you if you want uplifting vibes or gentle conflict, like in Shelter.
Pros: razor-sharp dialogue; intense ensemble drama; still feels relevant | Cons: harsh insults throughout; dated stereotypes; emotionally draining tone
Themes
- new york city
- birthday party
- based on play or musical
- male homosexuality
- lgbt
- self-loathing
- gay theme
Cast & crew
- KN
Kenneth Nelson
as Michael
Leonard Frey
as Harold
Peter White
as Alan McCarthy
Cliff Gorman
as Emory
- FC
Frederick Combs
as Donald
- RG
Reuben Greene
as Bernard
Laurence Luckinbill
as Hank
- KP
Keith Prentice
as Larry
- RT
Robert La Tourneaux
as Cowboy Tex
Maud Adams
as Photo Model (uncredited)
Directed by William Friedkin