Vito

Vito - one need say no more
VITO (HBO films, 105 minutes) is a stunning documentary about a great man in the gay rights movement - a man with whom I was completely unfamiliar. Vito Russo, a name I had certainly seen in my time, author of The Celluloid Closet and an important handful of other books, was a major pioneer in our equal rights struggle of the latter 20th century.

This excellent documentary helped me to understand Vito as a scholar, perhaps the only scholar, who decided to tackle America's history of homophobia - which is the backbone of CELLULOID CLOSET and Vito's other books (such as his photography in COMMON THREADS: STORIES FROM THE QUILT, 1989). Like me, he was a scholar, a very involved film lover, critic and most importantly, film fan. His explosive appearance on "20/20" in May, 1982, changed America.

At the Gay Alliance's famous Firehouse in New York, Vito instigated film night - whereby the entire...

Excellent documentary about a legendary activist!
Excellent, educational and historical documentary. I had read his book (in another lifetime) and saw the film that was based on the book (also a long time ago).

I had not realized, until after watching "Vito," the very important role Vito Russo played in the gay liberation and AIDS movements.

There are a lot of great historical clips shown in this documentary as well as interviews with activists, writers, etc., whose lives Vito Russo touched.

Everyone Should Have This in their DVD Library
I first saw this on cable, then later bought the DVD. It is not only about extraordinary activist and film archivist Vito Russo, but about gay history. The archival film footage is amazing. I was stunned to see that there were problems amongst the gay community as early as 1973 (drag queens, lesbians, gay men at odds with each other). I didn't know that. I thought that all began in my generation (late 80's early 90's). Clips of Bette Midler can be seen that I have also never seen before.

The vintage cinematic clips (1890's till about 1970) are something to be cherished. A few seen herein are not seen in The Celluloid Closet DVD. We are so lucky Russo sought these things out and preserved them.

He seemed like a very exceptional person. As of 2013 we have NO ONE like him. Gay people have become extremely passive and complacent and we are losing gay neighborhoods yearly. Ken and Barbie types, as well as hipsters, are gentrifying us back into obscurity. So while this...

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