The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover

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The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover

PG

1978

1h 52m

Drama

LGBTQ+

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5 Reviews

48%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

From the beginning of Prohibition and the outbreak of World War I through the depths of the Cold War, Vietnam and the Watergate scandal, J. Edgar Hoover (Broderick Crawford) serves his country as a quiet observer, a feared enforcer and the original leader of the FBI. When Hoover dies in 1972, a scandal erupts after his private files become public record and America gets a shocking glimpse into the mysterious figure who led the bureau in the most tumultuous decades of the 20th century.

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Brian Orndorf

Blu-ray.com

Nov 2, 2025

B-

"Private Files" is messy and not terribly engrossing at times, but Cohen has his moviemaking passions to help support the viewing experience, which is just enough to keep this vision of corruption and obsession on its feet.

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

Mar 4, 2023

3/5

…this isn’t history, but it does offer some insights into the reign of Hoover and raises a few questions about how the FBI can and still might be bent to service political motives…

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Nov 5, 2020

1.5/4

...a mostly uninvolving and unconvincing drama...

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Dec 6, 2005

B

Part sleazy sexual exploitation and part stilted realpolitik historical tableau.

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Oct 6, 2005

3/5

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Vincent S

@Vin_E_At_The_Movies Mar 29, 2026

This isn't great art, but I was very happy being surprised that Director Larry Cohen made a "B" movie epic. Broderick Crawford and Micheal Parks give great performances, and I love the high reach from Cohen to make a respectable biopic. There are a lot of misses but also some great, entertaining hits.

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Nov 17, 2022

Much better than Clint Eastwood's film . Larry Cohen is the master of subversive fun Crawford is suitably nasty firing people left right and centre and corrupting high office

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Nov 1, 2010

Compelling docu-drama of a police administrator that never arrested anyone to become head of the FBI for 48 years. You get to see J. Edgar rise from the gang violent times of the 1920's through the Nixon era. The man who's agency secretly heard 58 million American phone conversations. SEE the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNcE3tBO-KE For the most part, a positive portrayal of Hoover and not so for his enemies or political superiors. 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F/LSozaGKY4aJ1NrqYJNAbhe8vEcbc6Y2EuaHExcygkH8SNegtO8uLhkgkSRA6ZWzX4AAE5h4g2N/Cp7Zsp+6Rf9Bb//AJ1Qt5cRbAyv+qKw/wAwA+tFbp/aRBJkglBiIVUVmIyNYWtflfx60E3urhQ+DynneqrCpimkTmpv7jV33PS0TC1rM2nrVa3wh7PGRkcHBBoNCwgzKCOdOSR5RfnQex5e4vkPlRU+MGYLfx9KBraGGDRhTz59DTOBkLJrYshyn0oraWORFuzL76g93Nqr2ssRYNdi6kcMrHhfqPrQSkmHtfNbW2gqPxaixOl+YqXxhFqipCCG8qCuuDlZhxPDlzrPt88N2UWXkzooF/0qSxHm1q0HaEZMLheIFx5ggj5VXN8NlCeCO5yvmLA2vlXQWt7z6UGYivVWjMXs1oWKuQbgEEcCDex+FCslqCX3cxzRscptqDWwbZx4fBXbjl+NYbhZcpq1YTbbtEVNyAKAftz40qA/4gaVAduST2jgdFNz5/1+FalhYD2Ia3I8tNKzXcUgZ7nW4937vWulx93OUi3Zk/CggRs4ywYaFSAW7R9eGlzr768wG70kU8JkAF2Nhe98ovfyp47PaYYdEYKRCzC/DiNDUm8ciyQ9rYuFlYkWIvlUaWGmlBUWjM872NiS7ajpc/S1R1761Zd08UgL5lUZQW7TnYnUGo7eOUmc2AVVsFy8LW4+N6ACEd5R4igduy3bTSx4elSEAsym3Oorbl83mT8hQWzciVi0KkkrqLX04Nyqa29KUxKKpspC3A4G7G/wqB3GPfg82+TVN7zH+1R+Sf6jQP71ymHJ2fdvmv6WrMdnnVrm3P4/zrTN+RpH5t9KzLZp7xHh9RQe4gd9vOm2p3Ejvn0+VTW6Wy453YuDeMq1x7LDXQjzF/fQeYTv4Odf0Mkg/wBJ+Brjdc2xSqeDB0Pqp4+tqJ2bhyhxMZKt+BJqpuLgg6GprG4nTDkOhKyRu9gAWZ2AsLclDW8b0HuyMCkuB7J1BzB429CR6W0PpWMSQZJGQm+Vyt+uViL+tq1s4fNh8bErZZO0mCG+UglQV1HDX51kEZOYX45tet76/Gg+l8DhxGzAczWW/afvWn3hUhIZ4iczcVU24eJ+VWL7R98/ucRjiI7eW4HVFtq/nyH9KxbDIWbrzNBv+4u0zPgopHtnIYNbqrEfICpbAvmlkY8BZPr9RVC+yXadhJAx551+AYD1sfWr7h8MDI6km2jEA8SdP/WgC21u7BMbup4cmIHu4UFhI8NhrBCqk6XJu3lerBJsqEnUH/uYaehpqLZ0EJukag9ba+860A8pZxobjqKEkbKh61MStp0zDWoWVbLJ4EfEf0oAlPHxFBYzC5qdwLdoTbgNL8r9Kb29jVghd2NuS/4mPACgy7eKa8zC+inIP8tx871HxxXFdYsEtrzomBOFBHsgB8qfixjKCBreuMWtnPjrTVB7nalXlKgnN0sIHdiwuAALHhc1rWAiRMKRp7BsLcNKyTdJ2zsACQbagcD/ALVquz7tBY6GxBB8qB/Dg5sOFXNeBhlBAJ8r6XovJIJI+0XKxWW/DUkLyGg0tQGFkNsIwzG6yIcvtWsRceI4+lHvB2T4fvO4LsC73BJZeAB5WFBRe1IuAePEddacNyKWMhtIw6Fh7ia5QmgciGo8xQm8OCygMORNGMeFHTRiRNea/Kgb3De7wn/E3yap/ek/2mPyX/UaqextrLhZELK2VWJuBfQ3/nUntjeiKaVXTNZFF7ixPe5fCgn9+vZj82+VZps7R9NND8/61bd6d8Yp0QRh7qSdRYcKrOBw3dJP5tB8fragGxd85Pl8hTuytqyQtdWIFwxHJrdeotehcRIbm/M02poLJu3q8njDL8qlNoPJ2KlinY3g7ADLcNmTNoNQbZ73qI3ZewnY/lw8nxyipTaWNkJELRKO9ABIEKnRkNiT7Q0teg8nDB8aVGYiRiq3tmPZqbX5XOlZHJGyOVcEMp1B43vfWtkKkyYluXbH4ItY/tDFmWWSQ8XYn05fC1Atr7VfEzPNIbs7X8hyUeAGgo3ZuGyqGPP9iodRr61LrOToOA60BuyNryYbEJMBbKdV6qfaHHiR8a2nYG34JhmjkDF9fEWHA9La6VhUsnLiTpWpfY7scZ5pWHsosY/zat/pX30GixAUNipBzqDG1CWIgljlCsQRmAOhtodelDY3FzE5RGfMkW+FARjNuZS3O1gPdTUkDOhUmzSHM5HIW0Uen1rnA7tvLbNc63NuGnKrfh9kKo1Fz8KCuxbPyKFVfIVkm/m3PvGJMan8OElRbgz/AJm9PZHr1rVftN3lGCwhWMgTzXROqrpnf0BsPEisEhHSgIcZgDzFPx8rUOslj9K6M6g318rGg4x63F+h+FCAUTJiwwIAOvHlTcCEDxoOOzpU9alQSG6u1Ozcrpqc2vUVqmy8T2iZr3JOvnWPbuw58RGPG/uB+tq2jdaIBToOVA1g5ckUZOnY4ix8Ax/rRWPx5dCbsxheM5tSpAOrXNrHvcPCmpICZcTH+tBIv8Sjl6iicXtxDhx2jENJGxCKNDcZQGPXMCaCGxmDIx+lh3g9zoMptfj60ZvNs1VRDHkCqSStwCb21A51H7ZXtIYJuPdMbea8PrUdNiy5BbUqqr6KKCSx2zUEEUqEnNcNfk38tDRGwdlvIDfSP9XPxC9aL3dxSyxGGQZspDAXsLE/Q/OpXF49YVzOQqjQADn0UeWlBG7X3bgMEgWM5lRiGLd64+FZebqxFaQN5FnilUZY8wKAkk6leJPuqpvuZib3shvzDr9aAjdXZscqzPIucIBYXIFzf+lO43Z69kzYbMwBuyH20HAkfqXjr/Ki9kr90hlzmNntmCA5uA4Ny4V5hscmI70LdlMAfwybA3tqh06cDQQGxNnLPKQ5IjRSzkcQB8talt3dgpLEXdLhWJj1ALCx0bwuB8aMxmNEUUz5FSR1Cki6lmPDMhGhF2OnSqphcWyo6qT+IuU+8H6EetBL7FhYYfEkizsUhsdLMzajXhyqfxUc3aRJLIpzzowiDZzHlDsdeQuLAa8KhvuYGFjRiwuHxLkC7WAypoeNyVovL2c+djd4MO7Ow9li18hHj3mv1N6Ca2EQ0TtyeWRj5FrfIVh+18N2WIljItkkcemY2+Fq1/ZeIaOJAD+UaePH61lO9e0FmxcsiDQkDTmVUAnyuKCPhjub8r6UehsKbWK1h0A9/OlM+lA/gFzyX6cK2JZPuOxHe5DyqTccQZLKtvePfWX7q7MMsscai7O4HkL6n0Fz6VaPtd2/+PHhI/YgRS4B/OR3VI/wpY/5/CgqDu0KxuFdQ47jWKggG2hqybmw4/GzxlHkaON1Zi7HswAQbN+q45eNV/C42SZIoZCSiNZF5LmOvrrxr6J3U2ekOEhSNQqhBw5nmT1JOt6CVRQBYC3lTc0gAuTYDieldk1n32tb0dhB92Q/iTghtdVi1BOnNj3eXPpQZZv/ALyHGYt5Lnsx3IxyCLz42uxub9COlQEPCvMVxrpKBwNXUyaDrXiCu2NAEosdetPBtK4U5jfkOHietdBb0HOalRHYeVKgL3LiHbsxI7q6X8T/AErXdmYoJHYWJ49dPOsGjkKkEaEVdt1t6ctg3A+0vQ9RQX/FYorNFKeAOVvJqf2fhl7V4JI0ZIy0mdvyo1j7uPvrhMMJ4TkNwRofHl8aYeXNHHM1xYGCe3HKedAzhXEwmiVcqOSYugZeQ8xaq80eUm+ltCOlWHa+0OxKxRR5UjYMrm+Z25kHoRpQG9KgoMTH7L6OP0v4/v50AcM7RIZla2Qhb/xX/frULtTbUk7XZif3yqy4XboOEs/ZmVldlUqLNlvYnlewqlk6k9fSgltiY2NbrLmsbEMvFTrrY8dPWrNHjcLxM6kZctiOWW1v9B81qhE10puKCybZ2xDkZIizs9gWtlQAC2g4k2v79b1W1NqSLXV6A92llhDszuqPltq1u7e/0pbHwRmlVB+Y6+A4k+6piDbyjCdmzkSMjgMBwA0W9uZ1F692RgzDBmA/GxHciB0yp+ZiTwFufgKCSglSSWRu6M34MIcHspEUWZCw0GYkEeQqPMOdHFlU4iVIVC3yiKI65fDQ1ztFImQRC6ywqgiynSTMQPeHLHMOIqS2bhQ0+QcMKgQHrI+rfvxoITf/ABzYWIKnGYMgbmotrw52NhWZwRXdR1IHxq1faHtyLESRiMsTGZFcEWAIawt1OhPkRVb2d/ep/F9DQGTt3m86Hy5mAp2Q3J8zSww7xPSgt25e0RhWmxZAIghYgfqdiAi35XbKKqrY55ZHmkN3kYsx8SfgOQ8AKkcbiez2dkuA2InDW55IwfhmA99QcR00oLHuzF2mJjHIG59LmvozZkeWGMW4IvyFYD9n+HLYlV6g/EqPrX0LwHlQC7SxywxvJIcqICxPgK+ct49tNisQ8z8XOg/So9lfQfG9Xr7W96s7/dEPdQhpfF9Cq/5eJ8bdKzK+tAzMuteotJ+NOLwoPQKHxDFmyDj+Y9BT0j2AA9o8P5mlFFlQniTz60HmGhsptXoTKCTT8C2WhNoSaACgH++GlTv3DwpUAZqS3ekAxEd+BJHwP1tUfIliR0pJQbxuzjUWMqWAAOhJsNf605iFCSkMLRYgWPg/XwvWX7s4mEplkPeDX1ubjiD6GtPxMgxEQCm4sLEfq60EQmypZZ+xd/7scWNgEHNeumtHbTCxvmUB4ZE/EQEHud0CW3jcXrmSRpY7qbYmD/zUfP8AfWouPa0s8LsgAmeRY3Ki2SILppyW970EDt3YRhIZTnibVHGot0J61EDxq8K3ZxllXtMKxYGM+0uXRnTqt/dUViN2BIvaYVu0T9H5l8NeNARs/d5WwodxnZM7KEYHMCBZWt4jhVViXlR/3yWKMw95DnzHip4WtQVjx+NBaNi7OQ4cyOFRgXVJDp3SNSRztc2NVx4rMVBDW5r7J8jXWEEjnKgZiQVsLnQ/Kp/C7vJCBJi2CjiIxqzHpp9PhQDbD2OHvLL3YU1YnTMf0jrU6C5IxBVbs3ZojEZYlNlyst9WYNmy9BQU+LWUKJXECMl8OoF1BBsHktpy4e+mVxUpxE8EZBaVgS3EKRxcdDYkXoCVxwZmxUjGQYdSqsQFzysSQoA5Lmt6Uym1fuUBlfVmuxHNnOtvMaU8mDEtkjF4MNz/APll5nxtf41VN+trRsoiFmkDBif/AIx082006UFNLE6k3JuSep50/s4/ip5n5GmCKI2bHeVfC5+BoCJl1Pma6g0U+Ve4pLMa6iNlLEaAi/lcXoDdspZXW3dgjii1GmdiGNj+oaG3gaiE0FOS7XkdZEv3JZBIwtc5he2vQA/Cm4kufCg0X7J8LmxLNyUIPeSfpWo757yjB4cvoZG7sa9WtxPgBqf61QfskTVz1k+Cxg/Nqht89utjJy35FuqC/Bb8fM8fd0oKlipCzMxNyxJJPEk6k++mLaUfJhqYmw5y3oAQLmnS4H0HU1yxy/QUo47d5uPTpQIi1yfaPP6eVOSLoo9aZVSzWohDdi3IUHuIewtUYzXdR4iiMVNe5obC2zi/LWglLt1r2hfv/hSoASb8a8WkBStQFYNQXUFgouLk8hWn7tY6EAhJUudMucfK/GspovZLL2yZ1BUmxvyvwPvtQa7tHDSE9rDo6f8AkOlQuNwYxQM0IyygfixcCTzIqY3cxXcZCScp0v0qN2xhz2vaQtkkXiRwbzoDNn7YE6CKJVjdckYU2zKhuJSpOp4A0NtmzYkLh+45bWRQUAUXDZuRsRcnxoUTwYo2k/s+IH5horGnMR99hUhruulpV1cKDewbjY9CCKB+TaM4MquIZRC4Ri9kbU2U9NabO1FEjRfc4u0W5bvLZQBcknLYAUHj9twzdsGzRdo0TG65rlL5hp1FreNR2y9qL207P3VnSVL2vkLkEE21IFrG1BZpJ8SIy14MOt7d0FjcqWHAWAK65ulROxsYzRzSgZsRHklDnvMUDDOoB4ac/GicRt5Ww5gjMjNkjjUqujZEysTfWzXI4chQ+y93ZlVmd+wjIsxJsxXp5Hx+NA/vHi/vDiFIkMiuSGjOhVh+cW7rCy38q8EYhBw0BvI399KOCj9K/L96d4chrwYIZVOkk7cT5fv3caIx+GiwiAhgo/MzGxYjmevlQTGCCpCFQWCra3kLm/nWFNJmJY8WJPvN6ve1N9IhBLHGxZpEKgrwW4IJJNuWmmuvhVBFB1R2x177HwPzoCpXZHtHxFB3j071+tcOPwG86Kx6d3lpQpW8BoAIoqIwwuaagbSnsIO9QXzdbbH3fBYhwbMQ6J1zSMq39ApPpVfEgAt4VF4aRtRfQE2HLjr9afWTrQF569eUAa89AOvlQzyWF68W47ze1yH6R/OgaOFN82hPLoPKmpL31tThlPpQs0pJ5aUDkcoBvytXE+JULYEHrQcjWpg0DskgIr3CrdrdaaFc5jfSgmvui9PjXlcdg36j76VAA3GlINa550jxoO1FdBa8WugaC5bO32SPVle5Fja3G3n1p3Cb2QFu8WXzU/SqSTSFBsMOyoMTCpNnB1DA2I8iPlUe+y8RhwDBMSp4I39dPlVP2fvfJChRFWxXLrew8bXp7Y++TxRiNg8pBIXM3WwAuRfjf30Fok2tiMv4uEWQdQP5A0G23Yvy4EE36fyWrAu3YosOskzCPTUanXmBzJ1qFwO0UlsUYEHX/ccqB+LaeKItFhliHUi3zt8qFXBSTEtPKWtrlGg+Fh7hUztfbKYeMu50tYDS7G3ADnWf7S3sMkZRFKFuLZtbcwLdeFBcto7xwYSGPmb91Etew0Ynw46mqFvdvD97mDC4jQWQHjrYsT4k29AKiGN65oGzSFd2r1VoG7Ufss6nyoXLR+y1sxPhQHzLcGgoBdGFHcRb92piIWcjrQQSGi8PJYg0zKlmI8aew0d9aAqM2HnXbNpc1zmsNaeggHtt6D6nxoPYY/ztx/KvTxPjTM0tdYjFXoVpb0Hpk0tQ5anTTdqAdzrXNOPxrgUHhrg06a5tQHffBSoK9eUBLwjx4UPmpUqDsGvb17SoOjoTXmalSoOg1dRnWlSoOpZmPFibcLkm1E7KxzRuCppUqD3bO1pJ5LyH2bqANAADyHU0ADSpUHjCvKVKgVOK1qVKg6U8DROCHeB8x8B/OlSoJFqHk9sUqVBGY0fitTuHOgpUqDtdXIPBRf1pyaQ/OlSoBw1dkcaVKg5I0pgtXlKgHc0gaVKg9SuaVKg9vSpUqD//2Q==[/img] The film big stars actually appear about half way through the film. While shown in a positive light in the beginning of his career, Hoover espouses the very things he abhors late in his career. The biggest blackmailer this country has EVER known of, he used the FBI to keep files, wire taps and spying on millions and did not rule out anyone with the excuse of national security. The film is a chronicle of forty years in the life of FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, starting first in the time of Prohibition, as he enforced the law on bootlegging and organized crime. Later, the director comes up against the Red Scare of the 1950s, the Kennedys, the wave of change in the 1960s, and his hatred of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Director, producer and screen writer Larry Cohen gives us a drama filled look at a man that remains a shadowy figure in the nation's past. Recommended, The Private Files could appeal to people that like drama or historical biographies especially of high profile officials. RT notes that this was one film that didn't have it's script reviewed by the FBI even though its facilites were shown in the film. Original Release Date: Dec 23, 1977 Broderick Crawford stars as the late J. Edgar Hoover, head of the FBI from 1924-1972. He takes over the role about half way through the film. The story follows Hoover from his racket-busting days through his reign under eight presidents, tracing the FBI from the time when its members carried no guns through to Hoover's ultimate demise and death. Director: Larry Cohen Writer: Larry Cohen Cast Cast overview, first billed only: Broderick Crawford ... J. Edgar Hoover James Wainwright ... Young Hoover Michael Parks ... Robert F. Kennedy José Ferrer ... Lionel McCoy Celeste Holm ... Florence Hollister Rip Torn ... Dwight Webb Dan Dailey ... Clyde Tolson Ronee Blakley ... Carrie DeWitt (as Roneé Blakley) Howard Da Silva ... Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt John Marley ... Dave Hindley Michael Sacks ... Melvin Purvis Raymond St. Jacques ... Martin Luther King June Havoc ... Hoover's Mother Lloyd Nolan ... Attorney General Harlan Stone Andrew Duggan ... Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson [img]http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS991NtRMnusNDk51UEtNPxVwpOkN6nAECXji10ICB_OIJzHRSz[/img] Who on earth sites a machine gun? J. Edgar Hoover did.

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Apr 23, 2009

Well shot, this is a fun and dramatic exposÃ© that now pales in comparison to the reality it presumes to unearth. There is a lot of great location work and some terrific supporting roles, especially Rip Torn, Jack Cassidy and JosÃ© Ferrer. It does demonstrate the internalized hypocrisy that fueled Hoover's obsessive behavior, but does not draw conclusions. For example, even though his massive gambling debts are mentioned, (and shown in some nice location work in Del Mar) there is no line drawn between them and his lifelong denial of the Mafia's existence. Nor is his sexuality, transvestitism and relationship with Clyde Tolson explored at any length, even as it relates to possible mafia blackmail. In the end, the connections Cohen does draw are b/w Hoover's holding dirt on the administration as enabling Watergate. Which at the time may have seemed like a clever way to draw a comparison between this film and All The President's Men, but in retrospect just seems like apologism. Still, this is an interesting film which is worth seeing for the cast, locations, and score. It also made me more curious to see how Michael Mann depicts Hoover through Billy Crudup in Public Enemies.

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Jan 20, 2009

Larry Cohen's political expose is muckracking pulp at its melodramatic best. The performances are uneven and the low budget is all too evident, but it has a raw, over-the-top energy that keeps it entertaining - and Broderick Crawford manages to wring some humanity out of his role as the beleaguered FBI director. The script is often ridiculous, but has some surprising moments of wit. Great bombastic, old-fashioned score by Miklos Rozsa.

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Larry Cohen

Director

Broderick Crawford

J. Edgar Hoover

Dan Dailey

Clyde Tolson

José Ferrer

Lionel McCoy

Michael Parks

Robert F. Kennedy

Ronee Blakley

Carrie DeWitt

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Synopsis

From the beginning of Prohibition and the outbreak of World War I through the depths of the Cold War, Vietnam and the Watergate scandal, J. Edgar Hoover (Broderick Crawford) serves his country as a quiet observer, a feared enforcer and the original leader of the FBI. When Hoover dies in 1972, a scandal erupts after his private files become public record and America gets a shocking glimpse into the mysterious figure who led the bureau in the most tumultuous decades of the 20th century.

Director: Larry Cohen
Producer: Larry Cohen
Production Co: American International Pictures (AIP), Larco Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 17, 2017
Runtime: 1h 52m

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