Watch Fortune and Men's Eyes

Fortune and Men's Eyes is a powerful, provocative drama from 1971 that explores themes of homosexuality, oppression, and the struggle for identity in a brutal prison system. Directed by Harvey Hart, the film stars Wendell Burton as Smitty, a young man who is sent to jail on a drug charge and quickly becomes a target for abuse and manipulation by the other inmates.

At first, Smitty is naive and hopeful, believing that he can serve his time and return to a normal life. But as he witnesses and experiences the violence and degradation of prison life, he begins to realize the true nature of his situation. He befriends Mona, a drag queen played by Michael Greer, who teaches him survival skills and introduces him to a secret gay subculture within the prison. Through Mona and his other friends, Smitty learns to navigate the brutal hierarchies of prison life and assert his own identity, even as he faces overwhelming odds.

As the film unfolds, we see the various power struggles and alliances that form within the prison walls, as well as the harsh realities of life for inmates who are subjected to physical and sexual abuse by both guards and other prisoners. Despite these hardships, however, Smitty and his friends find moments of love and connection, carving out small moments of humanity in an otherwise brutal and dehumanizing environment.

One of the most striking aspects of Fortune and Men's Eyes is its frank and unapologetic portrayal of homosexuality and queer culture in a time when LGBT rights were still in their infancy. The film was groundbreaking in its explicit depiction of same-sex relationships and subcultures, and it remains a provocative and challenging work to this day.

The cast of Fortune and Men's Eyes is superb, with standout performances by Burton and Greer in particular. Burton effectively conveys the sense of vulnerability and confusion that Smitty feels as he tries to understand the complexities of his new world, while Greer imbues Mona with both strength and sensitivity, making him a compelling and sympathetic character. The supporting cast is also strong, with standout performances by the likes of Zooey Hall as Queenie and Danny Freedman as the menacing Lynch.

Although the film is undeniably bleak and harrowing at times, it retains a sense of hope and resilience that is ultimately uplifting. By portraying the struggles and triumphs of a marginalized community within a larger system of oppression, Fortune and Men's Eyes offers a powerful message about the resilience of the human spirit.

Overall, Fortune and Men's Eyes is a powerful and thought-provoking drama that remains relevant and challenging more than 50 years after its initial release. By depicting the brutal realities of prison life and the resilience of queer subcultures, it offers a unique perspective on issues of identity, oppression, and the search for dignity in an unjust world.