Consenting Adults (2007 film)

Consenting Adults is a 2007 BBC Four television film which portrays the events of the Wolfenden Committee, chaired by Sir John Wolfenden.[1] The film is set in the 1950s and depicts social attitudes towards homosexuality in Britain at that time, while also focusing on Wolfenden and his homosexual son Jeremy Wolfenden.

Consenting Adults
GenreDrama
Written byJulian Mitchell
Directed byRichard Curson Smith
StarringCharles Dance
Sean Biggerstaff
Samantha Bond
Mel Smith
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
Production
Running time75 minutes
Original release
NetworkBBC Four
Release5 September 2007 (2007-09-05)

The Committee first met on 15 September 1954 and published its report on 4 September 1957, recommending that "homosexual behaviour between consenting adults in private should no longer be a criminal offence". The report led to the passage of the Sexual Offences Act 1967, which partially decriminalised homosexuality in England and Wales.

The film was commissioned as part of a season of programming marking the 40th anniversary of the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in England and Wales in 1967.

Cast

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Reception

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The film was nominated for BAFTA Scotland’s Best Drama Award, and at the ceremony on 18 November 2007, Sean Biggerstaff won BAFTA Scotland's Award for Best Actor (Television).[2][3]

References

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  1. ^ Banks-Smith, Nancy (6 September 2007). "Last night's TV: Consenting Adults". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  2. ^ "BAFTA | Scotland in 2007". bafta.org. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Last King rules at Scots Baftas". BBC News. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
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