Respectable: The Mary Millington Story

First time director Simon Sheridan pays his respects to Mary Millington, Britain's sex superstar of the 1970s. Blending a perfect recipe of primary documentary evidence, expert talking heads, original audio recordings and varied video clips, Sheridan's story is both moving and captivating. All aspects of Mary's life and career are examined in detail to provide a comprehensive and compelling depiction of her spectacular rise to fame and tragic fall into depression in a few short years.

Key players in Mary's short life including David Sullivan, Mary Whitehouse and Diana Dors are featured, as are extensive examples of Mary's professional print and film output. Documentary contributors include Mary's lovers, friends and family who between them create a detailed picture of Mary's complex personality and motivations. Sheridan's documentary film is expertly pieced together and is not to be missed.

This documentary provides insight into the all-too-brief life of Mary Millington, both celebrated and damned during her life because of her appearances in both "hard" and "soft" porn.

Mary comes across as eminently likable, independent of spirit but also vulnerable.

Offending "the Establishment" has never been a free ride, and although by the 1970s attitudes to matters sexual had become more liberal than in the early 1960s when the likes of Christine Keeler, Mandy Rice-Davies and Stephen Ward were prosecuted (one might say persecuted), with the well publicised efforts of Mary Whitehouse, Lord Longford and Malcolm Muggeridge, Mary's exploits were unlikely to go unremarked. And judging from the notes she left at the time of her death she clearly felt "they" - the police and the tax man in particular - were out to get her.

With proper help (if she had been prepared to accept it) Mary might well have got through her problems, especially her relationship with her mother and the effect of her death, and gone on to make her mark as an actress or elsewhere, but sadly that is purely hypothetical.

I felt very sad by the end of the film - at the loss of such a vibrant free spirit so early in her life. But also heartened at the reminder of this free spirit who refused to accept other peoples norms.

As to the documentary as a piece of film making, I cannot see how it could have been improved. A truly excellent piece of work by Simon Sheridan and those with whom he worked.

Just finished watching this on US Netflix and can't recommend it highly enough. It's the incredibly moving story of (in)famous 1970s British sex star Mary Millington. Directed by Simon Sheridan (author of 'Come Play With Me: The Life and Times of Mary Millington' and 'Keeping the British End Up: Four Decades of Saucy Cinema'), this is a must see film even if you have never heard of Mary. It also takes a look at the state of UK censorship and the local sex industry during the 1970s.

It is beautifully shot (courtesy of cinematographer Dave Meehan) and it's obvious a huge amount of research went into making it. Definitely the best documentary I've seen in a long time.

Simon Sheridan has put together an incredibly moving, touching and funny documentary that sheds light on the effervescent Mary Millington. This is so much more than a documentary on porn; it is an insight into how one woman showcased her own feminist movement, albeit in way that rocked the establishment, and how she celebrated her unconventional job and how she loved her body. Mary was natural, smart, and way before her time.

Respectable highlights a time in the 20th century when we Brits were conflicted with our culture, but most of it all is explores the beauty and vulnerability of Mary, who was, in a way, Britain's own Marilyn Monroe.

Mary sparkles on the screen, and Simon Sheridan has cleverly captured the essence of Mary through footage and interviews with her family. Watch this, and learn something. Compelling, tragic, thoughtful, wonderful.

This is the best thing I have watched in 2016.

This is a wonderfully moving warts and all documentary that shows the extreme ups and downs of the UK'S only real iconic porn star,the love and respect Simon Sheridan has for Mary shines through as much as that of her friends and family.

Dexter Fletcher's narration is perfect and most of the major people in Mary's life have been interviewed,including David Sullivan, Francoise Pascal and the late Stanley A. Long.

This is a must see for any one with an interest in British cinema or just an interest in a larger than life bundle of contradictions who fought against the strict censorship laws of the time..... She really did want to stick it to the man...