The leather boys

... shabby, grimy and smoky. And gran's house is full of relics from the Edwardian era. Her son tries to persuade her that it is a "dump" and she should go into an old people's home. Typical kitchen sink drama in that the working classes are portrayed as constantly shrieking and flying off the handle - especially Rita Tushingham. Oh, I'd forgotten those "bouffant" hairstyles that took such a lot of work. I'd forgotten "ton-up" boys too.

I laughed when I saw the title. I thought that is a very dodgy title! I was even more surprised when I realised it had a gay character lurking in his sexy leathers behind the main character! (Not that he got up to anything behind him) Although, I have to say it is extremely well acted, and even though the film is rather ancient now, it was actually rather refreshing, and very entertaining. So if it pops up on television somewhere, and you happen to be in front of it, watch it! It is well scripted and splendid stuff. You don't have to be gay to enjoy it either! Nice bikes too, makes me want to get my three wheeler out of the garage. Pedal power... Oh yes... Work those legs!

Captures the atmosphere of the 60s biking scene brilliantly. Why in the reviews here does no-one mention the motorcycles??!!! The only reason I wanted to see this was to drink in the atmosphere of the Ace Cafe and see the bikes! It was a bonus that the film had Rita Tushingham and a good story.

Everyone seems to be getting excited about the 'gay' element, yes, it was pretty out there for the film made in the 60s, but it's really about society. It's about being an outsider, in more ways than one.

I saw an old interview with the director, Sidney J Furie; he said whilst filming at The Ace, all the locals completely ignored the cameras and even Rita Tushingham, because they were far more interested in their own scene than a load of actors.

It's hard to find this film now, but if you can, it's well worth a look. It might not be sophisticated as today's films, but that doesn't matter - it has the one thing they don't - originality!

An interesting kitchen sink film that alludes too, rather than tackling homosexuality. Worth watching for the location shots and the fine performance of Dudley Sutton. The final quarter of an hour is really quite poignant and there is an excellent final scene.

A fascinating film which shows you just how fast the 1960s was waking up in 1964. Some say the homosexuality in the film is referred to obliquely. I disagree. Unless you are 13 years old, it should be very obvious that Reggie's mate is gay about half way through the film. Other than that it is fascinating to see how the film was used as a template for Quadrophenia (1979). I can think of at least 10 similarities. 1) Our hero is working class teenager with a broad cockney accent. 2) All his mates ride motorbikes. 3) The main character takes a road trip to Brighton 4) The argument in the café in Brighton between the two key male characters. 5) The same shot of the massed bikes facing the camera as they head off down a London road. 6) Jimmy in Quadrophenia has a close mate who works as a car engineer. Reggie works as a car/ bike engineer. 7) One of the main characters (Chalkie?) stands out by wearing a traditional tweed hat with a feather in it - the character who calls the start of the endurance race in Leather Boys wears one too. 8) Jimmy encounters his old biker school mate (played by Ray Winstone) when both are stark naked in the baths...need I say more. 9) Reggie/ Jimmy are unable to sustain a relationship with their girlfriends. 10) ..and this is the clincher. The final scene has Jimmy/Reggie walking towards the camera after their whole world has fallen apart, with the audience left guessing what will become of them. Especially liked Rita Tushingham's performance in Leather Boys, she does angry much better than Lesley Ash in Quadrophenia.