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Beefcake Details

1999 Certificate 18
  • Rated:
  • 50
  • from 711 members

A pseudo-documentary on the history of male photography from the 1950s; BEEFCAKE contains interviews with the original models from the era along with dramatic re-enactments of events from the time. Read more

Starring Daniel MacIvor, Joshua Peace, Carroll Godsman
Director Thom Fitzgerald
Genres Comedy, Drama, Gay/Lesbian

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Beefcake

A pseudo-documentary on the history of male photography from the 1950s; BEEFCAKE contains interviews with the original models from the era along with dramatic re-enactments of events from the time.

Starring Daniel MacIvor, Joshua Peace, Carroll Godsman
Director Thom Fitzgerald
Studio MILLIVRES MULTIMEDIA
Run time DVD: 1 hr 32 mins
Certificate Certificate 18
Genres Comedy, Drama, Gay/Lesbian
Language DVD: English
Released DVD: 05 Jan 2004
Production year: 1999
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews of Beefcake

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  • 3 stars out of 5

    Not the ideal documentary about American “male physique” photographer Bob Mizer but, given the limited budget, a worthy attempt. A surprising amount of Mizer's pictures and films have survived but, with the notable exception of Warhol superstar Joe Dallesandro, a Mizer model in 1967, those who worked in the semi-illicit world of nude photography tend not to have done. Much of Mizer's life is therefore reconstructed by actors. Director Thom Fitzgerald initially pretends, as did Mizer, that the blatantly homoerotic material is artistic and non-sexual. The truth emerges in a climactic court case (transcripts are used as dialogue) in which Mizer is accused of “pandering” (pimping).

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006

  • Most helpful member's review of Beefcake

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  • 6 out of 6 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Documentary style that works well

    This is more of a history documentary on the rise and fall of those 1950's muscle men magazines that inched their way onto newstands in America. The closest to a porn magazine you were likely to get in those days. In particular following the trials and tribulations of one of the original photographers in his plight to be accepted.

    Don't let that put you off. Included is a 'background' film, with some great comedy and tragedy, good looking nude men and some eye openers, as some of the original pin-ups of those days are interviewed!

    This is an unusual film and can be viewed and enjoyed many times over.

    Definitely recommended.

      • Cameron Hammerstein from LEICESTER, England
      • Posted 04 Apr 2004 11:03

  • Most recent members' review of Beefcake

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  • Rated - 2 stars

    More ham than beef

    This could have been either a really interesting story about the experience of the Athletic Models Guild in small-minded America or a detailed showcase of the photos and movies they produced. In the end it's neither. Too many issues are touched on but not explored, examples of the 'artwork' are rarely displayed for any meaningful period and the acting is just plain hammy. What's unintentionally hilarious is the seriously out of shape actors who are supposed to be portraying the 'fine specimens of all-American masculinity' that the Athletic Models Guild (there's a hint in the title guys) promoted.

    I suspect they had to call it a documentary to get funding from the likes of Channel Four, but it's hard not to get the feeling that this is just a wannabe soft porn flick.

    A bit of a joke really.

      • A customer from England
      • Posted 23 Nov 2006 18:15

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Rating breakdown

711 Member ratings
  • 100
38
  • 90
36
  • 80
63
  • 70
82
  • 60
122
  • 50
100
  • 40
85
  • 30
70
  • 20
78
  • 10
37

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    • Beefcake
      A pseudo-documentary on the history of male photography from the 1950s; BEEFCAKE contains interviews with the original models from the era along with dramatic re-enactments of events from the time....