A charismatic visionary and fierce political activist, San Francisco city supervisor Harvey Milk was the first openly gay candidate ever elected to political office in California.

But, after serving only eleven months, he - and popular mayor George Moscone - were assassinated by deranged ex-supervisor Dan White, whose "Twinkie defense" (that the murderous rampage was fueled by junk food) and stunningly lenient sentence (a five-and-one-half year prison stretch without psychiatric treatment) provoked violence and rioting from an outraged public.

Epstein & Schmiechen's portrait of Long Island native Milk, narrated by Harvey Fierstein, traces his journey from naval cadet, stock analyst and theatrical producer through his West Coast re-location and rise from community activist (he was dubbed "The Mayor of Castro Street") to city leadership.

Milk's politics were populist and inclusive; his efforts to unite and empower labor, feminists, ethnic minorities and gays made him a hero to some and a dangerous enemy to others - he had, in fact, prepared a will eerily predicting his own murder.

Harvey Milk was the first openly gay man to be elected in public office in California. His life, work and finally his death has meant much for the gay liberation movement. Time magazine put Harvey Milk on the list of the 100 heroes & icons of the 20th century.

An impressive documentary that has to be seen by everyone interested in the history of gay people.

Especially the scene in which the candal parade is seen after the assassination of Harvey Milk is chilling.

Harvey Milk: If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door.

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