REVIEWS

“The Fall of ’55 is a significant contribution to gay history. This is the definitive document on the scandal of 1955… [A] visionary look at the emotional effect of this scandal. I recommend you watch this documentary many times because you’ll keep learning something new.”

— THE EVENING CLASS BY MICHAEL GUILLÉN
"10 LGBTQ Documentaries to Stream on Amazon Prime"

IndieWire
“A fascinating and disturbing documentary, The Fall of '55 details through vivid interviews and diligent research a witch hunt instigated by Boise authorities in search of a ‘sex ring’ of men preying on teenage boys.”

— BOISE WEEKLY • Boise, ID
“Seth Randal has created what surely must be the definitive work on the issue… Spirited and meticulously fair, ‘The Fall of ‘55’ is deeply instructive to the rest of us, who might think it could never happen where we live.“

— REVIEWER BARBARA WILCOX • GAY.COM
“This riveting documentary profiles a story that changed Boise, Idaho forever.”

— REELING FILM FESTIVAL • Chicago, IL
“’The Fall of ‘55’ is an invaluable window into a critical set of events in 20th century gay American history.”

— GAYLE RUBIN, ANTHROPOLOGY AND WOMEN’S STUDIES • U. OF MICHIGAN
“Director Seth Randal has crafted a truly noteworthy documentary... Five years of careful research and interviews with Boise residents touched personally by the events reveal surprising new information about many of the men involved.”

— NEWFEST FILM FESTIVAL • New York City
“Randal shows how the discovery of a so-called homosexual sex ring preying on minors snowballed with alarming speed into an hysterical paranoia, leading to the conviction of 15 men and the intimidation of hundreds more. Well-documented pic should easily find a home on gay-friendly cable.”

— VARIETY
“Randal’s telling of this story is both straight forward and well researched. Players in the historical drama are portrayed sensitively and without bias. ‘The Fall of ‘55’ could elicit emotions ranging from sadness to indignation...”

— AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
“Randal’s filmmaking style is influenced by Ken Burns’ grand documentaries (“Baseball” and “The Civil War”) and Errol Morris’ visual tale of injustice, “The Thin Blue Line.” (His) documentary has struck a chord with Boiseans and beyond.”

— THE IDAHO PRESS • Nampa, ID
[T]his is an important film for all of us to see. It shows us an America that many of us do not want to recognize but it shows us an America that was and in some places still is.”

– AMOS LASSEN
An excellent starting point for the historical context of homosexuality in contemporary America. And it creates a platform for discussion of broader questions related to community standards of morality verses individual rights.”

– EDUCATIONAL MEDIA REVIEWS ONLINE

Newfest New York City - World Premiere - 2006.png

Frameline - Official Selection - 2007.png

Reeling Chicago - Official Selection - 2007.png

Spokane International Film Festival - Official Selection - 2007.png

Idaho International Film Festival - Official Selection - 2006.png

“The Fall of ’55 is a significant contribution to gay history. This is the definitive document on the scandal of 1955… [A] visionary look at the emotional effect of this scandal. I recommend you watch this documentary many times because you’ll keep learning something new.”

"10 LGBTQ Documentaries to Stream on Amazon Prime"

“A fascinating and disturbing documentary, The Fall of '55 details through vivid interviews and diligent research a witch hunt instigated by Boise authorities in search of a ‘sex ring’ of men preying on teenage boys.”

“Seth Randal has created what surely must be the definitive work on the issue… Spirited and meticulously fair, ‘The Fall of ‘55’ is deeply instructive to the rest of us, who might think it could never happen where we live.“

“This riveting documentary profiles a story that changed Boise, Idaho forever.”

“’The Fall of ‘55’ is an invaluable window into a critical set of events in 20th century gay American history.”

“Director Seth Randal has crafted a truly noteworthy documentary... Five years of careful research and interviews with Boise residents touched personally by the events reveal surprising new information about many of the men involved.”

“Randal shows how the discovery of a so-called homosexual sex ring preying on minors snowballed with alarming speed into an hysterical paranoia, leading to the conviction of 15 men and the intimidation of hundreds more. Well-documented pic should easily find a home on gay-friendly cable.”

“Randal’s telling of this story is both straight forward and well researched. Players in the historical drama are portrayed sensitively and without bias. ‘The Fall of ‘55’ could elicit emotions ranging from sadness to indignation...”

“Randal’s filmmaking style is influenced by Ken Burns’ grand documentaries (“Baseball” and “The Civil War”) and Errol Morris’ visual tale of injustice, “The Thin Blue Line.” (His) documentary has struck a chord with Boiseans and beyond.”

[T]his is an important film for all of us to see. It shows us an America that many of us do not want to recognize but it shows us an America that was and in some places still is.”

An excellent starting point for the historical context of homosexuality in contemporary America. And it creates a platform for discussion of broader questions related to community standards of morality verses individual rights.”

THE FALL OF ‘55

FOLLOW ON Facebook