CBS Films ‘looking into’ why homosexuality was removed from ‘Pride’ DVD cover
CBS Films has said it will look into why all reference to homosexuality was removed from the American DVD release of Pride.
The film, about a group of gay and lesbian activists who rallied in support of striking miners in the 1980s, was released in the UK to acclaim last year.
However, the US DVD cover makes a number of shocking changes, removing all reference to sexuality.
The film’s synopsis is changed from mentioning “a London-based group of gay and lesbian activists” to “a group of London-based activists”.
PinkNews also discovered that a picture on the back cover has been digitally altered from a widely-circulated promotional image – removing a sign stating ‘Lesbians & Gays Support the Miners’.
CBS Films – which released the DVD alongside Sony Pictures – told PinkNews that it is “looking into” the release – and points out its own website carries the original synopsis, which does reference sexuality.
The company said: “We’re looking into this now and our page for the film remains the same as it has for months: https://cbsfilms.com/pride/”
The film company later tweeted a review of Pride making its content clear, writing: “‘Pride,’ a film about gay and lesbian support for striking Welsh miners in the ’80s, resonates today”
The back cover is below:
And the original promotional image:
The synopsis states: “PRIDE is inspired by an extrodinary true story. It’s the summer of 1984 and much of blue-collar Great Britain is on strike.
“For one tiny Welsh village, the strike brings unexpected visitors – a group of London-based activists who decide to raise money to support strikers’ families and want to make their donations in person.
The text appears to be an edited version of the film’s original synopsis providing more context to American audiences while failing to mention homosexuality.
The orignal synopsis said: “PRIDE is inspired by an extraordinary true story.
“It’s the summer of 1984, Margaret Thatcher is in power and the National Union of Mineworkers is on strike, prompting a London-based group of gay and lesbian activists to raise money to support the strikers’ families.
“Initially rebuffed by the Union, the group identifies a tiny mining village in Wales and sets off to make their donation in person…”
The DVD was released by Sony Pictures and CBS Films on December 23. Pride is released on DVD in the UK in March.
