File X for Sex: The Story of the Perverted

About This Movie

File X for Sex: The Story of the Perverted sits in that strange niche of 1960s documentary where voyeurism meets academic inquiry. The tone, almost clinical yet tinged with a bizarre curiosity, draws you into the world of abnormal sexuality. The pacing is a bit uneven, oscillating between dispassionate case studies and more sensationalized sequences, which keeps you on your toes. There's something unsettling about how it presents its subjects, almost as if you’re peering through a keyhole into a hidden world. The practical effects are minimal, but it’s the rawness of the performances—real people sharing their stories—that stands out, making you ponder the nature of desire and societal norms. Quite distinctive in its approach, it’s a time capsule of a more open yet conflicted era.

This film has a bit of a cult following among collectors due to its controversial subject matter and its obscurity. Original prints are hard to come by, with most circulating in subpar conditions, and it has been released in limited formats over the years. A fascinating piece for those interested in the evolution of sex education in media and the shifting perceptions of sexuality during the sixties.