Picture of Dorian Gray (1945)
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VHS Movie Reviews of Picture of Dorian Gray (1945)
Movie Review: Elegant and timeless classic...excellent performances...
Summary: 4 Stars
One of my personal favorites of films of the '40s is this visually striking version raising the art of black-and-white photography to new heights. The sets and costumes and deep-focus photography combine to make even more absorbing the story Oscar Wilde tells of the man whose portrait decays as he himself remains forever youthful.
Hurd Hatfield never had a better role and he makes the most of it. George Sanders, Angela Lansbury, Donna Reed, Peter Lawford, Lionel Gilmore, George Sanders, Morton Lowry and many others contribute to the overall excellence of the acting. The period atmosphere of late-Victorian London adds much to the slowly growing horror of the tale.
If you want action and special effects, see a Clint Eastwood or Bruce Willis film--forget this. But as a compelling and psychological study of a man influenced by evil (personified by George Sanders as Lord Henry), this version is better than any of the others made since. It's chilling, the way Wilde intended, and no one could deliver his cynical yet witty observations about human nature better than George Sanders. Hurd Hatfield makes an excellent impression as the youthful Dorian who makes the mistake of getting what he wished for. The handsome portrait of Dorian looks especially fine in the brief Technicolor inserts and the depraved portrait almost jumps off the screen.
By all means, an outstanding film. Should be required viewing as a study of the art of black-and-white cinematography
Movie Review: WHY NOT???????
Summary: 5 Stars
Just tell me WHY this classic film is NOT out on DVD????????????????
It SHOULD BE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Movie Review: Release this dvd...................
Summary: 5 Stars
I have a copy that was already rleased in europe but cannot play becuse it is region 2. Why does europe get movies before here? please issue this movie now..................Movie Review: Stays close to the book
Summary: 4 Stars
I agree with an earlier post that the narration is somewhat distracting, but overall it is a superb rendition. Somewhat cartoonish with the portrait itself being shown in color; it would have been more creepy in black and white with the rest of the picture. I appreciate directors who stay close to the original story and not change it to put their own mark on a tale.
WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GET THIS EXCELLENT MOVIE ON DVD???
Movie Review: An Exceptional Film Adaptation of the Classic Novel
Summary: 5 Stars
This 1945 film adaptation of Oscar Wilde's classic novella is more that likely the best adaptation one will ever see. This may seem to be a big statement, but Albert Lewin's direction along with Harry Stradling Sr.'s Oscar winning Cinematography for 1946, appears almost flawless when comparing the classic novel with the film.
George Sanders as Lord Henry Wotton should have won the Oscar that year for best supporting actor because his performance is faultless, brimming with style and wit. To my mind, he is Oscar Wilde, snobbish, intelligent and uses his tongue as a sword, cutting anyone down to size who cares to challenge him. Some of his lines from the screenplay are pure gems that Wilde is so famous for:
"I like persons better than principles and persons with no principles better than anything at all."
"Forgive me for the intelligence of my argument; I'd forgotten you were a Member of Parliament."
Dorian Gray (Hurd Hatfield) is a slightly effeminent aristocrat who makes a Faustian pact to gain eternal youth. Gray's portrait, however, reveals Gray's soul, as he plunges himself into the dark and criminal world of 19th century London. Gray is selfish, uncaring, and arrogant and portrays the true 19th century hedonist; a Wildean character in the truest sense, as the then infamous novel, during the famous Wilde trials, was partly responsible for his four year imprisonment. This was the time when homosexuality was illegal, and Oscar Wilde became a scapegoat for the English's notorious hypocrisy.
Angela Lansbury as Sibyl Vane won her the Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination. She is beautiful in this role, touching and almost pitiful as her innocence is corrupted by the cruel Dorian Gray.
What is curious about this film is that it is black and white; however, the actual portrait of Dorian is shown four times through the film in colour.
This was the only novel Oscar Wilde ever wrote, as he was predominantly a playwright and poet. The book also is a comment on the "Art for Art's Sake" sensibility and a philosophical commentary on the Aesthetic movement. The film also touches on these points, albeit on a superficial level.
This is a wonderful film and one hopes that in the near future it will be available on DVD.
Absolutely excellent.