Bildnis des Dorian Gray, Das

Alternative title: Dorian Gray Picture of Dorian Gray, The
Synopsis: Feature film adapted from the novel by Oscar Wilde but conceived as a sexploitation film and moral statement on London decadence in the 1960s. Self-absorbed and beautiful Dorian Gray (Berger) falls in love with actress Sibyl Vane (Liljedahl) while his friend, Basil (Todd), paints Dorian’s portrait. After a fight with Sibyl after a performance of Romeo and Juliet, Dorian goes to party given by Lord Wotton (Lom), a renowned hedonist. Later he sleeps with Wotton’s sister and Sibyl commits suicide. Dorian keeps the painting hidden and it reflects his moral degeneration as he follows a life of pleasure while the portrait remains beautiful. Eventually Dorian murders Basil for painting the portrait. The film depicts two balcony scenes from Romeo and Juliet; a third extract is Sibyl’s performance in the crypt scene played before Wotton and his friends.
Language: English
Country: Germany; Great Britain; Italy
Medium: Film
Technical information: Colour / Sound
Year of release: 1970
Duration: 98 mins; 8,820 feet

Director

Massimo Dallamano

Producer

Harry Alan Towers

Cinematographer

Otello Spila

Screenplay

Marcello Coscia; Massimo Dallamano

Music

Carlo Pes; Peppino De Luca

Art Direction

Mario Ambrosino

Cast

Notes: The VHS tape available through amazon.com is NTSC and in Italian (3/2007).
History: Released in the UK 1973.
Reviews: Tom Milne, Monthly Film Bulletin vol. 40, no. 474, July 1973, p. 144 `...Helmet Berger and Richard Todd seem to be vying with each other for the distinction of most embarrassing performance. Richard Todd, though given fewer histrionic opportunities, wins by a canter’.

Shakespeare, "Bildnis des Dorian Gray, Das". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/shakespeare/search/index.php/title/av67970 (Accessed 20 Sep 2024)

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