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

Credits

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
Marie LiljedahlSibyl Vane (Juliet)
Helmut BergerDorian Gray
Herbert LomLord Wotton
Richard ToddBasil Hallward

Additional Details

Production type
Fiction Films
Plays
Romeo and Juliet
Keywords
Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Notes

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’.

Production Company

Name

Sargon Film

Name

Terra Filmskunst

Name

Towers of London

Online Retailer

Name

amazon.com

Web
http://www.amazon.com External site opens in new window

How to cite this record

Shakespeare, "Bildnis des Dorian Gray, Das". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/shakespeare/search/index.php/title/av67970 (Accessed 26 Nov 2024)