The Picture of Dorian Gray

The Picture of Dorian Gray, based on Oscar Wilde's novel, is a classic and timeless film about morality that everyone should see.The actors are; George Sanders, Hurd Hatfield, Donna Reed, Angela Lansbury, Peter Lawford, Lowell Gilmore, Richard Fraser, Douglas Valton, and Morten Lowry.I would like to share the premise of the movie and poignant scenes, reveal history behind it, discuss symbolism that is shown, along with the set design and cinematography technique, which created this elegant supernatural horror movie about evil.Notice MGM's Logo stating "Ars Gratia Artis", which translates "Art for Art's Sake." It is a motto this movie will challenge and criticize.The musical scoring is done by a most underrated composer, Herbert Stothart, who originated MGM's first sound films in the 30s and 40s. His scorings have echoes and themes of periods in which the stories take place.Director Albert Lewin and Edwin B. Willis made sure that the set design and decorations were absolutely beautiful! The contrast between Dorian's music hall and his foyer really shows the class distinction that is in his world. So, it certainly makes an impression and the gaslights are wonderful. Every little detail that is not modern stands out in this film in terms of the art direction.Chinese figurines and statuary are seen everywhere in Dorian's home. The oriental screen and furniture were real antiques. They wanted everything done according to the period. The house looks expansive, luxurious, elegant, and filled with treasures of art.The set has several levels and perspective, and is beautifully designed for movies. This set was constructed in Hollywood during the time when they could not be taken apart in 1-2 hours, because they were solid and very sturdy.In the scene where Dorian has a party Lewin is being very accurate to his source because Aestheticism loves Asian art. The black lacquer and gold is the exotic nature of Asian art. So, when he chose a motif for Dorian's party he chose exactly the right one for Oscar Wilde's predilections.Various works of literature are also introduced in the movie: The Light of Asia by Edwin Arnold, and the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyyan. Dorian even reads a poem of Oscar Wilde's. The Bible is phrased when Basil confronts Dorian about the stories he has heard and Dorian responds back asking, "Am I my brother's keeper?"It is interesting how director, Albert Lewin, had so much literate narration in the movie. As you watch parts of it without dialog you will see shots with no movement, but it makes the story quite compelling. Because he drops narration in at the right moments to tell us what is going on with the interior of Dorian Gray.George Sanders plays the Oscar Wilde character, Lord Henry Wotton. George Sanders was a very educated, well-read man, and actor of his time. So, he understood and knew just how to deliver his lines. He relished the role because this character matches how Sanders saw his self. In the film he is sort of like the devil with a mustache and goatee. He is like the devil's advocate, who seduces Dorian Gray into selling his soul for eternal youth. So it does not show the devil, but rather shows the interior sell of Dorian's soul.For Lord Henry's seduction of Dorian he paraphrases aesthetic sentiments found in the book, "Studies in the History of the Renaissance". Wilde was introduced to this theory while he was at Oxford. The theory of art for art's sake is shown in this movie, but it had a creed that was very strict. Wilde lived by it in the early part of his career. That art should only be on the surface. It is all about beauty, what you see, and no morality should be attached to it. One should live for pleasure only, without any moral consequences figured in. This aesthetic creed is what Lord Henry tells Dorian the young, naïve, and beautiful man that he meets at Basil Hallward's home.Oscar Wilde lived by this creed but by the time he came around to writing The Picture of Dorian Gray he was criticizing it, if you think of what it is about.The story centers on a portrait of Dorian that the painter Basil Hallward made of him. The film is in black and white but what is extraordinary is they show Dorian's portrait in color. Lord Henry tells Dorian his youth will fade and he will grow old, but that the picture will always show him as young. Dorian is spellbound by Lord Henry's folly to have eternal youth and expresses a wish to remain young. There is a statue of a cat in Basil's home that Lord Henry says is one of the 73 gods of Egypt and capable of granting his wish. That is when Dorian says, "If only the picture could change and I could be what I always am now. For that I would give everything. Yes, there's nothing in the whole world I would not give. I'd give my soul for that."The cat statue is seen painted in Dorian's portrait. Lord Henry tells Basil the cat and portrait should not be separated so Basil agrees to give Dorian the statue. You will observe the ever-present cat in Dorian's home. Keep count of how many scenes you see it in.Dorian Gray is depicted as the most handsome man ever and an extraordinary figure of beauty. So, the story is about a man who makes himself a work of art. He keeps his beauty but his soul, which is the true reality, is affected by his evil and starts to degenerate. That is a moralistic story. The one thing aestheticism says you should not do is have a moral, and this moral is very prominent in the movie.Dorian takes Lord Henry's advice and goes out into the world to enjoy life's pleasures and meets Sybil Vane played by Angela Lansbury.Sybil portrays a haunting, innocent, child-like woman. Sybil's mother is controlling and sees the opportunity. Class boundaries are shown as Dorian is rich and Sybil is a singer at a dive. Sybil is pure and trusting, entranced, and falls in love with Dorian. Sybil is hell bent on destruction in spite of her brother's concerns. Unlike her mother, she loves Dorian and does not want to use him, but she is not aware of the class distinction preventing them from getting together nor is she aware of the evil in men's hearts.Harry Stradling won an Oscar for best cinematography of this black and white film. He caught Angela Lansbury at her very best as her close ups are just shimmering. There is a soft light about her when she sings, "Little Yellow Bird." Then the light becomes dark when Dorian plays Chopin's, "Prelude" on the piano. There is a challenge in the way he used the lens, the amount of light, and still made everyone look so attractive.Stradling did "deep focus" in the film. He caught the foreground, middle ground, and background in several scenes. In one you see a picture of Sybil in the foreground, while Dorian is in the middle ground writing a letter, and in the background you see a servant who is walking through an entrance way. He was a genius so take notice of these various scenes.Sybil is an innocent that we instantly love and want to protect, and seeing her misused by Dorian through the advice of Lord Henry is suspenseful and heartbreaking. There is a scene that makes Lord Henry even more diabolical as he has Dorian seduce Sybil and set a terrible trap for her. If Sybil acquiesces, Dorian will reject her. So, he has to make her believe that, that is what he wants from her. So, it is very evil.A lot of symbolism is seen in the film and this is aestheticism. It is in a scene when Lord Henry captures a butterfly at the same time he seduces Dorian to sell his soul. There is a scene with a man wearing a sandwich-board sign with a big eye on it that follows Dorian in the streets. Even when he goes in the dive and shuts the door you see it outside the window looking in, sort of judging him like the eye of God. Another scene is when Dorian and Sybil stand kissing in a dark silhouette as if their relationship is doomed. There are ominous Victorian figures in the background, which make it complex. Another symbolic moment is when Sybil is talking to her brother, James, and compares Dorian to a picture of Sir Tristan that she is looking at.Albert Lewin understood that symbolism was a big thing for aestheticism and this was a movie criticizing aestheticism, but he also knew it was something that the audience had to respond to emotionally more than intellectually.Lewin requested Hurd Hatfield to portray Dorian Gray in a very interesting way. He was instructed not to move his face at all and so he had to keep this immobility at all times. Lewin had a vision of a very beautiful mask-like face so Hurd had to play an icy, deadpan, humorless character that never shows any emotion. It goes with the theme of Oscar Wilde's, because Dorian is his own work of art. He remains beautiful but the work of art itself he destroys, because the painting is evil.This is revealed when Sybil gives into Dorian's seduction and the next day he sends a letter rejecting her. Later, he looks at his portrait that Basil painted and notices a subtle change. He sees a slight mark of cruelty around his mouth that was not there before. So, he realizes that his wish was granted and he will keep his youth, but only his image will change in the painting and show the reality of all the sins of his soul.Dorian is not a completely evil person and so that is why his painting changes. He tries to be a sociopath, to live on the surface, and be a complete hedonist. But he is haunted in the story by the physical representation of his own conscience and that is what makes this a moral story, and a criticism of aestheticism.After the painting had changed, Basil visits Dorian and says that he would like to put his portrait on exhibit. Dorian asks Basil not to look at the portrait and threatens to end their friendship if he does, so Basil honors his request. Dorian realizes that no one can see the portrait and has his servants carry it to the top level of his home, and store it in an old school room that he used as a youth. He then fires his servants to keep the secret hidden, because Dorian's decomposing portrait reveals his sins.The decomposing painting was done by identical twins; the Albrights. They did their research in alcoholic wards, mental hospitals, people dying of illness, and painted decomposing bodies. Dorian's was painted in the basement of a Methodist church.Take notice of how the camera always rises to show us what we have been subliminally noticing all along. It draws attention to the top level of the house, just above Dorian's big mahogany doors, and reminds us constantly of his portrait that he keeps hidden.Dorian then decides to write Sybil again admitting the wrong that he had done and asks for her forgiveness. Because now that he knows the portrait will be his visible conscious he decides that he will live a good life. After that, Lord Henry visits Dorian to inform him Sybil committed suicide. Lord Henry's nonchalant chatterbox attitude greatly influences Dorian's response to Sybil's death. So, when Basil drops by to give Dorian his condolences he is shocked at his indifference. Basil then draws a silhouette of Sybil on a music sheet of the song "Little Yellow Bird", which is placed on a piano in Dorian's home and is a haunting reminder of Dorian's sin.As time passes everyone ages while Dorian remains young. The miracle of his youth causes wonder among those he knows, but rarely suspicion. Evil things are said about Dorian but no one can believe them when they look upon his unmarked face.One of the great things about the movie is that Dorian's sins are never told. It is all left up to your imagination. But it does not look good and it could be anything when you see him go down into the dark parts of London. You only see that he has ruined his soul. Oscar Wilde said the sins that Dorian commits are the sins that the viewer brings to him.Sybil Vane's brother, James, learns where Dorian lives from Adrian Singleton, who is a dissipated victim in the dark part of London that hates Dorian for ruining him. James has been attempting to find who Dorian is for years ever since his sister's suicide.One night when Dorian is in the dark part of London he begins to question selling his soul for youth when he hears a preacher speaking on the street to a crowd of people and says, "What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul. The soul is an illusion. It is a terrible reality. It can be bought and sold, and bartered away. It can be poisoned or made perfect."Oscar Wilde said that Dorian is who he would like to be because while Dorian does have a surface that is beautiful, he also has a conscience. Oscar said Lord Henry was how the world saw Wilde; wicked, paradoxical, witty, and insincere, but he said that Basil Hallward is the way he really was. Wilde was quite a poser himself. So, he was really at heart like Dorian, a man of conscience and sensitivity, if that is how he saw himself.Everyone around Dorian is very expressive and he is not, so he feels invulnerable to all the seediness that he has created and which surrounds him. He does not even show fear when Sybil's brother, James, confronts him, who does not believe he is the Dorian he is looking for since he is young and twenty two years have passed. He appears as Oscar Wilde wanted him to be, a work of art that does not change. Later, James gets killed by accident in a shooting hunt on Dorian's property, so fate saves Dorian from James. It is like there is a higher power protecting him, and that the only one who can kill Dorian is Dorian Gray.But Basil makes a fatal mistake early in the movie when he tries to introduce morality to Dorian and asks him to read Omar Kayyan. Later in the movie, Basil confronts Dorian about the stories and deathbed confessions he has heard about him, and finds them hard to believe when he looks upon his face. In order for Basil to know he says that he would have to see Dorian's soul. So, Dorian takes Basil upstairs to his school room and shows him his decomposing portrait. Basil is shocked but confirms it is the one that he painted when he sees his signature. Basil then beseeches Dorian to pray with him because to Basil life is more important than art, which is ironic being that he is the artist who painted the painting. So, all of this is a big sin against aestheticism, which Oscar Wilde was writing about, and for this Basil must die.Now that Basil knows Dorian's secret he feels hatred towards him, because of the terror of his knowledge and the use he might make of it. He feels panic, desperate, and cornered like an animal. By doing that he is reminding Dorian of what he`s become by living on the surface. By only caring about the look of things and being a complete hedonist living for pleasure, and he can't stand the judgment. Basil is introducing morality and that is when Dorian kills Basil by stabbing him with a knife.There are other scenes of symbolism in this part of the film. You see a cross shining on a door behind the chair that Basil is sitting on when he is talking to Dorian in his old schoolroom. You also see a cross in the window pane that is behind Dorian where he is standing and listening to Basil.Symbolism is shown in the movie every time a person falls prey to being Dorian's victim, which is interesting to notice. There are children's blocks in his old school room and as his victims pile up you see their initials in the blocks on the floor just under a table. So, watch each time you see Dorian in his schoolroom as the camera does a close up of the blocks and you see them move. To the left is SV for Sybil Vane. At the top is BH for Basil Hallward. To the right is JV for Sybil's brother, James. There is AC for Alan Campbell. There are others so check out how many you can find.Also, after Dorian kills Basil you see a lamp in the room that swings and Dorian is shown in darkness and then in light as the lamp swings back and forth. This is symbolic of Dorian's lost innocence, because at one time he was the innocent. But now that he has killed Basil there is no going back as he has committed the ultimate crime. The only violence that is shown in the movie is Basil's death; which is literate, tasteful, suggestive, and quite disturbing. Afterwards, Dorian's portrait sweated a dew of blood, which symbolizes what he had just done. Dorian wipes the blood off his knife with a symbol of his boyhood. This is all symbolic and within the concepts of aestheticismDorian then requests Alan Campbell, a scientist, to come to his home. When Alan arrives, Dorian tells him of his crime and asks him to help get rid of the body. Alan refuses but then Dorian shows a letter that he intends to blackmail him with by mailing it to his wife. We do not know what it is, but is must be pretty lurid because Alan agrees.There is a strong possibility that people back in those days did not understand the homophobic themes in the movie. The three men; Lord Henry, Basil, and Dorian have an unusual relationship and they talk about male beauty a lot. Basil paints Dorian Gray's portrait as a male beauty and he is sort of putting his love for this other man on canvas, which is the only way it could turn out to be the masterpiece it is. Lord Henry is seducing Dorian Gray in a sort of intellectual way, but making him kind of like his.Dorian causes the wreck of other men's lives in the story. There are men who cannot walk into a club now, or they have committed suicide because of things he has done. Dorian Gray goes out and does just about anything that comes to his mind and, if he is Oscar Wilde's character, one of those things would be homosexuality.It is inherent in the piece because Oscar Wilde put it there. Wilde was married and had children, but he was bisexual and had male lovers. One got him in a lot of trouble and it was such a scandal in Victorian England that it ruined Wilde. He was accused by the Marquis of Queensbury of being homosexual. Oscar Wilde sued for slander and lost, and was sent to jail for sodomy. So, this one and only novel was very personal to him.This was also probably seen at the time of the novels release by a select number of people who were literary sophisticates. The critics saw it and now it is common knowledge.Anyway, when Basil Hallward turns up missing there is an investigation by the police, but they are never able to find out what happened to him. Meanwhile, Dorian gets engaged to Basil's niece Gladys, who if Basil were still alive would have strongly protested against their union.Gladys is first introduced to us in the movie when she was 5 years old. This was when Basil was first painting Dorian's picture and Lord Henry was having his conversation with Dorian about youth and how he would grow old. Little Gladys had a lot of love for Dorian at the time and said that Dorian will stay just the way he is now until she grows up. So Gladys is now a grown woman but Dorian still remains young.But Dorian has a change of heart about marrying Gladys, played by Donna Reed, and sends her a rejection letter. In the letter he tells her, "This is the only good thing I have ever done." Dorian sees that he would be doing Gladys a deep wrong by marrying her. Gladys shares the letter with Lord Henry and David Stone. There is not a lot of movement or camera action, but the audience is not impatient to move on. We just want to see what happens next.After that, David Stone, played by Peter Lawford, speaks out about Dorian. In the movie you see that David is in love with Gladys and is devastated when Dorian proposes to her. David confesses to Gladys and Lord Henry that he questioned why Dorian changed his servants all the time. David says it does not matter what they think of him and that it is not important but he felt something was wrong. He then explains to Gladys and Lord Henry how he managed to get an old key from one of Dorian's servants and went into his old school room to see what the mystery was about. David said he saw Dorian's old school relics but he saw a portrait that was covered up. When he removed the cover he saw a picture of a decomposing person that was monstrous. Gladys then wrote down on a piece of paper Basil's signature and a G, for Gladys, which she had painted on Dorian's portrait when she was a little girl. David tells Gladys that it is the signature that he saw.So Gladys, Lord Henry, and David sense danger and rush to get to Dorian's home. During this time Dorian has been in his school room looking at his portrait. He thought that he saw a slight change in it by the sacrifice he made in deciding not to marry Gladys. This is the first time in the movie when you see emotion cross over Dorian's face.Dorian then takes the same knife that he killed Basil with and plunges it into the heart of his portrait. When it struck the heart of the portrait a strange thing happens. Dorian is dying and praying for forgiveness from God. As the lamp in the movie moves back and forth you see the portrait slowly restore itself to the one that Basil Hallward had painted, but Dorian is now dead. So the picture is now shown as it was originally done.Gladys, David, and Lord Henry then enter Dorian's school room to see a very old and grotesque looking individual. Lord Henry is even moved by how his advice had effected Dorian's life and behavior by saying, "Heaven help me"! Lord Henry definitely learned something from this tragedy.So there are two common myths in literature that The Picture of Dorian Gray explores. One is selling your soul for eternal youth. The other is the duality of man, good and evil in all men's souls.There is an irony about the movie though, because while it was speaking out against estheticism the movie is an exquisite work of art that brings the viewer pleasure.I encourage you to listen to the Special Feature of Commentary by Angela Lansbury and Historian Steve Haberman about the movie. I found it to be fascinating! You will get even more information on the history of the making of the movie and its actors. What is of particular interest is how this movie affected Hurd Hatfield and his future career. Angela talks a lot about this in her commentary, which was rather sad.

This is an iconic film inspired by the Oscar Wilde novel of the same title.This is by far the most intelligent and faithful movie production that honors the true spirit of Wilde's novel about one mans fall from grace; this is in itself a type of elaborate fable with a profound emphasis on the struggles of morality and conscience with an occult flavor.This is not to say that the plot is without fault as there are outdated and not so surprising cinematic traits that were typical of the day.The most glaring of these is the Sybil Vane character played by the inimitable Angela Lansbury; and the heavy handed and unnecessarily protracted time and effort devoted to the dilemma of her character and the seemingly never ending stagings of "Goodbye Little Yellow Bird" at the 2 Turtles Pubwhich I assume was located somewhere in London's East End, which was characterized by slums and abject poverty.That being said, it is not without a degree of merit as it offers a glimpse into the activities of an English "public house"; a type of pub for the common folk and highlights the entrenched attitudes of class differentiation and social segregation at the hight of Queen Victoria's reign.The ensuing plot is in itself a sort of gigantic mural or fresco rife with profound symbolism, sceneries and sharp witticisms; this was a work by Oscar Wilde after all, and one must expect the dialogue to be nothing less than razor sharp. Wilde was not only a brilliant writer and observer of life, but also a learned gentleman of the upper class and well schooled in the classics amongst other academic achievements.George Sanders as Lord Henry Wooton plays the part as a devils advocate brilliantly, while Lowell Gilmore gives a consummate portrayal of the portrait painter, Basil Hallward.This is a film where the viewer must pay close extremely attention to every blessed detail, especially in the pivotal scene when Hallward is completing Dorian's portrait. The artist's studio is a stage for introducing many critical elements; both visually and in conversation, that establish the profound importance of not only the portrait itself, but of implied consequences shadowing the ongoing dialogue, first between Hallward and Lord Henry and then a discussion between all three gentlemen, Gray, Wooton and Hallward that is deceptively superficial, yet filled with ominous overtones of things to come.I must reiterate that there is very little in this production that is to be taken for granted; even the number of an address or Lord Henry's invitation to a performance of Mozart's opera, Don Giovanni has meaning.The scene where Lord henry captures and sedates a butterfly is an obvious reference to an innocent soul being captured and destroyed by the devil.Perhaps it is unfortunate that many scenes are inundated with esoteric references such as the aforementioned, however they are crucial to the understanding of Dorian Gray's spiritual evolution, whether it be the change of his home's decorative elements from neoclassical to Asiatic Buddhist statuary or the implied visits to the most depraved establishments of the east end.Every other film that has came after this version has failed miserably and betrays the writer's and director's complete lack of respect and perhaps even any hint of understanding of Wilde's vision. Most, but not all, have focused mainly on the vulgarities of licentious indulgences and the preoccupation with vanity as elements suggested to to be the only reasons for spiritual catastrophe.A beautiful face and figure without the benefit of any discernible acting skills seem to be a requirement for most of these contemporary interpretations; and then there are the obligatory scenes of orgiastic, Bacchanalian revelries embellished with the most awful special effects.The intelligent viewer of the 1945 film will read the book, which is not an arduous undertaking and then do some research into some basic elements of western and asian esoteric philosophies; seriously, it will help a great dealKeep in mind that you are dealing with a literary masterpiece by Oscar Wilde; it would not hurt to have a somewhat comprehensive understanding of the times he lived in and of his own unique perspectives and approach to life that was often contrary to the established norms of the day; ultimately with tragic consequences.

Excellent movie one has to be careful what you ask for. Movies in Blk. & Wht. are so exceptional

I remember seeing this movie years ago on TV and remember it as a really great movie. It has a very interesting idea. It is used in conversations and many people say that they have a portrat of themselves that is their Dorian Gray so I decided to watch it again now that I am older. It is not as scary as I remember when I was young and saw it, but now I have more of a foundation when I hear people use it in conversation.

A great artistic interpretation of the novel transforming it into possibly the most elegant horror movie ever made.Full of subtext and symbolism, with a subtle hypnotic quality, the film explores the duality of man with all its tragedies.The bluray transfer is nice, the contrast levels are clear and sharp, and the audio features an entertaing behind the scenes commentary with Angela Lansbury.A very enjoyable watch, the bluray quality so much better than the TV versions I remember.I paired this with "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (1931) for a nice double feature.

Trueish to the book, dated effects, but worth the view if you're a Wilde fan.

Great old movie adaptation of a clever story by Oscar Wilde. At the passing of the Angela Lansbury, I decided to see if this early role in her legendary career existed anywhere. I was glad it was available, because I always considered it a bucket list movie I’d probably never find. The film stars Hurd Hatfield, Donna Reed, and a wonderfully satanic George Sanders. Lansbury’s role was small, but it was so fun seeing Mame/Jessica Fletcher/Mrs. Potts as a young floozy tavern singer! If you like old movies, this is a good one. Be sure to look for the couple of insertions of technicolor scenes in this black & white film from 1945.

Una excelente pieza para la colección, audio original mono subtítulos en español imagen muy bien comentarios del elenco (Ángela Lansbury) esta en blanco y negro con algunas escenas en color, es una adaptación de la novela de Oscar Wilde la recomiendo ampliamente, la entrega fue prefecta.

邦題『ドリアン・グレイの肖像』1886年のロンドン。若く美しい青年ドリアン・グレイ(ハード・ハットフィールド)は、友人の画家ホールワード(ローウェル・ギルモア)に肖像画を描いてもらう。本人の生き写しのような画に、グレイは満足し、その肖像のように永遠の若さと美を熱望した。皮肉屋の友人、ウォットン卿(ジョージ・サンダース)は、グレイに、エジプトの黒猫の像に永遠の若さと美を誓えば、それが叶うと教え…。オスカー・ワイルドの名作『 ドリアン・グレイの肖像 (新潮文庫) 』の映画化作品。サイレント時代にも、短編として何度か映画化されてきたが、本作が、トーキーとしては最初の作品。ハリー・ストラドリングの美しい白黒撮影が、アカデミー撮影賞を受賞。ウォットン卿は、当初、ベイジル・ラスボーンが有力視されていたが、同時期の『シャーロック・ホームズ』シリーズ出演で忙しく、サンダースが出演ということになった。『 ジェニーの肖像 [DVD ]』のように、テクニカラーのシーンが効果的に使われていることでも有名。イギリスが舞台の話(もちろんMGMの潤沢な予算による精緻なセット)ということもあるが、作品全体に漂うのは、ハリウッド作品というよりは、ヨーロッパ作品のようなしっとりと落ち着いた雰囲気と芳香。監督のリューイン、出演者のハットフィールド、ドナ・リードあたりが生粋のアメリカ人ということを除けば、出演陣の大半がイギリス人で占められているということ、そして、『 外人部隊 [DVD ]』や『 女だけの都 [DVD ]』を始め、ジャック・フェデーの諸作で撮影を担当してきたストラドリングが、繊細かつ流麗な撮影を担当しているということがその要因として大きいのだろう。ワイルドの唯美的で残酷なテーマを的確な画(気が配られた人物配置と構図、グレイの心の奥底に潜む闇を強調した照明、緩やかで微妙なキャメラ・ワーク)として表現して、ヨーロッパ作品のように豊潤な雰囲気で格調高く仕上げているのは、ストラドリングの功績だ(もちろん、そういった画にしようとしたリューインの演出意図が根本にあったのも忘れてはならない)。とにかく、全編通じての画面構成の美しさが忘れ難い。演技陣のアンサンブルも見事。タイトル・ロールのハットフィールドは、表情に乏しく、感情を激しく吐露するようなタイプではないが(その俳優としての不器用さが、その後、彼が主演として大成しなかった最大の理由だろう)、それが、グレイの高慢さや冷たく暗い残酷さを表現するのに適している。彼を取り巻く、ウォットン卿のサンダースも、彼自身の斜に構えた態度と冷めた皮肉屋のパーソナリティが、そのまま役に反映されているかのようで、ラスボーンの代打ということが信じられない素晴らしさだ。安演芸場の歌姫(原作では、シェークスピア女優)のウィンタースは、恋に対して免疫のない無垢で庶民的な女性を抑制の効いた演技で好演している。永遠の若さと美にとり憑かれ、悪徳の限りを尽くす男の辿る悲劇的恐怖譚を映像へと置き換えた、端正で絶妙な翻案作品と言えるだろう。本DVDは、DVDのために新たにテレシネ、レストアされたマスターを使用。キズもきれいに取り除かれ、黒の引き締まった良好な画質。音声も明瞭だ。特典には、アンジェラ・ランズベリーと映画史家スティーブ・ハバーマンのコメンタリー(ランズベリーの細かい記憶に脱帽！)、フランス革命時に、精神病院の環境改善に尽力した医師を描いた短編"Stairway to Light"(アカデミー短編賞受賞)、トムとジェリーのアニメ短編"Quiet Please!"(アカデミー短編アニメ賞受賞)、予告編が収録。英語字幕も収録。ケースは、この時期(2008〜2009年)のワーナーDVDで採用されていたエコ・ケース(若干、大きな穴が気になる)。本DVDは、北米盤ながら、R-All仕様(厳密には、1、2、3、4)なので、日本のR-2 プレーヤーで問題なく視聴可能。素晴らしい画質の本編に、豊富な特典ということで、文句なしの星5つ。 ドリアン・グレイの肖像 (新潮文庫)ジェニーの肖像 [DVD外人部隊 [DVD女だけの都 [DVD

Ein Klassiker, sollte man mal gesehen haben. Das Thema ist eigentlich heute doch noch aktuell. Damit meine ich die Selbstdarstellung der Menschen auf digitalen Foren. Mit all ihren Filtern. Das ist eine Gelegenheit zur Reflektion.

This is one of the best films I have ever seen, and, for Hollywood, it is surprisingly true to the spirit of Oscar Wilde's scary and wickedly witty novel. The sets and cinematography are outstanding, with stunning Edwardian furniture, ancient artefacts and a central stairway all adding to the sense of an underlying malevolent force at work on the central character, Dorian Gray, whose portrait ages over the years, while he stays young and fresh on the outside. Hurd Hatfield does a good job as the title character, but the real acting comes from Angela Lansbury (Murder She Wrote) and George Sanders. Lansbury makes the most of her smallish but pivotal role as music hall singer, who commits suicide as a result of Gray's treachery, and I'm not surprised that she won a Golden Globe award for her performance (she was also nominated for an Oscar, but sadly, lost out on that). George Sanders is also very convincing as the decadent Sir Harry who leads Gray along the path of debauchery and evil in a frighteningly casual and wicked way. The cinematography, however, in beautiful black and white, with three bursts of glorious Technicolor showing the portrait as it progress from a young and beautiful man, to an evil, twisted satyr, is the biggest star of all!NOTE: See also comment below.

Well done movie according to the great book.