The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945)

Featured Audience Ratings

• First L

  
  Oscar Wilde's famous novel is brought to life in this pretty faithful adaptation by director/writer Albert Lewin. Some of the homosexual subtext has been toned down, and Dorian's spiraling descent into depravity is alluded to so vaguely that one could ascribe just about… More
  Oscar Wilde's famous novel is brought to life in this pretty faithful adaptation by director/writer Albert Lewin. Some of the homosexual subtext has been toned down, and Dorian's spiraling descent into depravity is alluded to so vaguely that one could ascribe just about anything to it. I wasn't a fan of the novel, mainly because I found the philosophies and witticisms to be meaningless. For example (and just to pull something off the top of my head), "it's the man who never thirsts whose cup is always full". I just made that up, it means nothing, yet could mean something if someone bothered to think about it. There is a character in the book spouting off such witticisms every third sentence, and it becomes grating after a while. Anyway, while the film was very keen on the superficial aspects of re-creating the story, I don't think it touched on the true heart of the novel, the fear of lost youth or the nihilistic approach to life that Dorian is led to by an evil mentor (all the more evil that he corrupts Dorian just for simple fun, rather than any ulterior motive). I suppose it's a lot to expect from 1940s hollywood. In any event, what we have here is a completely passable version of Dorian Gray.

• Tsubaki S

  
  A solid adaptation of the novel, a bit dated and slugish in it's pacing. Special mention to the fully colored painting the movie wisely uses as the only image of color, truly creepy stuff.

• AJ V

  
  An interesting story, it makes me want to read the book, to see if it's better than the movie.

• jay n

  
  Classy, chilling version of the famed story. George Saunders is a silky caddish delight. Both Angela Lansbury and Donna Reed are impossibly young and lovely. Angela is wonderful in a tragic role.

• Ken S

  
  Rockin film that is sadly not on DVD *cough?* torrent *cough cough* Stunning cinematography and delightful performances really bring this forgotten classic to life.

• Byron B

  
  Fairly stiff adaptation of the Oscar Wilde book. Lacks inventiveness in camera work. The first few times that we see the picture it is in color to highlight it in this predominately black and white film, but this is not a smooth effect. The swinging lantern causing shifting light and… More
  Fairly stiff adaptation of the Oscar Wilde book. Lacks inventiveness in camera work. The first few times that we see the picture it is in color to highlight it in this predominately black and white film, but this is not a smooth effect. The swinging lantern causing shifting light and shadows over Dorian in a final psychologically tormenting scene is the one exception of visual interest. I didn't find this novel of Wilde's as appealing as some of his plays. It went off on too many tangents to cover the various fleeting hobbies that occupy Dorian's long life as a young man. Of course a movie must eliminate a lot of such tangents to maintain a two hour run time, so I liked that aspect. Also the satire of 19th century British society wasn't as concise as it could have been in the book. I very quickly saw the lessons intended to be learned by Dorian's flaws, yet the story goes on and on. In the movie George Sanders embodies the Sophistic Lord Henry, but he speaks so quickly I couldn't follow every word. Hurd Hatfield, who was an unknown to me, was not what I imagined the boyish, good looking, and genteel, at least on the surface, Dorian would be. So the movie condenses the plot of the book, but they add a young girl who grows up over the time that Dorian appears not to age for another unnecessary romantic subplot. Angela Lansbury makes the character of Sybil a songbird instead of a Shakespearean actress adept at any romantic role. Dorian plays the piano, so they have a connection through music, but the "theme" song of their romance isn't particularly meaningful to the rest of the story and the end of Sybil isn't as climactic. A mediocre adaptation that doesn't really plumb the depths of Dorian Gray's evil.

• John M

  
  This is a pretty good rendering of Oscar Wilde's distinctive story of "The Picture of Dorian Gray", with generally good atmosphere. The entire cast is excellent; the direction fine; the sets, lighting, costuming and photography superlative. The score is brilliant,… More
  This is a pretty good rendering of Oscar Wilde's distinctive story of "The Picture of Dorian Gray", with generally good atmosphere. The entire cast is excellent; the direction fine; the sets, lighting, costuming and photography superlative. The score is brilliant, underscoring each action with a perfect balance of compositional originality and orchestrational beauty.

• Sunil J

  
  This movie was too long and was a little obvious what was happening for most of the movie.

• Marion R

  
  I really enjoyied this film. It's a great adaptation of Wilde's original work. I especially love the portrait at the end of the film.

• cody f

  
  A solid film with a great script and supurb acting. Great production with a loyal adaptation of the book that keeps you interested throughout. It also has George Sanders who always delivers.

• Timothy O

  
  It's a bit dated, and looks a bit empty, in a way, but so was Gray's life. It's actually a wonderful adaptation. Rent it.

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