I don't always have high hopes for older British films, but once in a while along comes a gem that surprises me, and this was one. It's quite an absorbing telling of the trials (literally) and tribulations of Oscar Wilde that resulted in his imprisonment and death.
The only issue I have is whether or not the producers achieved their goals. Specifically, if they are trying to present a sympathetic portrayal of Wilde at this period of his life, and thus condemn his sentencing to prison, then I think they failed. Or perhaps they're just being accurate. One of the two is true, but my impression about Wilde from this film is mostly negative. Not because he was gay. But because he appeared to be insufferable. And that insufferability led to his own demise. A Another problem here is that Wilde appears to be pretty straight; I doubt that's the way it was.
But despite these shortcomings (if they are shortcomings), the production is an impressive one. Sets are locations are lush and well-filmed.
Peter Finch is excellent as Wilde, assuming you buy the premise of a rather straight Wilde. Yvonne Mitchell is very good as his wife. James Mason is around briefly as an opposing attorney. Nigel Patrick is excellent as one of Wilde's attorneys. Lionel Jeffries plays the abominable Marquis of Queensbury. John Fraser plays the gay young man whose father (Queensbury) sends Wilde to prison.
It would have been good had they provided a couple of interesting points at the close of the film. 1. Queensbury ended up dying before WIlde. 2. He apparently died from syphilis, ironic since he was so appalled by Wilde's sinfulness.
An interesting and well-produced version of Wilde's darkest period.
The only issue I have is whether or not the producers achieved their goals. Specifically, if they are trying to present a sympathetic portrayal of Wilde at this period of his life, and thus condemn his sentencing to prison, then I think they failed. Or perhaps they're just being accurate. One of the two is true, but my impression about Wilde from this film is mostly negative. Not because he was gay. But because he appeared to be insufferable. And that insufferability led to his own demise. A Another problem here is that Wilde appears to be pretty straight; I doubt that's the way it was.
But despite these shortcomings (if they are shortcomings), the production is an impressive one. Sets are locations are lush and well-filmed.
Peter Finch is excellent as Wilde, assuming you buy the premise of a rather straight Wilde. Yvonne Mitchell is very good as his wife. James Mason is around briefly as an opposing attorney. Nigel Patrick is excellent as one of Wilde's attorneys. Lionel Jeffries plays the abominable Marquis of Queensbury. John Fraser plays the gay young man whose father (Queensbury) sends Wilde to prison.
It would have been good had they provided a couple of interesting points at the close of the film. 1. Queensbury ended up dying before WIlde. 2. He apparently died from syphilis, ironic since he was so appalled by Wilde's sinfulness.
An interesting and well-produced version of Wilde's darkest period.