Kattiera Nana I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Cortechba Overrated

PodBill Just what I expected

Raymond Sierra The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

Coventry Oscar Wilde's novel was one of the most convoluted but simultaneously fascinating and original stories I ever read, and it immediately made me suspect that a good or even half-decent film adaptation simply wouldn't be possible. But here we have a genuine Hollywood rarity; - namely a film version that is both respectful and doing justice to the source material! After having seen this 1945 version, directed by the extremely underrated director Albert Lewin, I don't think I can ever watch any of the numerous film versions that were released since. They just cannot be as good, period. Admittedly you must be in specific sort of mood to watch a film like this. "The Picture of Dorian Gray" is slow-paced, patiently taking its time to introduce the lead characters and even additionally clarifying the events via a stern voiceover. There's hardly any action or excitement, but it thrives for 200% on unsettling atmosphere and sublime performances of the stellar cast members whom almost literally melt together with their characters. The plot is an intelligent variation on the Faust theme. As soon as his close friend Basil finished his impressive portrait, young aristocrat Dorian Gray openly wishes to exchange his soul for eternal youth and power. Wouldn't it be wonderful if, instead of himself, his portrait would carry the consequences of Dorian's natural aging process and his lush escapades? This simply but highly efficient concept is brilliantly elaborated over a span of twenty years, with Dorian Gray slowly but surely descending deeper into corruption. Lewin also creates a magnificent Victorian atmosphere, with lavish turn-of-the-century decors and beautiful cinematography. Hurd Hatfield is fantastic as Gray; a stylish and sophisticated devil in disguise. Angela Lansbury and Donna Reed are breathtaking beauties with great acting talents, but the show is unmistakably stolen once more by George Sanders. Even though his role as Lordy Henry is, strictly seen, quite irrelevant, Sanders nevertheless draws all the attention to him. Sanders truly was one of the greatest and most fascinating, but sadly underrated, actors in history.

TheLittleSongbird Like 'The Importance of Being Earnest', Oscar Wilde's only novel 'The Picture of Dorian Grey' is one of his most famous works for very good reason. It is philosophical essentially in nature, but also very chilling, dripping in atmosphere and full of Wilde's sparkling wit.This 1945 film adaptation had so much going for it, with the involvement of great actors like George Sanders and Angela Lansbury for one thing. 72 years on, it's still one of the best overall versions of 'The Picture of Dorian Grey' there is/. Surprisingly, for film adaptations of classic literature made in the "classic era" it's pretty faithful, but 'The Picture of Dorian Grey' (1945) is actually even more successful on its own terms.It may not be flawless, but it comes close. Donna Reed's character feels very tacked on and Reed, despite looking radiant, looks, sounds and acts out of place. Peter Lawford, in an admittedly limited role, spends his entire screen time looking bewildered and like he had little idea what to do with what he had.Don't on the other hand let the pacing put you off. It is deliberate and measured, but to me it was never dull or too slow. The atmosphere, the performances and Wilde's dialogue were instrumental in making the film compelling and they shine brilliantly.Visually, 'The Picture of Dorian Grey' (1945) is notably striking. As elegant as the costumes are, how classy and moodily atmospheric the lighting is and how sumptuous the Gothic set design is, it's the outstanding cinematography (that enhances everything so much) that's the star. The music score is resolutely haunting, also with inspired use of Beethoven, Mozart and Chopin, and the direction has immense sophisticated style.Wilde's writing shines firmly to the fore as one would expect, some great lines that have full impact. Even with more measured pacing, the storytelling is rich in chilling atmosphere and class with the impact of the portrait having a truly startling effect.All the acting is very strong and one of 'The Picture of Dorian Grey's' best elements. Sanders has the best lines (classic Wilde witticisms and cynical but witty observations) and the most interesting character (like a human Mephistopheles Oscar Wilde-style), and Sanders' performance is very like his Oscar-winning performance in 'All About Eve' five years later, a once in a lifetime role that he was born to play and it is difficult to imagine anybody else deliver those lines the way Sanders did so effortlessly. Lansbury is both chirpy and touching, plus she has rarely looked so young or more beautiful, her rendition of "Good Bye Little Yellow Bird" wrenches the heart also.Hurd Hartfield's muted performance may be unimpressive or controversial, and it is easy to overlook him in favour of the juicier supporting roles. To me though, the mute inexpressive quality of his acting added quite vastly to the deceptively chilling nature of the role itself. Lowell Gilmore also stands out.Overall, a near classic and one of the better film adaptations of Wilde's work, if one is looking for elegance, atmosphere and great production values, writing and performances look no further. 9/10 Bethany Cox

gavin6942 A corrupt young man (Hurd Hatfield) somehow keeps his youthful beauty, but a special painting gradually reveals his inner ugliness to all.As with all classic literature, numerous version of the Dorian Gray story exist. And also like classic literature, the best versions seem to have arrived early on. Much like David Lean's versions of Dickens, this 1945 version of Dorian Gray could probably never be equaled. It just has the look about it that only films of the day could have.Quite interestingly, the lead is played by Hurd Hatfield, whom I had never heard of before. One of the stars is Angela Lansbury, who in hindsight is probably the biggest name associated with the film. We are blessed that she offered her thoughts to an audio commentary.

fbeicker Based on the novel by Oscar Wilde, "The Picture of Dorian Gray" tells the story of a handsome young man corrupted by the opinions of an eloquent elderly gentleman (brilliantly played by George Sanders), who induces the former into seeking only pleasure in life. To achieve this purpose, the young man sells his soul through some sort of black magic, in order to remain youthful his whole life. Contrarily to his face as seen by the aging people around him, Dorian's hidden painted picture instead becomes rotten, dreadful and horrid, changing every time his soul descends more and more into darkness. The source of his misery is never revealed, but some crimes on the way are. Eventually, Dorian becomes sick of his world of lies and deceit, and stabs his portrait, actually stabbing his own chest, later being found dead and disfigured by the evilness of his deeds.Classic books are extremely hard to adapt into movies or television series. Filmmakers must thus avoid many common mistakes. One of the major mistakes is reducing the complexity of the plot. That is not the case of this film, whose screenplay could wittily uphold the lyricism of the book. There are some wonderful dialogs, where the style of Oscar Wilde was preserved, showing the audience how literature and movies share similar possibilities of artistic expressions.Oscar Wilde is one of the few writers who enjoy a well-deserved reputation for mastering the art of putting into words the misery of the soul. Deprived from the personal freedom required to develop even the most recondite corner of his spirit, the Englishwriter suffered from the moralism that pervaded in Britain during the Victorian era. Of course, a modern reader should not replicate at that time the contemporary way of approaching morals. The evolution of social values and behavioral patterns is a complex and long-lasting process. Sexual tolerance, for instance, could only be achieved in the Western world after a pile of many other prejudices was demolished, and occasionally demanded bloodshed of those who later became martyrs of the cause.Literature, however, does not consist of simply writing about themes the author cherishes himself. It also comprises the technique, that is, the method of exposing a particular point of view. Wilde had definitely a sensitive soul, which he managed to translate into beautifully accomplished passages of the book. The story of Dorian Gray–obviously one of Wilde's alter egos–has a relatively linear plot. In spite of that, literary historians still dispute, amid bafflement, over the reasons underlying the enormous success of the book when it was first published.According to the most supported stance, in addition to the controversy over the background theme of the book, Wilde's masterpiece reached stardom for its prose displays an incredible lyricism–a trait more usually found in poetry. Since it was written in form of prose, this lyricism emerges most sharply from the metaphors chosen to express the dramatic situation of Mr. Gray and the symbolism of objects surrounding the characters: the picture itself, obscure poems, and the sculpture of a cat, along with other artistic pieces–the latter were imported from the overseas colonies as elements of orientalism, some sort of philosophy that became a trend during the age of imperial England.Although it was to the knowledge of everybody, the theme of homosexuality remains implied both in the book and in the film. On the one hand, the audience is offered just hints of what secrets Dorian Gray might have with other characters–clearly lovers in disguise. On the other hand, since the subject is not overtly discussed, readers and viewers may find Dorian's reaction to the moralism of his society dubious. Thus, the story sends us mixed messages about his thesis: either homosexuality, as correctly condemned by society and religion, is something spurious and shameful, no wonder why it is the doorway that leads our character into committing atrocities–such as homicide and blackmail; or moral judgment of society is solely responsible for the isolation and transformation of Dorian(and his picture) into a monster, and not his feelings and inclinations.