Dorian Gray (1970)

A corrupt young man somehow keeps his youthful beauty eternally, but a special painting gradually reveals his inner ugliness to all.

Director:

Massimo Dallamano

Writers:

Marcello Coscia, Massimo Dallamano

Stars:

Helmut Berger, Richard Todd, Herbert Lom

Cast

Cast overview:
Helmut Berger	...	Dorian Gray
Richard Todd	...	Basil Hallward
Herbert Lom	...	Henry Wotton
Marie Liljedahl	...	Sybil Vane
Margaret Lee	...	Gwendolyn
Maria Rohm	...	Alice Campbell
Beryl Cunningham	...	Adrienne
Isa Miranda	...	Mrs. Ruxton
Eleonora Rossi Drago	...	Esther Clouston
Renato Romano	...	Alan
Stewart Black	...	James Vane

Storyline

In contemporary London, a beautiful and rich young man, Dorian Gray, loves Sybil Vane, an aspiring actress; thanks to her, he's momentarily less self-centered. He's also sitting for a portrait painted by his friend, Basil Hallward; when it's done, Dorian complains he will grow old while the painting stays unchanged. On the same night, he slaps Sybil and sends her away, then accepts the seductive offer of a party's hostess to sleep with her. The next day, the painting looks slightly older as he becomes corrupt and amoral, capable of destroying many lives inclusive Sybil's. In horror and fascination, Dorian hides away the portrait and continues a life of degradation. Over time, as the portrait becomes hideous, he's unchanged by debauched life; finally, he and Basil face the painting.

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Plot Keywords:

dorian gray | reference to dorian gray | reference to the picture of dorian gray | reference to the picture of dorian gray the novel | oscar wilde | 

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Taglines:

He is twenty-one. He has been twenty-one for almost a half a century.

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Genres:

Horror | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK Italy West Germany

Language:

Italian English

Release Date:

17 August 1970 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Dorian Gray

Filming Locations:

Old Bond Street, Mayfair, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sargon Film, Terra-Filmkunst, Towers of London

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min (cut)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Italian censorship visa # 56499 delivered on 4-8-1970.

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Connections

Version of BBC Play of the Month: The Picture of Dorian Gray (1976)

User Reviews

Do I make you horny, baby?

Somewhere between EEK! and chic, this swinging London version of Dorian Gray, made in 1969 and starring the very handsome Helmet Berger (two slices of bread and a motorbike) is one of the great new century cinema fiasco movies. You will really love this gloriously awful film in all it's orange and white arty farty glory. Richard Todd paints the picture of the story and hairy Herbert Lom ponces about (even under the shower in one scream inducing shot) as a gay fwend.... with various unknown actresses with twee names like Sybil and Gwendoline all of whom get shafted and then tossed off. Imagine an Austin Powers remake today? Well this is the real thing except for the startling beauty of a well cast Helmet (so to speak). DORIAN GRAY 1970 is a fantastic experience for your friends to get slightly tipsy and watch together. My favorite bit is the shag in the field where the camera pans to show Mr Berger's bum with a massive bug sitting on it. Other hilarious moments show Dorian cruising the marina for a tug, some old dame at the races getting serviced in a stable and gasping for astonished air, and of course the horrible painting that looks like a green and purple vomit with eyes. Warm up the cheap champagne, prep the DVD player, call the friends over, serve cheese and pineapple chunks and whack on DORIAN GRAY. Your friends will never forgive or forget.