The Picture of Dorian Gray
The Picture of Dorian Gray

Movie spotlight

The Picture of Dorian Gray

1945
Movie
111 min
English

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

Insights

IMDb7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes90%
Director: Albert LewinGenres: Drama, Horror, Fantasy

Plot Summary

A beautiful young man, Dorian Gray, wishes for his portrait to age and bear the marks of sin while he remains eternally young and handsome. As Dorian descends into a life of hedonism and corruption, his wish is granted, and the portrait becomes a monstrous reflection of his decaying soul. The film explores the dark consequences of vanity and the corrupting influence of vice.

Critical Reception

The 1945 film adaptation of 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' was met with critical acclaim for its lush Technicolor visuals, atmospheric direction, and strong performances, particularly from Hurd Hatfield as the titular character. It is widely regarded as one of the most faithful and visually stunning adaptations of Oscar Wilde's novel.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its stunning cinematography and faithful adaptation.

  • Hurd Hatfield's chilling portrayal of Dorian Gray is a standout.

  • The film effectively captures the novel's themes of vanity and corruption.

Google audience: Audience reviews often highlight the film's enduring creepiness and the haunting performance of Hurd Hatfield, noting its success in translating Wilde's cautionary tale to the screen.

Awards & Accolades

Won an Academy Award for Best Cinematography (Black-and-White) for Harry Stradling Sr. Nominated for Best Interior Decoration.

Fun Fact

The painting of Dorian Gray was actually created in three stages by Ivan Albright: one representing Dorian's youthful beauty, a second showing his moral decay, and a third, more horrific version that was used for the final reveal.

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TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
John Chard

John Chard

It's only shallow people who require years to get rid of an emotion. The Picture of Dorian Gray is directed by Albert Lewin, and he also adapts the screenplay from the novel written by Oscar Wilde. It stars Hurd Hatfield, George Sanders,...

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