Il dio chiamato Dorian

Much like other sexploitation films of this period, looking back on them can be quaint. They have plenty of nudity, but it's not as if they ever get into hardcore sex. This adaptation of Dorian Gray promises tons of sex and depravity, but its fairly chaste when all is said and done. What's most surprising about it is that it's not a half bad adaptation of the Oscar Wilde story from which it's based.

Helmut Berger plays Dorian Gray, an impossibly beautiful young man who falls for an actress named Sybil, but as he starts to make it way up through the London society crowd, he no longer has much use for Sybil and after he discards her, she kills herself. This leads Dorian to harden and only rely on his looks until people begin to get suspicious as to why he never seems to age after many years. Perhaps the secret involves a painting hidden away in his attic.

Despite adding in some sex and nudity to spice things up, this version of Dorian Gray plays out, more or less, like the original story. It might dwell in the sexual depravity a bit more than most adaptations, but at least it works for the story it's telling. It's a bit slow at times, but at least it's trying to tell a somewhat interesting story.

In the late 60's in London, the model Dorian Gray (Helmut Berger) meets the aspirant actress Sybil Vane (Marie Liljedahl) and they fall in love for each other. Meanwhile, his friend Basil Hallward (Richard Todd) concludes his painting, and Dorian Gray, fascinated with the picture, proposes the devil to exchange his soul per a permanent youth and beauty. From this moment on, the character and behavior of the former sweet Dorian changes and he becomes a corrupt and amoral man, sex driven and capable of destroying many lives inclusive Sibyl's. While his friends grow older, Dorian remains young never aging, but his painting discloses his innermost ugliness, fruit of his despicable social conduct.

"Dorian Gray" is a good contemporary adaptation of the famous Oscar Wilde's classic novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray", which I believe is one of the books most read, or at least known, worldwide. Everybody is familiarized with this dramatic and evil story. The handsome Helmut Berger fits perfectly to the role and I really liked this underrated movie. Massimo Dallamano's version is original, attractive and has a good international cast. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "O Retrato de Dorian Gray" ("The Picture of Dorian Gray")

Note: On 14 July 2022, I saw this film again.

Massimo Dallamano's film of Oscar Wilde's work places the story to the London of the 1960s. Even though many reviews obviously didn't like this and wrote rather negative about the film, I think the story works surprisingly well.

Helmut Berger is excellent and undeniably gorgeous as the (in the end tragic) title character, but also the other actors deliver their best. Especially Herbert Lom as Henry Wotton acts absolutely great, and most of the women are not only very pretty, but also deliver convincing performances.

All in all, "Dorian Gray" surely is the most unusual film version of the writing, it is rather drama than horror, but that's what Oscar Wilde's work is too, isn't it? I guess that Oscar Wilde would have liked this.

I was certain that no cinematic representation would do justice to the book. However, the clever idea of making a contemporary film made it interesting and original. Even the focus on Helmut Berger looks is not faulty, since this is the spirit of the book. Thankfully, all the girls were also very pretty. Although it's no masterpiece on its own right, Oscar Wilde would have liked it.

One of inspired versions of the novel by Oscar Wilde. For the fair portraits of Dorian, Harry and Basil, Richard Todd offering the perfect tones for his character. For the portrait itself and its last form of degradation. For the revelation of soul to Basil and scene of murder. For the hunting scenes and for the way to reflect his character proposed by Helmut Berger.

Not the last , for the images of sin and the more realistic and profound exploration of the relation with Sybill ( not the last, for wise solution of her last gesture ).

In short, provocative, no doubts, but well integrated in the frame of 1970 sexual revolution One of fundamental good points - the manner to craft his Henry Wotton of brilliant Herbert Lom.