The opening scene of “Oscar Wilde” takes place in 1892 at the opening night of “Lady Windermere’s Fan.” Oscar (Robert Morley), married to Constance (Phyllis Calvert), begins a relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas, also known as “Bosie” (John Neville). Bosie’s father, the Marquess of Queensberry (Edward Chapman), publicly accuses Wilde of being homosexual. Wilde sues him for libel, but the case backfires when evidence of Wilde’s relationships with men is exposed. Wilde is prosecuted, convicted of “gross indecency,” and imprisoned, leading to his social and financial ruin.
John Neville is far too old to play Lord Douglas. However, Robert Morley is excellent as Wilde. Delivering a stream of bon mots with ease, he also captures the tragedy of the man, particularly during the trial. The back-and-forth questioning by a superb Ralph Richardson, who plays Sir Robert Carson, Queensberry’s lawyer, is the film’s high point.
The word “homosexual” is never mentioned. Still, we do see the word “sodomite” that Queensberry writes on the calling card he leaves for Wilde at Wilde’s club for all to see (actually, he misspelled it “somdomite”). There is enough queer-coding that the nature of Wilde and Bosie’s relationship is never in doubt.
With Dennis Price as Robbie Ross, Oscar’s faithful friend and ex-lover and Alexander Knox as Wilde’s counsel Sir Edward Clarke, who realizes, mid-trial, that Wilde has not been forthcoming with him.
This was the final film directed by actor-director Gregory Ratoff, the man who directed Ingrid Bergman in her Hollywood debut, “Intermezzo.” He is most likely to be remembered for playing the part of impresario Max Fabian in the film “All About Eve.”
Adapted by Jo Eisinger (‘Gilda”) from the play “Oscar Wilde” by Leslie and Sewell Stokes
Cinematography: Georges Périnal
Vantage Films
TCF in the US
75 Queer Films Made Under the Hays Code 1934-1967 – TheBrownees
75 Queer Films from the New Hollywood (1968-1980). – TheBrownees
The Picture of Dorian Gray and Queer Cinema – TheBrownees
NOW STREAMING ON AMAZON PRIME VIDEO, APPLE TV+, YOUTUBE
