Picture of Dorian Gray (1945) | George Sanders, Hurd Hatfield

Picture of Dorian Gray (1945) | George Sanders, Hurd Hatfield | Highly recommended

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Picture of Dorian ...

	Picture of Dorian Gray (1945) George Sanders, Hurd Hatfield MGM (Warner), 1998 average customer review:based on 65 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

These nip/tuck, Botoxed times would seem to be ripe for a remake of Oscar Wilde's ageless story of youth-worshiping aristocrat Dorian Gray. Until then, we have this 1945 prestige production starring Hurd Hatfield as Dorian, who, under the influence of the incorrigible Lord Henry Wotton, vows to live only for pleasure and to give in to all "exquisite temptations." While he sinks into a vile life of decadence and corruption, he remains young, while his painted portrait becomes "an emblem of his own conscience," growing more hideous as Gray becomes more monstrous. Angela Lansbury was nominated for an Academy Award for her heartbreaking performance as innocent singer Sibyl Vane, the first victim of Gray's callousness. George Sanders is at his contemptuous best as the cynical Lord Wotton, wringing every drip of disdain out of such Wilde-isms as, "I always choose my friends for their good lucks and my enemies for their good intellects." This pristine transfer does full justice to the film's Oscar-winning black and white cinematography (with vivid Technicolor inserts of the mesmerizing painting). With entertaining extras that replicate an old fashioned night at the movies, including a trailer and two Oscar-winning shorts, the Tom & Jerry cartoon, "Quiet Please" and "Stairway to Light," and affectionate, detailed, and illuminating commentary by Lansbury and film historian and screenwriter Steve Haberman, this DVD is suitable for framing. --Donald Liebenson

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An excellent movie

The movie was excellent, the delivery was actually ahead of expected time. Class will show.....keep up the good work. The only thing stopping me from buying more is the exchange rate.

Cheers!

Highly recommended

This film is clearly a bit slow paced for today's standards. However, it provides today's viewers with an almost perfect script, acting, and story. This is one of those rare (very rare indeed) films in which you will be subjected to a deep philosophical discussion about what is good or bad under human standards, while simultaneously it will be absolutely enjoyable. Very nice to watch a young and nice looking Angela Lansbury, subsequently the star of "Murder, She Wrote". Very good image and sound in this DVD transfer from analog materials. English, French and Spanish subtitles are provided.

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Captures the book's feel wonderfully

This is an excellent movie. A little gem, quite unknown to me until today, just like the director himself. Directed without any fireworks, just plain and modest narrative genius. Wonderful interpretations from everybody. A delight just to watch the characters interact, and listen to them, regardless of the story itself.

The film is beautiful, and thanks God it long, not like most of this time films that as soon as you are starting to like them it's already ending. Great cast. A moralistic story, a lot of food for thought. Beautiful black and white, beautiful score with small pieces by Chopin and Beethoven. A delight. George Sanders amazed me in his role as an amicable cynic. It just suits him as a glove.

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The Picture of Dorian Gray

Actors are wonderful, but wish more attention had been given to Dorian's evil deeds. Also the painting could have been more realistic showing his demise instead of almost cartoon-like. I think he could have looked a lot more scary and evil.

Outstanding film !

I buy this Dvd because I remembered watching bits of this film many years ago during my childhood and I must say I was greatly surprised with the quality of the film , the magnificent performances (George Sanders shines) and the amazing script which reflects the essence of Oscar Wilde's celebrated novel. I highly recommend this dvd.

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