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The Trials of Oscar Wilde

Play trailer Poster for The Trials of Oscar Wilde PG 1960 2h 3m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 5 Reviews 52% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Renowned for his flamboyant and witty persona, Irish writer Oscar Wilde (Peter Finch) clashes in court with the powerful Marquess of Queensberry (Lionel Jeffries), the father of his young lover, Lord Alfred Douglas (John Fraser). While Wilde instigates a libel case, the hearing results in the playwright's own trial and prosecution for gross indecency and sodomy. Wilde's subsequent prison stint leads to a tragic decline for the revered literary figure.

Critics Reviews

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Kathy Fennessy Video Librarian Magazine 11/15/2022
3.5/5
If coy by today's standards, it's a fair accounting of Oscar Wilde's life from 1895-1897, and [Peter] Finch's performance deserves to be remembered alongside his acclaimed turns in [John Schlesinger's] Sunday Bloody Sunday and Sidney Lumet's Network. Go to Full Review Michael Bronski Gay Community News (Boston) 09/22/2022
It is not the world’s best movie — at times it looks quite dated — but right now, for your money, it’s the best gay movie around. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 08/14/2022
3/4
Just as 1992 saw two competing Christopher Columbus yarns, 1965 witnessed two dueling Jean Harlow biopics, and a 10-month stretch in 1939-1940 produced two battling Abraham Lincoln tales, 1960 showcased a grudge match between two dramas about Oscar Wilde. Go to Full Review Dwight MacDonald Esquire Magazine 07/16/2019
Here, for once, I think color is a plus, because of the loving detail with which [The Trials of Oscar Wilde] reproduces those late Victorian interiors. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 08/07/2016
B-
Peter Finch gives a moving performance as Wilde. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ishara L 09/24/2024 Movie #1530 130 years ago is not that long ago. It breaks my heart this man had to go through what he had to go through. He was ahead of his time. See more @MilloTPue 04/24/2022 The movie tries to describe with quirurchical precision these terrible moments of the life of Oscar Wilde, but the atmosphere does not catch what it surely meant. See more 01/24/2015 A good film with some good performances. Peter Finch is a very capable Wilde. A look back at how a mans life and career could be completely destroyed because of his sexuality. See more 06/10/2011 I Love Oscar Wilde & his Works, so I loved this, & every Movie &/or Docudrama About Him & what his History meant to Society in terms of his Poetry & Plays that are still Valid today, but How His Trial for Immorality & Sodomy affected & affects, the efforts of the Gay Community not to Allow Unreasonable Laws Restrict Who, or How they Love See more 07/17/2010 An excellent portrayal of Wilde by Peter Finch. The first court scene is superb with James Mason as the defending lawyer. See more 03/30/2010 Must have caused a bit of a stir in 1960. This is not a bad film with some lovely scenes towards the beginning. Once it moves into the courtroom it comes to a grinding halt apart from a lively performance by James Mason. The summing up becomes preachy and heavy going. It does painfully show Wilde sealing his own fate. See more Read all reviews
The Trials of Oscar Wilde

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Cast & Crew

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Ken Hughes

Director

Peter Finch

Oscar Wilde

Yvonne Mitchell

Constance Wilde

James Mason

Sir Edward Carson

John Fraser

Lord Alfred Douglas

Lionel Jeffries

John Sholto Douglas, Marquis of Queensberry

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The Trials of Oscar Wilde

The Trials of Oscar Wilde (1960) The Trials of Oscar Wilde (1960) The Trials of Oscar Wilde (1960) The Trials of Oscar Wilde (1960) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Renowned for his flamboyant and witty persona, Irish writer Oscar Wilde (Peter Finch) clashes in court with the powerful Marquess of Queensberry (Lionel Jeffries), the father of his young lover, Lord Alfred Douglas (John Fraser). While Wilde instigates a libel case, the hearing results in the playwright's own trial and prosecution for gross indecency and sodomy. Wilde's subsequent prison stint leads to a tragic decline for the revered literary figure.
Director
Ken Hughes
Production Co
Warwick Film Productions
Rating
PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 27, 1960, Limited
Runtime
2h 3m