The Trials of Oscar Wilde

PG

Released Jun 27, 1960

2h 3m

Drama

List

100%

Tomatometer

5 Reviews

48%

Audience Score

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.

Read More

Read Less

Kathy Fennessy

Video Librarian Magazine

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.

Rated: 3.5/5

Nov 15, 2022

Full Review

Michael Bronski

Gay Community News (Boston)

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.

Sep 22, 2022

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

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.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 14, 2022

Full Review

Dwight MacDonald

Esquire Magazine

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.

Jul 16, 2019

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Peter Finch gives a moving performance as Wilde.

Rated: B-

Aug 7, 2016

Full Review

Read all reviews

Audience Member

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.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

An excellent portrayal of Wilde by Peter Finch. The first court scene is superb with James Mason as the defending lawyer.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

good not real accurate though

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

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

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

The Carpetbaggers

33%

62%

The Carpetbaggers

The Go-Between

100%

78%

The Go-Between

East of Eden

86%

90%

East of Eden

The Fox

60%

45%

The Fox

Hotel

100%

43%

Hotel

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

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