The Trials of Oscar Wilde

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The Trials of Oscar Wilde

PG

Released Jun 27, 1960

2h 3m

Drama

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5 Reviews

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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.

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

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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

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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

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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

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Peter Finch gives a moving performance as Wilde.

Rated: B-

Aug 7, 2016

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Ishara L

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.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/24/24

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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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