Plot
The story of Oscar Wilde, genius, poet, playwright and the First Modern Man. The self-realization of his homosexuality caused Wilde enormous torment as he juggled marriage...
Release Year: 1997
Rating: 6.9/10 (7,117 voted)
Director:
Brian Gilbert
Stars: Stephen Fry, Jude Law, Vanessa Redgrave
Storyline The story of Oscar Wilde, genius, poet, playwright and the First Modern Man. The self-realization of his homosexuality caused Wilde enormous torment as he juggled marriage, fatherhood and responsibility with his obsessive love for Lord Alfred Douglas, nicknamed Bosie. After legal action instigated by Bosie's father, the enraged Marquise of Queensberry, Wilde refused to flee the country and was sentenced to two years at hard labor by the courts of an intolerant Victorian society.
Writers: Richard Ellmann, Julian Mitchell
Cast: Stephen Fry
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Oscar Wilde
Jude Law
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Lord Alfred 'Bosie' Douglas
Vanessa Redgrave
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Lady Speranza Wilde
Jennifer Ehle
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Constance Lloyd Wilde
Gemma Jones
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Lady Queensberry
Judy Parfitt
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Lady Mount-Temple
Michael Sheen
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Robbie Ross
Zoë Wanamaker
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Ada Leverson
Tom Wilkinson
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Marquess of Queensberry
Ioan Gruffudd
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John Gray
Matthew Mills
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Lionel Johnson
Jason Morell
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Ernest Dowson
Peter Barkworth
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Charles Gill
Robert Lang
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C.O. Humphreys
Philip Locke
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Judge
Taglines:
We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.
Filming Locations: Grip House Studios, Greenford, Middlesex, England, UK
Box Office Details
Budget: $10,000,000
(estimated)
Opening Weekend: $69,424
(USA)
(3 May 1998)
(7 Screens)
Gross: $2,157,701
(USA)
(8 November 1998)
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Did You Know?
Trivia:
Producer Marc Samuelson, despite acknowledging that Stephen Fry was the perfect choice to play Oscar Wilde, found it difficult to obtain financing due to Fry's lack of star power.
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible:
When Bosie enters Oscar's room in the country house, a picture to the left of the door reflects a studio light and later, when Bosie sits down, the boom.
Quotes: Constance Lloyd Wilde:
If I'd only spoken up... Robbie Ross:
It wouldn't have made any difference. Constance Lloyd Wilde:
Perhaps not. But at least I wouldn't blame myself now.
User Review
The noblest form of love
Rating: 8/10
I saw this film for the first time over the weekend, drawn to it I'm
ashamed to say for the fact that it contained Orlando Bloom's debut
appearance, all one line of it. I was pleasantly surprised to discover
Jude Law as Lord Alfred 'Bosie' Douglas as well, making this film
highly appealing to the voyeurs of the world. However distracting these
heavenly creatures are though, they do become quite rightly
overshadowed by Stephen Fry in a role that could not be more perfect
for him if it were based on fiction rather than fact.
I have been a fan of Oscar Wilde for some time, and this film gave
amazingly accurate insight into the life of a great Irish literary.
Indeed, many a speech by Stephen Fry has been quoted word for word from
the actual trial monologues, and the uncanny resemblance of Fry to
Wilde himself is astounding.
'Wilde' proved to be entertaining and beautiful, maintaining the
historical biopic status is revels in, but never drawing away from the
fact that this story is of real people and real events.
So much can be gained by observing the prejudices of the past, and such
sadness realized from knowing the suffering of those who were not meant
for their time.
'Wilde' deserves credit in all aspects from accuracy to acting,
direction and scene, it is a beautiful film and a credit not only the
cast and crew, but to Oscar Wilde himself.
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