OSCAR WILDE'S THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY (TV)
Summary
This made-for-television drama film is an adaptation of Oscar Wilde's 1891 Gothic novel about a young man's desperation to cling to his youth and beauty.
The program begins in 1891 London as the rich and idle Sir Harry Wotton visits his good-natured friend Basil Hallward, who is hard at work on a portrait of a young man, a task he describes as "painting his own soul." Harry seeks to meet the painting's "charming, brainless" subject, Dorian Gray, though Basil fears that Harry will have an "evil influence" on his young friend. Harry, however, is dismissive, suggesting that one should always yield to temptation rather than "strangling" natural impulses. Little Beatrice, Basil's orphaned niece, playfully declares that she will someday marry Dorian. When Basil completes the attractive portrait, Dorian muses that he would "give his soul" if the painting could somehow age in his place, leaving him young and handsome forever.
Dorian begins spending more time with the hedonistic Harry – in society both high and low – and he soon begins a romance with a barmaid, Sybil Vane. Basil is shocked by the class difference, though Harry dismisses the affair as a mere lustful tryst. He bluntly questions Dorian about his lack of intimate relations with her, assuring him that he will lose interest in her as soon as she gives in to his advances. Dorian, though believing their love to be pure, tests Harry's theory and asks her to spend the night with him, and she hesitantly agrees. Harry is proved correct over the following weeks as Dorian pulls away from Sybil, ignoring her many letters and visits, and Basil guesses that his behavior is a result of Harry's influence. Sybil visits and delivers one final letter, and Dorian grows frustrated that she is "forcing him to hate her" by not accepting the conclusion of their dalliance. He then notices that Basil's portrait of him seems slightly "different," and he decides to meet with Sybil on the following day to resolve their breakup respectfully.
In the morning, however, Harry reveals that Sybil has drowned, and Dorian instantly realizes that she committed the act intentionally because of his rejection. Harry assures him that he cannot truly be blamed for her death, but when Dorian again inspects the painting, he sees that its appearance has grown more unpleasant and realizes that his rash wish has somehow come true; the portrait will "show" his future sins. Vowing never to look upon the painting again, he embraces "true freedom" and spends two years indulging in his basest desires, eventually firing his loyal servants to avoid any of them noticing the painting's changes. Basil, soon to depart for Paris, visits and questions Dorian on the grotesque rumors circulating about his louche behavior, fearful that he is irreparably damaging his reputation. Dorian coldly invites him to "see his soul" and shows him the now significantly degraded portrait. Horrified, Basil declares him a monster, but Dorian rages that Basil is to blame for creating the painting in the first place. Dorian impulsively bludgeons Basil to death with a candlestick.
By 1911, Dorian's appearance remains unchanged, and Harry reveals that the now adult Beatrice has returned to London, having inherited the fortune of her mysteriously vanished Uncle Basil. Alarmed, Dorian refuses to see her and retreats to an opium den, where he rescues a chemist friend, Alan Campbell, from an overdose. Dorian is then suddenly attacked by James Vane, Sybil's vengeful older brother, but Dorian declares that he is clearly too young to have known her 18 years previously. James apologizes for his error. A woman from the den, however, tells James about the amoral and strangely young-looking man. Dorian later encounters Beatrice at the home of Lady Narborough; struck by his appearance, Beatrice jokes that she has released him from their "engagement." Harry, naturally, urges Dorian to pursue an affair with the now-wealthy young woman, though Dorian frets that she would "change him." Beatrice, however, assures Dorian that she does not believe any of the salacious rumors about him and cares only for their future. Dorian then reconsiders his feelings.
James finds Dorian again and, guessing that Beatrice does not know about all his foul deeds, demands a payment of 1,000 pounds within a week's time for his silence. Panicked, Dorian officially proposes to Beatrice and suggests leaving London for good, to which she readily agrees. He resolves to close up his house and seal the room containing the painting, deciding to pay James in small installments. However, Dorian ends up murdering his blackmailer when James sneaks into the house and nearly catches sight of the fateful portrait. Dorian summons Alan and calmly forces him to use his scientific skills to decompose James' body. He soon marries Beatrice in an elegant ceremony, then informs Harry that he now intends to live a "decent life." Harry, suspecting that Dorian has married Beatrice primarily for her fortune, praises Dorian's gift for remaining "flawless" despite his many wicked deeds.
Dorian prepares to leave England for good with his new bride, but he then wonders if his "noble" act of marrying Beatrice may have slightly repaired his soul – and thereby the painting. Upon inspecting it, however, he finds the portrait more grotesquely transformed than ever, implying that he is incapable of truly loving Beatrice or anyone else. Enraged, Dorian attempts to destroy the painting with a knife. Beatrice, subsequently hearing screams from the attic, is horrified to discover Dorian's desiccated corpse -- identified only by Dorian's omnipresent ring -- lying beneath the portrait. As a final irony, the portrait is now restored, once again showing Dorian's youthful beauty. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: 11:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:50:46
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 133582
- GENRE: Drama, mystery/suspense
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, mystery/suspense; Drama, fantasy/science fiction; Literature - Adaptations; Morality
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV, 1973
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Dan Curtis … Producer
- Tim Steele … Associate Producer
- Glenn Jordan … Director
- John Tomerlin … Writer
- Oscar Wilde … Based on the novel by
- Robert Cobert … Music by
- Shane Briant … Cast, Dorian Gray
- Nigel Davenport … Cast, Sir Harry Wotton
- Charles Aidman … Cast, Basil Hallward
- Fionnuala Flanagan See also: Fionnula Flanagan … Cast, Felicia
- Linda Kelsey … Cast, Beatrice Hallward
- Vanessa Howard … Cast, Sybil Vane
- John Karlen … Cast, Alan Campbell
- Tom McCorry … Cast, James Vane
- Dixie Marquis … Cast, Madame de Ferrol
- Brendan Dillon … Cast, Victor
- William Beckley … Cast, Syme
- Hedley Mattingly … Cast, Parker
- Kim Richards … Cast, Young Beatrice
- Diana Wyatt … Cast, Lady Narborough
- Patricia Tidy … Cast, Charwoman
- Ben Wrigley … Cast, Driver