Oscar Wilde
Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde (October 16, 1854 - November 30, 1900) was an Irish playwright, novelist, poet, short story writer and Freemason. Known for his barbed and clever wit, he was one of the most successful playwrights of late Victorian London, and one of the greatest celebrities of his day. Homosexuality was still against the law in England (and in fact would remain so until 1967) and Wilde was arrested for 'gross indecency' and sentenced to two years hard labour in 1895. He never fully recovered from this and would die penniless three years after his release.
"Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination." - Oscar Wilde
Wilde (1997)
6.9/10
Director: Brian Gilbert
Starring: Stephen Fry, Jude Law, Vanessa Redgrave, Jennifer Ehle, Tom Wilkinson
This biographical tale of Oscar Wilde, poet, playwright and genius, chronicles his fascinating life during the years 1882 until 1897. The self-realisa... Read more
The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)
6.9/10
Director: Oliver Parker
Starring: Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Judi Dench, Reese Witherspoon, Tom Wilkinson, Franc...
Sublime reworking of Oscar Wilde's timeless comedy from director Oliver Parker ('An Ideal Husband') features flashbacks and fantasy sequences to enhan... Read more
A Good Woman (2004)
6.5/10
Director: Mike Barker
Starring: Helen Hunt, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Wilkinson, Stephen Campbell Moore, Mark Umbe...
One of Oscar Wilde's most popular plays, 'Lady Windermere's Fan', is moved to '30s New York. Helen Hunt is Mrs Erlynne, the widow living comfortably o... Read more
An Ideal Husband (1999)
6.9/10
Director: Oliver Parker
Starring: Rupert Everett, Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore
Devoted womaniser and partygoer Arthur Goring (Rupert Everett) is famed for his elegance, repartee and refusal to take anything seriously. When called... Read more
The Importance Of Being Earnest (1952)
7.6/10
Director: Anthony Asquith
Starring: Michael Redgrave, Richard Wattis, Michael Denison
Oscar Wilde's play took over 57 years to reach the big screen but it was worth the wait. A colourful theatrical film about mating rituals in Great Bri... Read more
Dorian Gray (2009)
6.3/10
Director: Oliver Parker
Starring: Ben Chaplin, Caroline Goodall, Colin Firth, Fiona Shaw, Rebecca Hall, Ben Barnes...
Young Dorian Gray (Ben Barnes) arrives fresh on the London social scene and is taken under the wing of corrupt, devilish Lord Henry Wotton (Colin Firt... Read more
Oscar Wilde Vol 2: An Ideal Husband (1969) / Lady Windemere's Fan (1985)
Director: Rudolph Cartier, Tony Smith
Starring: Margaret Leighton, Keith Michell, Jeremy Brett, Dinah Sheridan, Susan Hampshire,...
Volume 2 of the BBC's Oscar Wilde adaptations includes the comedies 'An Ideal Husband' (1969) with Margaret Leighton and Keith Michell; and 'Lady Wind... Read more
The Picture of Dorian Gray (1973)
6.6/10
Director: Glenn Jordan
Starring: Nigel Davenport, Shane Briant, Charles Aidman, Fionnula Flanagan
Can the gift of eternal youth and beauty be a curse? It is in this made-for-TV rendition of the Oscar Wilde shocker. Shane Briant plays the debauched... Read more
The Picture Of Dorian Gray (1945)
7.6/10
Director: Albert Lewin
Starring: Hurd Hatfield, Donna Reed, George Sanders, Angela Lansbury, Peter Lawford
Oscar Wilde's bitingly satirical novel, first published in 1891, was faithfully adapted to the big screen with Hurd Hatfiled as the conceited Dorian a... Read more
Oscar Wilde Vol 1: The Picture of Dorian Gray (1976) / The Importance of Being Earnest (1988)
Director: John Gorrie, Stuart Burge
Starring: Rupert Frazer, Gemma Jones, Alec McCowen, Paul McGann, Natalie Ogle, Joan Plowri...
Acclaimed BBC adaptations of two of Oscar Wilde's most esteemed works. Lovingly restored, these plays feature a who's who of great actors of the Briti... Read more