Watch The Secret of Dorian Gray

The Secret of Dorian Gray is a 1970 film adaptation of the classic Oscar Wilde novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray. The movie stars Helmut Berger as the titular character, a hedonistic young man who makes a Faustian pact with a portrait painter to retain his youthful appearance and never grow old. Richard Todd plays the painter, Basil Hallward, while Herbert Lom portrays Lord Henry Wotton, the libertine who leads Dorian down a dangerous path towards moral decay.

The film opens with the introduction of Dorian Gray, a wealthy and handsome young man who has just inherited a considerable fortune from his grandfather. At a party, he is introduced to Basil Hallward, a painter who is immediately taken with Dorian's beauty and charisma. Over the course of several sittings, Basil creates a portrait of Dorian that captures his youth and vitality in a way that words cannot describe.

Lord Henry Wotton, a friend of Basil's, sees the portrait and becomes fascinated with Dorian, whom he sees as the embodiment of all his hedonistic principles. Lord Henry takes Dorian under his wing and teaches him to live life to the fullest, indulging in all of his desires and pleasures without consequence.

As time passes, Dorian begins to worry about growing old and losing his looks. He confides his fears to Lord Henry, who suggests that he make a pact with the devil to stay young forever. When Dorian dismisses the idea as foolish, Lord Henry reveals that he knows of a portrait painter who can bring Dorian's wish to reality.

Dorian meets the painter, a mysterious figure named Basil Hallward, who agrees to paint his portrait. During the sitting, Dorian makes a wish that he will remain young and beautiful forever, while the portrait will age and show the effects of his sins and depravities. To Dorian's surprise, the wish is granted, and he remains youthful while the portrait becomes increasingly grotesque.

As Dorian continues to succumb to his vices and indulge in increasingly depraved behavior, the portrait becomes more and more hideous, bearing witness to the depths of his corruption. Though Dorian tries to keep the portrait hidden away in his attic, it becomes a source of obsession for him, and he begins to fear that someone will discover his secret.

In the climactic scene, Dorian confronts his own conscience and tries to destroy the portrait, hoping to erase the evidence of his sins. However, in doing so, he ultimately leads himself to his own downfall, and the film ends with a dramatic and poignant twist.

The Secret of Dorian Gray is a classic tale of the dangers of indulging in one's desires without regard for morality or consequence. Helmut Berger gives a captivating performance as Dorian Gray, perfectly capturing the character's charisma, narcissism, and eventual descent into madness. Richard Todd and Herbert Lom are also excellent in their roles, bringing depth and complexity to the characters of Basil Hallward and Lord Henry Wotton, respectively.

The film's lush production design and cinematography create a sumptuous and opulent atmosphere that reflects the decadence of Dorian's world, while the haunting musical score adds a melancholic edge to the story.

Overall, The Secret of Dorian Gray is a must-see for fans of Oscar Wilde's novel and lovers of classic cinema. Its themes of obsession, vanity, and the corrupting influence of wealth and power are just as relevant today as they were when the book was first published in 1890.

The Secret of Dorian Gray is a 1970 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8.