Product Details

• Actors: Helmut Berger, Richard Todd, Herbert Lom, Marie Liljedahl, Margaret Lee
• Directors: Massimo Dallamano
• Writers: Massimo Dallamano, Günter Ebert, Marcello Coscia, Oscar Wilde
• Producers: Harry Alan Towers, Samuel Z. Arkoff
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Republic Pictures
• VHS Release Date: January 1, 1998
• Run Time: 93 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6300208214
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #250,244 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

In this haunting, contemporary version of Oscar Wilde's famous story, international star Helmut Berger is Dorian Gray, the handsom young man whose narcissistic desire for eternal youth leads to a macabre tragedy. When a friend (Richard Todd) paints his portrait, Dorian is overwhelmed by his own beauty. He vows he would sell his soul to the devil if his portrait could age while he remain forever young. As he sinks into a life of depravity and sexual excesses, Dorian is horrified to discover that his wish has been granted. With every new sin, the portrait becomes more grotesque and distorted - though Dorian stays yound and beautiful.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Original take on the story; best adaptation I know, but....., May 10, 2000

By 

"zara_azari" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Secret of Dorian Gray [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I did not like this film very much, but I credit it for being the best adaption of Oscar Wilde's story so far... This film takes the story and places it in 70's with all of their vices (non-stop sex with coke and booze,etc.). Dorian Gray is still young and beautiful Enlgish aristocrat (so that has not changed). Helmut Berger seems to be the most suitable for this role, for he WAS VERY BEAUTIFUL, INDEED. The plot has changed a little...which did not spoil the story, either. But, I gave this film 3, instead of 4 or even 5, because despite a basically good script, a wonderful cast, and a very original idea, this film neither captured the depth of Wilde's story nor provided viewers with much entertaiment. While being a very beautiful Dorian Gray, Helmut Berger is also the dullest one, and that brings the film down. Basically, this film is a well-thought idea (placing the story in 70's), executed very badly by the filmmakers.

6 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars If you like Helmut Berger, it's for you..., July 2, 2000

By 

Anna Shlimovich (Boston, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dorian Gray [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The only reason to watch this movie is to enjoy the looks of Helmut Berger. He's 26 years old at the time, and after seeing him in many Visconti's films, it's interesting to watch how he performs here. Obviously, without a great director, the movie did not realy happen - Dorian's girlfiend is being played poorly, for example. This movie is rather a curiosity, but Berger is at the pick of his beauty.