- Actors: Stephen Fry, Jude Law, Vanessa Redgrave, Jennifer Ehle, Gemma Jones
- Directors: Brian Gilbert
- Writers: Julian Mitchell, Oscar Wilde, Richard Ellmann
- Producers: Alan Howden, Alex Graham, Deborah Raffin, Marc Samuelson
- Language English
- Classification: 15
- Studio: 4front
- VHS Release Date: 17 July 2000
- Run Time: 118 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004R729
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 6,564 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
Product details |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Wilde could easily have been nothing more than another well-dressed literary film from the British costume drama stable, but thanks to a richly textured performance from Stephen Fry in the title role, it becomes something deeper--a moving study of how the conflict between individual desires and social expectations can ruin lives. Oscar Wilde's writing may be justifiably legendary for its sly, barbed wit, but Wilde the film is far from a comedy, even though Fry relishes delivering the great man's famous quips. It takes on tragic dimensions as soon as Wilde meets Lord Alfred Douglas, known as Bosie, the strikingly beautiful but viciously selfish young aristocrat who wins Oscar's heart but loses him his reputation, marriage and freedom. Fry is brilliant at capturing how the intensity of Wilde's love for Bosie threw him off balance, becoming an all-consuming force he was unable to resist. Jude Law expertly depicts both Bosie's allure and his spitefully destructive side, there are subtle supporting performances from Vanessa Redgrave, Jennifer Ehle and Zoe Wanamaker, and the period trappings are lavishly trowelled on. But this is Fry's show all the way: from Oscar the darling of theatrical London to Wilde the prisoner broken on the wheel of Victorian moralism, he doesn't put a foot wrong. It feels like the role he was born to play. --Andy Medhurst
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I will admit from the start that I am an admirer of both Stephen Fry and Oscar Wilde, so this film is a dream come true for me. However, if you're not a fan of either, this could just be the thing to convert you.
Fry gives a simply amazing performance as Wilde, at times heartbreakingly touching; he almost makes you go through the emotions with him. Jude Law as the arrogant Bosie is quite perfect, both physically and performance-wise. Jennifer Ehle and Michael Sheen are both equally excellent, as are the rest of this great cast. In fact, I can find no fault with this film whatever, and it's one of my favourites of all time. The courtroom scene always moves me to tears without fail, and there are very few films that can do that, if any! You needn't think that it's a depressing film though, as there are always the injections of Oscar's razor sharp wit to balance the mood.
The documentary on the DVD is great too; a nice addition. But just one question: Where did the Best Actor Oscar go?
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Having an enormous amount of respect for Stephen Fry, I watched Wilde with high expectations and I wasn't disappointed. 'Wilde' was moving and Fry played the part with a huge amount of depth; which allowed the audience to become more subjective and emotionally involved during the film. I found some of the underlying themes of family and social acceptance a little washed over. However, the film has a grown up and sombre feel, juxtaposed with humour and wit. Highly recommended.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is a bipoic of the great Oscar Wilde starring the wonderful Stephen Fry as the man himself amongst a star studded cast including Vanessa Redgrave and Jude Law. A thoroughly moving film about a truly inspirational man, Stephen Fry is perfect as Oscar but I would have liked even more of Wilde's gems of wisdom to have been included. Not for anyone who is easily offended by same sex love scenes!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Wilde as ever
Wilde is great entertainment for those, like me, that cherish the work of Oscar Wilde and admire his avant-guarde personality. Read more
Published 8 days ago by Rosa Vasconcellos
Brilliant performance
Brilliant portrail of a tragic genius. No other actor of his generation could have performed better, I have no doubt that Fry is Wilde.
Published 21 days ago by Berkshire Critic
Stephen Fry!
I bought this item because of Stephen Fry, whom I very much wanted to see in another role than Mycroft Holmes (because I actually didn't know him before I watched "Sherlock Holmes... Read more
Published 3 months ago by MrsDelle
100% satisfied
Bought this film after watching a production of Oscar Wilde's The importance of being Earnest'. Prompt delivery excellent service. Will use again.
Published 8 months ago by Mrs. Mariella C. Lloyd
Too much slapping
Wilde was a genius a fact obscured by this films focus on Wilde's sexuality, which is interesting but ultimately eclipses the brilliance of his work, which hardly gets a look in... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Sir Elias Dee
Stephen Fry and more
I enjoyed every minute.
As a Stephen Fry fan I relished every minute he was on view such a change from the tongue in cheek comedy of Jeeves. Read more
As a Stephen Fry fan I relished every minute he was on view such a change from the tongue in cheek comedy of Jeeves. Read more
Published 10 months ago by K. A. Newton
A Wilde circle
After reading Collins Classics - Complete Works of Oscar Wilde, it is quite impossible to not watch the film Wilde, immediately. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Douglas Machado
Wilde (1997)
I was pleasantly surprised by how good this film was. It focusses an unflinching look on Wilde's relationship with Bosie. The viewer feels sympathy for both men. Read more
Published 15 months ago by pk1225
Good film but poor DVD
Stephen Fry gives a marvellous performance as intelligent and witty Wilde. Watching him on screen, you couldn't imagine the part being played by any other actor. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Anorakus
Fine portrait
An entertaining and well acted film of one of our finest poet laureats.
accused by society for being corrupt, by a society that is....
accused by society for being corrupt, by a society that is....
Published 18 months ago by S. Addinall
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