England, 1891. Ascending writer Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) meets Lord Alfred Douglas, a young nobleman. Over the years, they will maintain an intimate relationship that will be openly criticized by Alfred's father, the Marquis of Queensberry, in such a harsh way that Wilde, instigated by Alfred, decides to sue Queensberry in 1895, accusing him of defamation.
Acting
Robert Morley's Wilde — fleshy, witty, doomed
Costume
Velvet and lace hiding rot underneath
Writing
Wilde's actual wit, weaponized against him
Director
Gregory Ratoff
Robert Morley
Oscar Wilde
Ralph Richardson
Sir Edward Carson
Phyllis Calvert
Constance Wilde
John Neville
Lord Alfred Douglas
Dennis Price
Robert Ross
Alexander Knox
Sir Edgar Clarke
Edward Chapman
Marquis of Queensberry
Robert Harris
Justice Henn Collins
Henry Oscar
Justice Wills
Martin Benson
George Alexander
Ronald Leigh-Hunt
Lionel Johnson
Martin Boddey
Inspector Richards
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Robert Morley played Wilde on stage for years before this film; he basically owned the role in the '50s.
Made when homosexuality was still criminal in the UK — the film's restraint isn't cowardice, it's survival.
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