The Picture Of Dorian Gray (1976)

A handsome but narcissistic young aristocrat (Peter Firth) has his portrait painted by a friend and artist (Jeremy Brett). He is disturbed that his physical beauty is captured forever but he must age. His morally bankrupt mentor (John Gielgud) encourages his cynicism. Based on the 1890 novel by Oscar Wilde (his only novel) and directed by John Gorrie. This adaptation by John Osborne (LOOK BACK IN ANGER) stays more faithful to the Wilde source material than the famous 1945 film version. Osborne's most significant change is that he plays up the gay subtext only hinted at in the Wilde book. It's a straightforward affair with Gielgud stealing the show but then, he does have all the best lines. Firth's casting is problematic in that he doesn't possess the magnetism that would seem to draw people to Dorian Gray and he's not all that good looking either. Watered down though it is, the 1945 MGM film still remains the best of many versions (over 20 TV and film adaptations alone). With Judi Bowker as the tragic Sybil Vane, Nicholas Clay and Nicholas Ball.