The Trials Of Oscar Wilde (1960)

The famous playwright Oscar Wilde (Peter Finch) brings a libel suit against the Marquess Of Queensbury (Lionel Jeffries) after he accuses Wilde of seducing his son (John Fraser). But the trial exposes Wilde's private life and his penchant for young boys. Based on the play THE STRINGED LUTE by John Furnell and directed by Ken Hughes (CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG). This being 1960, the film is skittish about discussing Wilde's actual sex life. It's a sympathetic portrait of Wilde and Finch gives a noble performance. But the movie leaves a lot out, possibly due to the censorship restrictions of the day and possibly because it would make Wilde unsympathetic (bedding 16 year old boys). Finch's Wilde comes off as naive, surely he would have realized the disastrous results that would result from when his private life is exposed. Quite possibly, the real Wilde's arrogance might have precipitated such a decision but Finch's Wilde is played as sincere. As the self centered pretty boy, Fraser is pompous and off-putting. What can Wilde see in him outside of his looks? But the film goes out of the way to prevent Wilde from looking shallow and presents it as a genuine affection. The film looks great thanks to Ken Adam's production design and Elsa Fennell's costumes. With James Mason, Yvonne Mitchell, James Booth, Emrys Jones and Maxine Audley.