The turmoil in poet/playwright Oscar Wilde's life after he discovers his homosexuality.The turmoil in poet/playwright Oscar Wilde's life after he discovers his homosexuality.The turmoil in poet/playwright Oscar Wilde's life after he discovers his homosexuality.
- Nominated for 2 BAFTA Awards
- 4 wins & 8 nominations total
Jackson Ellis Leach
- Cyril Wilde, aged 4
- (as Jackson Leach)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaOrlando Bloom's film debut.
- GoofsWhen Oscar Wilde visits his wife's grave near Genoa, the headstone states "Wife of Oscar Wilde". It originally stated only "Constance Mary, daughter of Horace Lloyd, Q.C." and "Wife of Oscar Wilde" was not added until later.
- Quotes
Oscar Wilde: [last lines]
Oscar Wilde: In this world there are only two tragedies. One is not getting what one wants. The other is getting it.
- Crazy creditsThe credits are in the style of the black-ink drawings of Aubrey Beardsley (1872-1898), leading artist of the Aesthetic movement and colleague of Wilde for whom he illustrated the text of "Salome" in 1894. In the opening credits the pictures reflect the character being played or suggest the role in the production team.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Venice Report (1997)
- SoundtracksAh, Leave me not to Mine Alone
from "The Pirates of Penzance"
Words and Music by W.S. Gilbert (as Gilbert) & Arthur Sullivan (as Sullivan)
Featured review
Oscar Wilde's Story told adequately
"Wilde" is an episodic, Masterpiece Theatre-style look at the famous playwright Oscar Wilde and his notorious trial and imprisonment upon sodomy charges at the turn of the last century. While not a penetrating or in-depth look into Wilde's character, it does keep your interest with a fast moving look at a fascinating life.
Unfortunately, the film begins with an already famous Wilde, and gives us no real insight into his beginnings or character. Stephen Fry is an inspired physical choice as Wilde, but is content to show us only a genteel, endlessly patient and saintly man, whom young men are constantly throwing themselves at. One longs to see a more multi-faceted depiction. (Also, there's a distractingly awful makeup job in the prison scene with his wife toward the end, looks like he's coated with gray paint!)
The gay sex scenes which some other commenters have alluded negatively to are actually pretty mild, I thought - some kissing and hugging, some rather discreet huffing and puffing under the sheets, and a few bare buttocks. Nothing anyone would get worked up over if it were a man and a woman doing it onscreen, so why the double standard?
A special word of praise to Zoe Wanamaker, who plays Wilde's society friend "Sphinx", and who is acerbic and wonderful in her few scenes - one wanted to see much more of her!
Unfortunately, the film begins with an already famous Wilde, and gives us no real insight into his beginnings or character. Stephen Fry is an inspired physical choice as Wilde, but is content to show us only a genteel, endlessly patient and saintly man, whom young men are constantly throwing themselves at. One longs to see a more multi-faceted depiction. (Also, there's a distractingly awful makeup job in the prison scene with his wife toward the end, looks like he's coated with gray paint!)
The gay sex scenes which some other commenters have alluded negatively to are actually pretty mild, I thought - some kissing and hugging, some rather discreet huffing and puffing under the sheets, and a few bare buttocks. Nothing anyone would get worked up over if it were a man and a woman doing it onscreen, so why the double standard?
A special word of praise to Zoe Wanamaker, who plays Wilde's society friend "Sphinx", and who is acerbic and wonderful in her few scenes - one wanted to see much more of her!
helpful•80
- FANatic-10
- May 28, 2001
- How long is Wilde?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- 王爾德與他的情人
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $10,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $2,158,775
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $69,424
- May 3, 1998
- Gross worldwide
- $2,158,775
- Runtime1 hour 58 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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