Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #42243 in DVD
• Released on: 1999-09-20
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Full Screen, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 112 minutes

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

Special Features
2.35 Anamorphic Wide Screen
4:3 Full Frame
DVD 5
English
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Dolby Digital 5.1
Simply Wilde Documentary

Synopsis
This unconventional biopic traces the brilliant, witty, and tragic life of Oscar Wilde from his rise to fame as a much-in-demand author and public speaker to his downfall and ultimate imprisonment for homosexuality. Thoughout the melodrama, the amazing performance of comic actor and author Stephen Fry, as Wilde, shines through. Also starring Vanessa Redgrave and Jude Law.

Customer Reviews

Overlooked but excellent
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?

Wilde
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.

Wild!
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!