'Eternal youth is the ultimate perversion.'
Many FH readers may recall it took me awhile to gain an appreciation for classic films. I tended to fight watching anything made before the movies of the 1980's and 1990's that I watched as a kid. Everything else seemed ancient, and not bother watching. Thankfully, that has long changed, in large part, for working on this site.
Through working on FH, I began to discover actors and movies I'd never seen or heard of before, and as part of the storytelling, found myself taking a deep dive into classic cinema. Thanks to TCM, and many FH readers who wrote me with suggestions, I now probably watch more films made before I was born than made after.
I still don't often go back beyond the 1940's, but have come to love films from the 60's and 70's, especially 70's horror films. Although the 1970 adaptation of Dorian Gray isn't directly a horror film, for many it's definitely considered one. The Helmut Berger led film was the second version of Oscar Wilde's story that I'd seen, the first was the 2009 adaptation.
From Cinebeats
Massimo Dallamano couldn’t have picked a better actor to play the vain and self absorbed Dorian Gray. Helmut Berger is clearly enjoying himself in the role and it’s easy to believe that women and men of all ages and sexual persuasions are attracted to him. Berger’s erotic persona and fluid sexuality are used to their fullest extent in Dorian Gray and the audience is easily able to project their own fantasies into the movie if they’re willing.
Berger was perfectly cast in the role with his talent and exquisite beauty. For some reason however, I found that Berger looked just a little old. It's odd I know, especially as I'd seen Ben Barnes in the role, who seemed more the right age. Of course, it's Hollywood, and Barnes was actually one year older than Berger was when he played the role. I believer Berger was 26, and Barnes was 27.
Helmut Berger
Dorian Gray
Feature Film: 1970
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