The Trials of Oscar Wilde
| Industry | Film production |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1950s |
| Founder | Harold Huth |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Films |
| Parent | Eros Films (distribution) |
The Trials of Oscar Wilde, alternatively titled The Man with the Green Carnation and The Green Carnation, is a British drama film from 1960 that dramatizes the libel and criminal proceedings involving Oscar Wilde and the Marquess of Queensberry. The screenplay, penned by Allen and Ken Hughes, was directed by Hughes and produced by Harold Huth. Hughes collaborated with Montgomery Hyde on adapting the script from John Furnell’s (a pseudonym for Phyllis Macqueen) unperformed play The Stringed Lute. Production was handled by Warwick Films, with distribution through Eros Films.
The film stars Peter Finch portraying Wilde, Lionel Jeffries as Queensberry, and John Fraser playing Bosie (Lord Alfred Douglas). The supporting cast includes James Mason, Nigel Patrick, Yvonne Mitchell, Maxine Audley, Paul Rogers, and James Booth.
Cast
- Peter Finch as Oscar Wilde
- Yvonne Mitchell as Constance Wilde
- Sonia Dresdel as Lady Wilde
- Emrys Jones as Robbie Ross
- Lionel Jeffries as Marquis of Queensbury
- James Mason as Sir Edward Carson
- Nigel Patrick as Sir Edward Clarke
- John Fraser as Lord Alfred Douglas
- Maxine Audley as Ada Leverson
- Ian Fleming as Arthur
- Laurence Naismith as the Prince of Wales
- James Booth as Alfred Wood
- Michael Goodliffe as Charles Gill
- Naomi Chance as Lillie Langtry
Production
In November 1959, Ken Hughes expressed his desire to cast either Laurence Olivier or Alec Guinness in the lead role, stressing that the film’s success depended on securing a performer of considerable prominence. He anticipated legal resistance from the Queensberry family due to their portrayal of the Marquis in a negative light, while Wilde was characterized as a tragic figure ensnared in a world of illusion.
Vyvyan Holland, son of Oscar Wilde, remarked that although he had not been contacted during production, he was open to offering guidance after reviewing the screenplay.
By February 1960, Peter Finch had been selected for the lead role with a salary of £25,000. Finch acknowledged both the demanding nature of the character and the significant influence the part could have on his career trajectory.
The movie was filmed using Technirama technology.
Oscar Wilde Lawsuits
This film premiered concurrently with 20th Century Fox’s Oscar Wilde, featuring Robert Morley. To meet a tight schedule allowing a West End premiere only seven weeks after filming started, four editing suites operated simultaneously.
Warwick Films attempted to obtain an injunction against their competitor over alleged copyright violations related to two books but were unsuccessful in court.
Release
The movie debuted at midnight on 28 May 1960 at Studio One in London, arriving just one week after Fox’s version of Oscar Wilde. Initially, both productions resisted changing their titles, which led to confusion among audiences. Eventually, Warwick Films retitled their production The Green Carnation.
In June 1960, Warwick announced plans to shift towards self-producing and distributing films independently. They aimed for an annual budget of $8 million, including three major feature films and eight additional projects financed through Eros Films, which handled distribution of The Trials of Oscar Wilde within the UK.
By May 1961, Eros encountered financial troubles during its distribution efforts for The Trials of Oscar Wilde, resulting in workforce reductions. Four films remained pending release: Johnny Nobody, Middle of Nowhere, Carolina, and Lies My Father Told Me.
Critical
Bosley Crowther commended the film for its empathetic depiction of Oscar Wilde's character and his legal battles, considering it superior to a contemporary British production on the same topic, with one exception. Nonetheless, he raised doubts about the portrayal of Wilde as entirely noble and heroic, implying the film might sanitize a controversial chapter in literary history.
John Simon referred to The Trials of Oscar Wilde as "a film unjustly overlooked."
Variety praised Peter Finch's nuanced and heartfelt interpretation of Wilde alongside John Fraser’s credible performance as Lord Alfred Douglas, emphasizing that their relationship was more clearly conveyed than in other adaptations. Conversely, it found James Mason’s courtroom role lacking the intensity and sharp reasoning necessary to match the dramatic power of an earlier monochrome version.
The movie is recognized as "Hughes’ unmistakable classic."
Box office
According to Kine Weekly, the film proved a "money spinner" in Britain's 1960 box office, performing strongly in affluent areas but showing less success in industrial regions. Despite this uneven reception, it was regarded as one of the year’s notable releases. Producer Broccoli later remarked that the film "failed commercially in nearly every country."
Accolades
| Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Academy Film Awards | Best Film from any Source | Ken Hughes | Template:Nom |
| Best British Film | Template:Nom | ||
| Best British Actor | Peter Finch | Template:Won | |
| John Fraser | Template:Nom | ||
| Best British Screenplay | Ken Hughes | Template:Nom | |
| Golden Globe Awards | Best English-Language Foreign Film | Template:Won | |
| Moscow International Film Festival | Grand Prix | Ken Hughes | Template:Nom |
| Best Actor | Peter Finch | Template:Won | |
| Best Decorator | Bill Constable | Template:Won | |
| Best Costume Designer | Terence Morgan | Template:Won | |
Influence
This production served as inspiration for a 1967 promotional film accompanying the Rolling Stones' track "We Love You", directed by Peter Whitehead. The video cast Mick Jagger portraying Wilde, Keith Richards as the judge, and Marianne Faithfull in the role of Bosie.
See also
- Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde, a 1997 theatrical work based on the same court cases