Pierre Boutron’s Le Portrait de Dorian Gray 1977 is a trip. Seriously. If you grew up watching the polished 1945 Hollywood version or the CGI-heavy Ben Barnes movie from 2009, this French television adaptation will feel like it’s from another planet. It’s gritty. It’s claustrophobic. It feels less like a Victorian morality tale and more like a fever dream filmed in a basement.
Oscar Wilde wrote the original story as a stinging critique of aestheticism and social hypocrisy, but Boutron took that and turned the dial toward psychological horror. Most people forget this version even exists. It’s one of those "lost" pieces of European cult cinema that pops up on obscure forums or deep YouTube dives. Honestly, it’s probably the most "Wilde" version out there, specifically because it leans so hard into the decadent, rot-from-within vibe that the book actually describes.
What Actually Happens in Le Portrait de Dorian Gray 1977?
If you know the plot, you know the deal. A beautiful young man stays young while his portrait gets ugly. Simple. But the 1977 French film handles the pacing differently. It stars Patrice Alexsandre as Dorian, and he has this eerie, statuesque look that fits the "ageless" requirement perfectly. You’ve got the usual suspects: Basil Hallward (the painter) and Lord Henry Wotton (the cynical mentor).
The 1970s was a peak era for French television to experiment with high-concept literature. They weren't trying to make a blockbuster. They were trying to make art. This means the 1977 film focuses heavily on the dialogue and the philosophical weight of Dorian's descent into depravity. It isn't just about him being a jerk; it’s about the total disintegration of a human soul.
The Casting That Nobody Expected
Patrice Alexsandre is the heart of Le Portrait de Dorian Gray 1977. He isn't a massive Hollywood name, which actually helps the film. You don't see a "star" playing a role; you just see Dorian. His performance is stiff in a way that feels intentional, like he’s a porcelain doll that’s slowly cracking.
Then there’s Raymond Gérôme as Lord Henry. In many adaptations, Lord Henry is just a guy who says clever things at parties. Here, Gérôme plays him with a predatory edge. You get the sense that he isn't just bored; he’s actively trying to destroy Dorian for the sake of an intellectual experiment. It makes the 1977 version feel much darker and more cynical than other adaptations.
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Why the 1977 Version Hits Different
The lighting. Oh man, the lighting.
Most 70s TV movies have that flat, brightly lit look, but Boutron used shadows like they were a character in the film. The house Dorian lives in feels like a tomb. It’s cluttered with antiques and velvet, reflecting the "decadent" movement that Oscar Wilde was so deeply involved with.
While the 1945 film used the famous "color reveal" for the portrait in an otherwise black-and-white movie, the 1977 version relies on atmosphere. It doesn't need gimmicks. It uses the claustrophobia of the set to make you feel as trapped as Dorian is. You basically feel the walls closing in on him as his sins pile up.
The French "Decadence" Factor
It’s worth noting that the French have a very specific relationship with Oscar Wilde. He died in Paris, after all. There’s a certain respect for his "decadent" roots in this 1977 adaptation that British or American versions often sanitize. This film doesn't shy away from the more transactional nature of Dorian’s relationships. It feels more honest about the "vice" part of the story.
Technical Limitations and Stylistic Choices
Let's be real: this was a television production in the late 70s. The budget wasn't huge. You aren't going to see sweeping vistas of Victorian London. Instead, you get tight shots. Close-ups. A lot of talking in dimly lit rooms.
For some, this makes it a bit of a slow burn. If you’re looking for a fast-paced thriller, this isn't it. But if you want to see a faithful, atmospheric exploration of Wilde’s themes, the 1977 adaptation is a masterclass in making the most of a limited set. It feels theater-adjacent, which honestly fits the source material better than a high-octane action flick.
Comparing 1977 to the Other Dorians
- 1945 Version: The "Gold Standard" for many. It’s elegant and iconic, but very much a product of the Hays Code era. It couldn't show half of what Wilde actually hinted at.
- 2009 Version: Basically Dorian Gray: The Action Movie. It’s fine, but it misses the psychological nuance.
- 1977 Version: The "Art House" cousin. It’s weird, it’s French, and it’s deeply concerned with the philosophy of beauty and aging.
Where to Find Le Portrait de Dorian Gray 1977
Tracking this thing down is a bit of a nightmare. It was produced for French TV (specifically for the Les Cent Livres series), so it’s not like you can just find it on Netflix. Your best bet is looking for archival DVD releases or checking specialized streaming services like the INA (Institut National de l'Audiovisuel) in France.
Sometimes it pops up on niche collector sites or in libraries with extensive European film collections. If you find a copy with English subtitles, grab it. They’re rare.
Why You Should Care About a 50-Year-Old TV Movie
The 1977 film reminds us that horror doesn't always need jump scares. Sometimes, horror is just a man looking in the mirror and realizing he’s a monster. In the age of Instagram filters and "anti-aging" obsessions, Le Portrait de Dorian Gray 1977 feels more relevant than ever.
We are all Dorian now, in a way. We have our "portraits" (social media profiles) that we keep perfect, while our real lives might be a mess. This French version captures that obsession with the image perfectly. It’s a slow, methodical look at what happens when you prioritize how you look over who you are.
How to Watch and Analyze It
If you manage to get your hands on it, don't watch it like a modern movie. Watch it like a play. Pay attention to the way the actors move. Notice how the camera lingers on the portrait even when it isn't the focus of the scene.
- Look for the color palette: The browns, golds, and deep reds scream 19th-century decay.
- Listen to the silence: The film uses quiet moments to build tension better than a loud soundtrack ever could.
- Compare the ending: Without giving too much away, the way the 1977 version handles the final confrontation is much more psychological than physical.
Actionable Insights for Fans of the Macabre
If you’re a fan of Oscar Wilde or cult cinema, here’s how to dive deeper into the world of Le Portrait de Dorian Gray 1977:
- Search the INA Archives: If you speak even a little French, the INA website is a goldmine for this specific era of television.
- Read the "Uncensored" Version of the Novel: If you want to see what the 1977 filmmakers were likely drawing from, read the 2011 Belknap Press edition of the book. It includes all the "scandalous" bits that Wilde’s original editor cut out.
- Check Letterboxd Lists: Serious cinephiles often create lists of "Best Literary Adaptations" that include the 1977 film. It’s a great way to find similar, obscure European titles.
- Analyze the "Decadent" Art Movement: To really understand the visual choices of this film, look up the work of Aubrey Beardsley. His illustrations were the vibe the 1977 crew was clearly aiming for.
The 1977 adaptation isn't the most famous version of Dorian’s story, but it’s arguably the most haunting. It strips away the Hollywood glamour and leaves you with the cold, hard truth of Wilde’s vision: that beauty is a mask, and eventually, the mask has to come off.