A rather bizarre adoption of Oscar Wilde's wonderful story, this has been updated to the late 1960's London, and it is very homoerotic in many ways. First of all, Herbert Lom is an obviously older (if still extremely handsome) gay man, in lust with modern day libertine Helmet Berger, one of the most beautiful of narcissistic characters in film. But he looks like someone who would have been at home on either Christopher or Castro Streets, even if he prefers women yet seeks out men when the mood strikes him. A series of beautiful women in gorgeous period 60's clothing clamor for his bed, yet it's obvious that the charming facade that is Dorian on the outside hides some sinister ideals on the inside.

Often slow but frequently campy, this is a mod, mod Wilde world, with women of all ages (including veteran actress Isa Miranda quite over the top) and men desperate to see which side Dorian to prefer to butter his bread on. With Berger as eye candy and Lom stealing the scene with his flamboyant performance, veteran actor Richard Todd dies get to show some class as yet will painter of the portrait. The scene where he threatens to destroy it and burger makes a deal is quite memorable.

I wouldn't call this a perfect version of the classic tale but the way it has been modernized to the sexual revolution is wonderful, and visually it is thrilling. As a psychological horror movie, it feels intention with Dorian getting more evil as his ego gets larger. But you won't be able to look away for all the sumptuous set-pieces and gorgeous costumes, and the subtle way that Dorian philosophises on his increasing evil is thoughtful, sad and intelligent.

The 1970 British/Italian/West German film THE SECRET OF DORIAN GRAY (Original title Das Bildnis des Dorian Gray) is notable for sexing up the Oscar Wilde novel; that comes as no surprise given that the producer is none other than Harry Alan Towers, well known for cheapo literary adaptations, Fu Manchu sequels and a number of continental Christopher Lee movies made during the era. It updates the tale to 1970's London and features a blond Helmut Berger in the title role, playing the amoral playboy - shades of ALFIE - who remains ageless while hiding a dark secret in the attic.

So far, so straightforward; this is quite the conventional movie. Some style is brought to the proceedings by director Massimo Dallamano (whose WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO SOLANGE? might just be my all-time favourite giallo) including novel P.O.V. shots and plenty of nice location work around swinging London. A bevy of Euro beauties prop up the cast, including among their number Maria Rohm, Margaret Lee and Beryl Cunningham; you'll know many of them from Jess Franco movies. But the lengthy sexuality and explicit material takes a toll on the running time, and the pace flags after a while.

It's certainly not all bad though. It looks great (I caught it in HD on Amazon Prime, not sure who uploaded it). Richard Todd is one of my favourite film stars and he stands out in a minor role as the painter, while Herbert Lom is a typical delight as the predatory older male. Berger convinced me too: it's easy to get a handsome model for the role, but you need someone to also get across the inner seediness and I think he manages that. The painting inevitably plays a big role in the film and looks great, and there's a nice flourish at the climax. Purists will want to stick with the 1945 Hollywood version of the tale, but this one's not so bad either.

Massimo Dallamano's Dorian Gray is a REALLY kitsch version of Oscar Wilde's classic tale, set in 'swinging' London, with funky music, gaudy fashion, and decadent sexually-liberated characters of all persuasions. Helmut Berger is the beautiful young Gray, who sells his soul so that his portrait will age and decay while he himself stays eternally youthful; Richard Todd is artist Basil, who captures the likeness of Gray so perfectly that his subject becomes obsessed with his own attractiveness; and Herbert Lom is influential art dealer Henry Watton, who leads Gray astray by telling him to make the most of his youth and yield to temptation. Marie Liljedahl plays stage actress Sybil, who falls for Dorian, but finds herself abandoned once Gray gets a taste of the high life.

Dallamano keeps the film moving at a decent pace, and his cast all put in entertaining performances, with Lom being particularly fun as the corruptor of youth, providing the film's funniest moment (unintentionally so) when he pops up in Dorian's shower, bar of soap in hand. Isa Miranda is also a hoot as ageing millionairess Mrs. Ruxton, who Dorian reluctantly treats to a spot of back-door sex in a stable. Perhaps the best thing about the film is the hideous '70s clothing, especially Berger's wardrobe: his blue velvet shirt and shorts two piece is quite the fashion statement, but it pales in comparison to the zebra stripe coat, brown flares, foppish hat and cravat ensemble that he opts for in the final act. Talking of zebra stripes, they must have been popular back then - Dorian's apartment is adorned with zebra pattern curtains, and not one, but two zebra skin rugs. Other animal-based decorations include a lion skin rug (you can never have too many dead animal skins to lounge on) and an elephant tusk picture frame. How tasteful!

7.5/10, rounded up to 8 for Liljedahl, who is gorgeous (and not averse to taking her clothes off),and for the hilarious pair of mincing queens outside the Black Cock nightclub (I kid you not!).