Oliver! (Widescreen)

If only movies were made like this today. This film is filled with witty comedy, wonderful music, and great acting. One of the best musicals out there!! This film displays a boy's life going from the lowest of low (an orphanage) and slowely rising to a better life. The only thing is, it makes stealing look a little. .. well . . fun! But i'm sure we can all live with that right?

Until CHICAGO reenergized the movie musical genre, this musical version of Charles Dickens' immortal "Oliver Twist" was widely regarded as one of the last of the great movie musicals. Indeed, with its high-energy performances, infectious music, steady direction by Sir Carol Reed and glorious sets, this movie won the 1968 Best Picture Oscar over such formidable competition as THE LION IN WINTER, CHARLEY, and FUNNY GIRL.

Of course, most people are familiar with the classic story of young Oliver Twist, whose mother dies giving him birth and is forced to be raised under the cruel supervision of the English workhouse officials. When he dares beg for more than his meager ration of gruel, the youngster is apprenticed to an undertaker and his extremely nasty family. After escaping this hostile environment, he finds himself taken in by the roguish Fagin, the Artful Dodger(Fagin's best pupil), and the rest of his band of young pickpockets. In time, however, Oliver will find his home, but not before dealing with the likes of the brutal Bill Sikes with the help of Sike's sympathetic lover, Nancy, and the kindly Mr. Brownlow.

As musical films go, it is hard to fault the wonderful casting in this film. Mark Lester makes a perfectly, if maybe overly, innocent Oliver, while Jack Wild is a delight as the rascally Artful Dodger. Shanie Wallis is heart-rending as the tragic Nancy. Oliver Reed (Sir Carol's nephew) is truly scary as the menacing Bill Sikes. Harry Secombe displays a glorious tenor in the comic role of Mr. Bumble, the beadle of the workhouse. However, it is Ron Moody's fantastic performance of the rascally Fagin that steals this movie. It is not surprising, when you consider that he created the role when the musical was first produced in London. Of course, the character itself has gone quite a change from Dickens' original, going from the debatably nasty anti-Semitic portrait of the novel to that of a lovable, if sneaky, eccentric. Indeed, Moody's excellent portrayal would set the tone for almost all future performances of the role to date, including those of such actors as George C. Scott and Richard Dreyfus, among others.

Some Dickens fans may quibble about the liberties taken with the book, from the softening of Fagin to the elimination of Oliver's evil step-brother Monks from the storyline. And it isn't a perfect film by any means. (The child singer who dubbed Mark Lester's songs sounds like she's in an echo chamber of some sort, which makes Oliver's singing a jarring contrast to the rest of the cast.) But, as a musical film, it is a wonderful entertainment and superb introduction to the classic story. As a result, this is one musical that I would DEFINITELY recommend.

"Oliver!" is the first musical I ever came to love, to learn the words to, and to want to see again. When people think of this wonderful adaptation of Charles Dickens' dark and occasionally hopeful "Oliver Twist," the music might come first to mind. Why wouldn't it? The songs are remarkable, and worth ever acclaim. Take away the music (and I hope you never would), and there is left a strong story with a strong message played by strong actors, all well-produced.

The younger viewers will see the trials and tribulations of Oliver Twist. Older viewers will connect with Nancy or Bill Sikes, or look deep into the tyranny of poverty and those who would profit from the vulnerable poor.

Ron Moody is the star as Fagin, but a not often talked about enough performance of Jack Wild's Artful Dodger. He has an insightfulness and an almost innocent prying likeability that infects audiences. He's a thief, working for the top thief, and trying to involve young and lonely Oliver, but only so to protect him and befriend him.

Peggy Mount is endearing as Mrs. Bumble, with a personality not unlike Mrs. Butterworth of pancake syrup fame.

The tone is ironically whimsical, demonstrating a contrast in the tenor of the rich and poor, of those singing and those in need.

The settings are impressively realistic, keeping in mind the time this was produced. Not as big budget as epics like "The Ten Commandments," it still can carry the audience into believing they were really there. We see the humanity behind the poor culture of London. We see the tragedies of lives that could have been beautiful, and grimace with the fates of some.

Even though the music is fun and memorable, so is the not as happy message. Across England, homeless children were being abused and put into near-slavery in a black-market pickpocket scheme. Dickens took what he saw around him and developed one of the English's most compelling literary social statements.

I fully recommend "Oliver!" To balance out your classic Victorian England DVD musical collection, try "My Fair Lady," with Audrey Hepburn.

Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com