Oliver Twist [DVD]

A great film with a fabulous cast

A young boy (John Howard Davies) given the name of Oliver Twist is born and raised in a workhouse. He is apprenticed to a coffin maker at the age of 8 but escapes to London where he is lured into working for Fagin (Alec Guinness), who employs a gang of adolescent pickpockets and thieves. Following the success of his 1946 adaptation of Dickens' GREAT EXPECTATIONS, David Lean directed this superb adaptation of the celebrated Dickens' novel. It's quite faithful to the novel with a few minor exceptions, the most notable one being the absence of any relationship between Oliver and Nancy (Kay Walsh, who's wonderful) which was remedied in the 1968 musical adaptation. And it's Walsh's shocking murder that stays with you long after the film is over. At the time, Guinness's brilliant Fagin was viewed as anti-Semitic which is why the film wasn't released in America (in a cut form) until 1951. Today, he comes across more like a sleazy pedophile. The excellent B&W cinematography is courtesy of Guy Green. Lean's dream cast includes Robert Newton, Anthony Newley, Francis L. Sullivan, Kathleen Harrison, Diana Dors, Maurice Denham and a scene stealing performance by the bull terrier who plays Bill Sikes' dog.The DVD from ITV via Great Britain is a nicely rendered B&W transfer in the appropriate 1.33 ratio.

*No Spoilers*This is a great adaptation and probably sticks closer to the book but I don't think it stands in the same class as the 1968 musical adaptation.This 1951 version is extremely bleak, with no real let up. The 1968 colour music extravaganza, at least gives you some relief in between the bleakness of this tragic life story. Although Oliver is the main character, you are shown the abject poverty and dire living conditions of many characters that are simply trying to survive another day here. This 1951 version is certainly worthy of 4 stars and worth watching once for sure. But the 1968 version is one that you can watch again and again. Alec Guinness may be a great actor but Ron Moody will always rule as Fagin! After them, Dodger!Recommended snack for viewing - SausagesRecommended drink for viewing - Gin with a sugar lump.I do not receive any payment or free goods for writing these reviews. I am just happy to share my views on my purchases with fellow like minded Amazonians in the hope that you may find it helpful.

I think there can be few readers who have not heard of Oliver Twist or his infamous request when in the workhouse in London in the 19th Century? Agatha Christie and Charles Dickens are my favourite authors and the transfer from book to film has in most cases been carried out very well and quite successfully. Personally, I believe THIS to be the best of many versions and can find nothing to really fault. Not only was the acting from the main players like the very young John Howard Davies, Robert Newton, Kay Walsh, Anthony Newley and of course Alec Guinness superb, the many 'supporting' roles were excellent also. David Lean was, when he made this film probably Britains leading Director although he could turn his hand to some of the other 'jobs' too. His direction was faultless, as were the input of Producer Ronald Neame, Camera Operator Oswald Morris, Director of Photography Guy Greene, Makeup man Stuart Freeborn - especially converting a 35 year old Guinness into Fagin (how young Guinness was and looked can be seen in his portrayal of Herbert Pocket in Lean's 'Great Expectations' made 2 or 3 years earlier).For me however, John Bryan, the Production Designer wins the laurels with his creation of many different buildings, streets etc. A wonderful film, NO CGI in those days and all the better for it!

Really impressive quality dvd. In my opinion it is of Blu ray quality. Sharp clean images. Great sound.

Worth price paid delivery great.Love it the best version ever more realistic. Way better than that musical version thats is rubbish.

I thought it was the musical and its not. I was very disappointed only because I bought the wrong one the one i wanted was Oliver.

A David Lean masterpiece. He captures the novel brilliantly bringing the characters of the book to life. Fagin played by Alec Guinness is marvellous, although the portrayal was accused of being anti-semitic. Bill Sykes played by Robert Newton is scary, bullying and threatening everyone he comes into contact with. (Bit like his Long John Silver portrayal in Treasure Island but with venom) His end is dramatic and one of the highlights of the film. Together with Great Expectations, these two Charles Dickens adaptations are among his finest films.

Happy to have this movie in my collection.

This Cine guild Production is fantastic in every aspect , the set decorations the photography, the storyline. Marvelous actors likeAlec Guinness, Robert Newton ,Francis L Sullivan and a great cast with Direction from David Lean. This Restored copy is quite recommendable. NB this DVD is Region 2. RC

Film emotivo

Buena pelucula en blanco y negro sin remasterizar.

Oliver Twist un chef - d'oeuvre pour la première fois en 2 version restaurées l'une en version française et l'autre en version originale sous -titrée en française.Oliver Twist,dont la mère est morte en le mettant au monde est confié à un orphelinat à la discipline draconienne.Placé en apprentissage,il est maltraité et décide de s'enfuir à Londres.Il tombe sous la coupe du redoutable Fagin ,qui dirige une bande d'enfants voleurs et vis à leur dépens....