"Oliver!" is a 1968 British period musica drama film based on Lionel Bart's 1960 stage musical of the same name, itself an adaptation of Charles Dickens's novel "Oliver Twist."
The film was directed by Sir Carol Reed and received critical acclaim. It was nominated for eleven Academy Awards and won six, including Best Picture and Best Director.
The story follows the young orphan Oliver Twist as he meets a group of boys trained to be pickpockets by an elderly mentor in 1830s London. The film features memorable musical numbers and has been released on DVD and Blu-ray in several countries.
The film is praised for its universal appeal, appealing to both children and adults. Sir Carol Reed's direction is lauded for treating the children in the cast as equal participants in the story, and the characters of Fagin, Bill Sikes, the Artful Dodger, and Nancy are highlighted as particularly interesting. Mark Lester's portrayal of Oliver is also well-received.
Overall, Oliver! is considered a timeless work of art, with a splendid experience that never stoops for cheap effects and never insults the audience's intelligence
Plot
Oliver! follows the story of Oliver Twist, a young orphan navigating the underworld of theft and violence in Victorian England. After being taken in by a gang of child pickpockets led by the conniving Fagin, Oliver is falsely accused of theft. He is later rescued by a kind gentleman, much to the dismay of Fagin's violent associate, Bill Sikes. Caught in the middle is Nancy, a warm-hearted woman trapped under Bill's control but eager to help Oliver, with tragic consequences.
The plot revolves around Oliver's quest for a home, family, and love, featuring memorable songs like "As Long as He Needs Me," "Food, Glorious Food," and "Where Is Love." The film is praised for its spirited and timeless musical numbers, making it a classic in the musical genre
Trailer
Cast
- Ron Moody as Fagin
- Shani Wallis as Nancy
- Oliver Reed as Bill Sikes
- Harry Secombe as Mr. Bumble
- Joseph O'Conor as Mr. Brownlow
- Peggy Mount as Mrs. Bumble
- Mrs. Sowerberry as Mrs. Bedwin
- Mr. Jessop as Noah Claypole
- Betty Noah as Charlotte
- Jack Wild as The Artful Dodger
- Mark Lester as Oliver Twist
- Skaila Kanga (uncredited) as Singing Voice: Mark Lester
-Director: Carol Reed
Writer: Lionel Bart (based on Charles Dickens' novel "Oliver Twist")
Distributor: United Artists Releasing
Release Dates: 1968
Challenges faced
The challenges faced during the production of the 1968 film Oliver! included the portrayal of Charles Dickens' colorful and extreme characters, which posed a challenge that both excited and inspired the director. Additionally, there were intangible problems related to the tone of the film, particularly in conveying the sense of Oliver being thrust into a menacing, ever-darkening underworld.
Setting
The setting of "Oliver Twist" is primarily in London, a city characterized by danger, crime, and poverty during the Victorian era. The novel portrays a dark and sinister atmosphere, with slime, filth, and unanticipated violence prevalent throughout the story.
The city itself is depicted as a kind of prison, with its filthy, foggy, and crime-ridden streets. However, there are also contrasting settings, such as the countryside, which is portrayed as a place of quietness, pure air, and beauty, providing a stark contrast to the urban squalor and serving as a restorative place for the characters.
Trivia
- The "Consider Yourself" number took three weeks to film.
- While filming the scene where Oliver gets a peek at Fagin's treasure, director Carol Reed was not satisfied with the reaction on Mark Lester's face. Later, while re-shooting the scene, he hid a small white rabbit in his pocket and stood behind the camera. As Ron Moody opened the box of treasures, Reed pulled the rabbit out of his pocket. Lester's reaction to the sight of the rabbit was then used in the final film.
- As a practical joke on Harry Secombe, the make-up department created a false ear for Mark Lester so that when Secombe grabbed the boy's ear, it came off in his hand.
- The composer of the highly respected score, Lionel Bart, could not read music himself. He would sing his melodies to a trained pianist, who would then set the tunes down on sheet music and orchestrate them.
- The film won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Score, Best Sound, Best Art Direction, and Best Film Editing.
- The iconic song "Consider Yourself" became a major hit and continues to be loved by audiences worldwide.
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