IMDb > Oliver! (1968)
Oliver!
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips
Photos (see all 47 | slideshow)

Overview

User Rating:
7.6/10   8,395 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 11% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Carol Reed
Writers:
Charles Dickens (freely adapted from "Oliver Twist")
Lionel Bart (book)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Oliver! on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
5 October 1968 (Japan) more
Genre:
Crime | Drama | Family | Musical more
Tagline:
More of a Masterpiece Than a Musical! [re-release] more
Plot:
Musical adaptation about an orphan who runs away from an orphanage and hooks up with a group of boys trained to be pickpockets by an elderly mentor. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Won 5 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 23 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(7 articles)
Lester Lands Saxon Fan Son A Part In Comeback Film
 (From WENN. 3 February 2009, 2:00 PM, PST)

Oliver's Lester To Battle Craig At The Box Office?
 (From WENN. 12 November 2008, 5:57 AM, PST)

User Comments:
A truly wonderful musical for the whole family. more (117 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Lionel Bart's Oliver! (UK) (poster title)
more
Runtime:
153 min
Country:
UK
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (35 mm optical prints) | 70 mm 6-Track (Westrex Recording System) (70 mm prints) | 4-Track Stereo (Westrex Recording System) (35 mm magnetic prints)
Company:
Romulus Films more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
"Boy For Sale" was shot in July despite the required snow setting; exterior shots depended on adequate cloud cover due to the erratic weather in London. The snowballs were made of polystyrene, salt, crazy foam and mashed potatoes. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: Near the end of the movie, we see Fagin and Dodger walking out of the city down a long cobblestone street. As they walk directly towards the sun rising in the distance, with their faint shadows seen following them appropriately, we also see larger, more pronounced shadows on the brick wall to their left - which is at a full 90 degree angle away from the sun in front of them. more
Quotes:
Bill Sikes: [realizing he's trapped] Nancy, I loved you didn't I? Look what you've done to me! more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "The Office: Crime Aid (#5.4)" (2008) more
Soundtrack:
Where Is Love more

FAQ

What are the three scenes inspired or taken from Dickens novel that were not in the stage version?
more
14 out of 15 people found the following comment useful.
A truly wonderful musical for the whole family., 25 October 1998
Author: Greg Bland from Brisbane, Australia

"Oliver!" brings to the screen a worthy adaption of Lionel Bart's Broadway musical of the sixties. The combination of a superb cast, wonderful music and breathtaking choreography mean that the film loses nothing in its translation from the stage. To this day it remains one of the stand-out musical adaptions in a dwindling field.

Although the conservative Dickens fanatics may thumb their noses at various liberties taken on the original plot of "Oliver Twist", they should observe that "Oliver!" has recreated most of the spirit intended by Dickens. While primarily a musical comedy, "Oliver!" certainly has a dark undercurrent, thanks to the skillful direction of Carol Reed and the sinister acting of Oliver Reed (playing Bill Sikes). Dickens was essentially a talented satirist, who constructed his characters to convey a moralistic view on Victorian society. "Oliver!" conveys much of the sadness and desperation of the original novel.

For anyone not acquainted with the famous storyline, the film treats of a young orphan, Oliver Twist, and follows his journey from a paupers' workhouse to the rough-and-tumble city life of London. He is spotted and introduced into a gang of thieves, led by the crafty and cunning Fagin. What follows for Oliver is an introduction to the art of picking pockets; the methods of justice dispened by Mr Fang the magistrate; the cruelty of Bill Sikes the notorious thief, and the compassion of Nancy, Bill's mate; the kindness of Mr and Mrs Brownlow. Such an adventure for such a small boy!

It is difficult to pinpoint the exact reason why this Oscar-winning film is such a success. On one hand there is the incredible performances of a gifted cast - Ron Moody being nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal of Fagin, and young Jack Wild's mature performance as the Artful Dodger. Mark Lester plays Oliver, and depicts all the elements of innocence and vulnerability as could be imagined in the young boy. Harry Secombe backs up the cast as the beadle, Mr Bumble.

Perhaps the best aspect of the film though is the music itself. Lionel Bart has done a masterful job in writing the original score, and you may expect to find yourself singing the songs for weeks after watching "Oliver!". Here are the evergreens, "Reviewing the Situation", "You've Got to Pick a Pocket Or Two", "Who Will Buy", and the beautiful and touching "Where is Love?". The list of classic tunes goes on and on, and if nothing else, young people today should watch the film purely for its educational value - to be introduced to the sweet music of yesteryear, and to see that a film's qualities extend beyond the realms of special effects.

"Oliver!" will rightfully go down as a classic film of its time, and with any luck will keep its place as a family favourite, for years to come. Its warmth and familiar music make it a must-see.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (117 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Oliver! (1968)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
OLIVER on network TV? mikwalen
How old? katie_dog_mad
The Owl danielriley66
Favorite Lines? davysbaby
Who was Scarier? Bill Sikes or Mr. Bumble? jbartelone
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Kindergarten Cop The Goonies The Secret Garden The Monster Squad Treasure Island
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Crime section IMDb UK section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.