Oliver Twist (1982/I) (TV)

Director:

Clive Donner

Writers:

Charles Dickens (novel)
James Goldman (writer)

Release Date:

23 March 1982 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

A Compelling New Version of the Great Victorian Classic

Plot:

The classic Dickens tale of an orphan boy who escapes the horrors of the orphanage only to be taken in by a band of thieves and pickpockets. |

Plot Keywords:

Dickens | London England | Murder | Orphan | Pickpocket

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy.

Cast

George C. Scott	...	Fagin
Tim Curry	...	Bill Sikes
Michael Hordern	...	Mr. Brownlow
Timothy West	...	Mr. Bumble
Eileen Atkins	...	Mrs. Mann
Cherie Lunghi	...	Nancy
Oliver Cotton	...	Monks
Richard Charles	...	Oliver Twist
Lysette Anthony	...	Oliver's Mother
Eleanor David	...	Rose Maylie
Philip Locke	...	Mr. Sowerberry
Ann Beach	...	Mrs. Sowerberry
Artro Morris	...	Mr. Giles
John Barrard	...	Dr. Losborne
Brenda Cowling	...	Mrs. Bedwin

Runtime:

103 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:PG | UK:PG

Filming Locations:

Elstree Film Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Claridge Productions

Trivia:

This film was made for and premiered on US television, but it was released theatrically in some overseas territories.

Quotes:

Noah Claypole: [Sowerberry has handed Claypoole mourning clothes, instructing him to give them to Oliver] But these are funeral clothes! You promised me the job of silent mourner!
Mr. Sowerberry: I never did. Besides, he has a much better face for it than you. He looks so sad.

Movie Connections:

Version of A Modern Oliver Twist (1906)

Good Adaptation;Some Strange Casting

This is quite an accurate adaptation of the novel,and for the most part,quite satisfying.Curry does a good job,although I always thought of Sikes as a more burly chap.West does what he can as Bumble,but is miscast.Bumble's pride,arrogance,monumental conceit and collosal ignorance are to be matched by a hulking obese brute,masquerading as charity,piety,and responsibility.West comes across as a silly,dotty,and senile clod-he's just not grotesque enough.The muscular Scott lacks the physically frail quality for a proper Fagin-and his attempt to save Nancy at the end is totally out of character.Dickens created a villain-true,persecuted,discriminated against,and the victim of religious and racial bias-but a calculating,vicious,treacherous snake all the same.Everything else being considered,this is quite watchable,entertaing,and captures much of the spirit of the novel.