Oliver Twist (1948)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Director:

David Lean

Writers:

Charles Dickens (novel)
David Lean (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

30 July 1951 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Crime | Drama

Tagline:

A Screen Event To Be Remembered For All Time !

Plot:

Based on the Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist is about an orphan boy who runs away from a workhouse and meets a pickpocket on the streets of London...

Plot Keywords:

Pickpocket | Young Boy | Orphan | Child Abuse | Criminal Gang

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Robert Newton	...	Bill Sikes
Alec Guinness	...	Fagin
Kay Walsh	...	Nancy
Francis L. Sullivan	...	Mr. Bumble
John Howard Davies	...	Oliver Twist
Henry Stephenson	...	Mr. Brownlow
Mary Clare	...	Mrs. Corney
Anthony Newley	...	Artful Dodger
Josephine Stuart	...	Oliver's Mother
Ralph Truman	...	Monks
Kathleen Harrison	...	Mrs. Sowerberry
Gibb McLaughlin	...	Mr. Sowerberry
Amy Veness	...	Mrs. Bedwin
Diana Dors	...	Charlotte
Frederick Lloyd	...	Dr. Grimwig

Runtime:

116 min | USA:105 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:G | Germany:12 | Egypt:(Banned) (original release) | Canada:G (Ontario) | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:U

Filming Locations:

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

Independent Producers

Trivia:

The film's release in the US was delayed until 1951 because of protests from Jewish pressure groups, who judged Alec Guinness's portrayal of Fagin to be anti-Semitic

Goofs:

Continuity: In the final scene, in a close-up, Oliver is holding the elder gentleman's right hand in his left, and is to his right. When they turn the corner, in the long shot, Oliver is now being held by his right hand and is to the elder gentleman's left.

Quotes:

Mr. Brownlow: How would you like to grow up a clever man and write books?
Oliver Twist: I think I'd rather read them sir.
Mr. Brownlow: What, don't you want to be a book writer?
Oliver Twist: I think I'd rather be a bookseller sir.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Return to the Edge of the World (1978)

Soundtrack:

The 'Oliver' Themes

Spectacular, Breathtaking & Definitive 'Oliver Twist'

David Lean's adaptation of Charles Dickens' most irresistible tale must rank as one of the most astounding masterpieces in all of cinema.

Every detail is wrought with the most painstaking detail and nuance. There are many scenes which stand out but none is more exhilarating as the astounding ending when it appears as if all of London has come out to rescue our hero.

My favorite aspect of this film has to be the depiction of a London in which we have all dreamed of living: gritty, lusty, ugly, beautiful, attractive, repulsive but most of all, exceptionally unique and endearing - yet with pomp and poverty existing side by side.

Oh, so much to say about this film. One runs out of words.

Every performance remains in one's memory, every image in one's heart.