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Oliver Twist Details

2005 Certificate PG
  • Rated:
  • 60
  • from 18,175 members

Acclaimed director Roman Polanski turns a dark eye toward the classic Charles Dickens novel OLIVER TWIST, about a charming orphan boy (Barney Clark) whose life seems to depend solely on the whims of fate. Abandoned early in life, Oliver first seems doomed to life in a workhouse, where he is farmed out to a local undertaker .. Read more

Starring Ben Kingsley, Jamie Foreman, Barney Clark, Harry Eden
Director Roman Polanski
Genres Children, Family

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Oliver Twist

Acclaimed director Roman Polanski turns a dark eye toward the classic Charles Dickens novel OLIVER TWIST, about a charming orphan boy (Barney Clark) whose life seems to depend solely on the whims of fate. Abandoned early in life, Oliver first seems doomed to life in a workhouse, where he is farmed out to a local undertaker where he regularly is underfed and mistreated. Hoping to improve his lot in life, Oliver runs away to London, where he falls in with a gang of petty criminals led by the fence Fagin (Ben Kingsley) and the young pickpocket the Artful Dodger (Harry Eden). His new situation seems like relief, until he meets Mr. Brownlow (Edward Hardwicke), who sees Oliver's true character and potential and seems determined to sway destiny. Despite his innocent performance, eleven-year old Barney Clark was already a seasoned professional when Polanski recruited him to play Oliver, including studies at the Anna Scher Theatre and performances in the film THE LAWLESS HEART and British television dramas FOYLE'S WAR and THE BRIEF. Also of note is the moving score by award-winning composer Rachel Portman, which brings to life the gritty life of Victorian London. Polanski can now add OLIVER TWIST to his array of classic films, including THE PIANIST and CHINATOWN, which forever will shape cinematic vision.

Starring Ben Kingsley, Jamie Foreman, Barney Clark, Harry Eden, Leanne Rowe, Edward Hardwicke, Mark Strong, Ian McNeice
Director Roman Polanski
Studio PATHE DISTRIBUTION
Run time DVD: 2 hrs 10 mins
Certificate Certificate PG
Genres Children, Family
Language DVD: English
Hearing-impaired English
Released DVD: 13 Feb 2006
Production year: 2005
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (5) of Oliver Twist

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  • As a novel, Oliver Twist is episodic and often sentimental, especially in its wish-fulfilment ending all too... read more on Time Out

    • Time Out
    • Posted 04 Nov 2008

  • Memorable performances, beautiful cinematography and an absolutely stunning recreation of Victorian London

    • Sunday Mirror
    • Posted 08 Oct 2007

  • Most helpful member's review of Oliver Twist

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  • 23 out of 28 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    Left wanting more....

    A very lavish and enjoyable production. I just couldn't help but wait for the songs but of course there weren't any. I have not read the book it was based on but I have good reason to believe that the film was honest creation. Ben Kingsley as Fagin was excellent, sinister and funny. It was like a "whos who " of British actors, one after the other.

      • EastbourneReviewer from east sussex
      • Posted 10 Oct 2005 18:17

  • Most recent members' review of Oliver Twist

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  • 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Dickens as Dickens intended?

    Having watched most of the previous film and television versions I have to say this is one of the best. Although the plotline of Oliver's parentage is completely omitted, the story hangs together well (perhaps better than the book with its unrealistic coincidences so beloved by the Victorians) and keeps closely to much that Dickens intended, with many recognisable scenes and dialogue. Well-acted, particularly Barney Clark with an innocent but not insipid Oliver, Harry Eden as a roguish, but usually likeable Dodger, and a villainous Sikes from Jamie Foreman. I have to say I felt Ben Kingsley overacted Fagin slightly. The tone of the film was very good and the action kept moving well. Real mud - watch the young cast slip and slide! The filth and over-crowding of Victorian London brought to life. Don't try to compare it to the musical - it's an almost completely different story and a very different experience. I watched it twice before returning.

      • A customer from Bedford, UK
      • Posted 18 Jan 2008 21:23

  • News and features

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    Charles Dickens - A Biography Of The Classic Novelist

    A Twist in the tale

    • 11 Oct 2005

    As a film adaptation Oliver Twist has had its far share of treatments, most notably David Lean's 1948 version and Carol Reed's 1968 musical Oliver!. However, not many directors can inspire such anticipation as the celebrated Roman Polanski, creator of such masterpieces as China Town, Rosemary's Baby and The Pianist. In this new version of the Charles Dickens classic Harry Eden plays the Artful Dodger, while Ben Kingsley is the evil Fagin and Barney Clare the eponymous lead. For those who have... Read more

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Rating breakdown

18,175 Member ratings
  • 100
932
  • 90
1,153
  • 80
2,050
  • 70
2,884
  • 60
4,108
  • 50
2,784
  • 40
1,940
  • 30
1,252
  • 20
713
  • 10
359

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      • Acclaimed director Roman Polanski turns a dark eye toward the classic Charles Dickens novel OLIVER TWIST, about a charming orphan boy (Barney Clark) whose life seems to depend solely on the whims of ...