Oliver! Details

In this immensely popular film version of Lionel Bart's musical, Ron Moody — top-billed and Oscar-nominated as Fagin — brings a wealth of Petticoat Lane wit and wisdom, and a certain magnificence, to the role he had created on stage. The film collected six Oscars, including best picture and best director (Carol Reed, a last minute substitute for Lewis Gilbert, who probably would have brought the charm the fable sometimes lacks), and there's no denying that the Academy recognition for sound and art direction is well and truly justified. Today, the film works well as a child's introduction to Dickens, and adults can enjoy Shani Wallis's Nancy, Onna White's brisk Broadway choreography and the inimitable Harry Secombe's Mr Bumble.

The last, perhaps, of the splendid film musicals which have priced themselves out of existence; it drags a little in spots but on the whole it does credit both to the show and the original novel, though eclipsed in style by David Lean's straight version.