Oliver Twist

Starring:Richard Dreyfuss, Elijah Wood, David O'Hara, Alex Trench, Antoine Byrne, Olivia Caffrey, Anthony Finigan, Maria Charles, Des Braiden, Eileen Colgan, Eilish Moore, Lisa Dwan, Conor Evans, A.J. Kennedy, Jeffrey O'Toole, Ned Dennehy, Sean Madden, Max Reynolds, Ferdia Murphy, Alan Devlin
Director: Tony Bill
Studio: Walt Disney Video
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

Dickens Package 1
Dickensian Delights
opinion
lovely , region 1 only
Good value

The Charles Dickens Collection (Oliver Twist / Martin Chuzzlewit / Bleak House / Hard Times / Great Expectations / Our Mutual Friend)
Starring: Ben Rodska , Scott Funnell , Eric Porter , Frank Middlemass , and Lysette Anthony
Director: Gareth Davies , Pedr James , and Ross Devenish
Manufacturer: BBC Warner
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The Charles Dickens Collection, Vol. 2 (David Copperfield / The Pickwick Papers / The Old Curiosity Shop / Dombey and Son)
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Middlemarch
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Bleak House

ASIN: B0009PVZMS
Release Date: 2005-09-06

Amazon.com

As can be clearly seen from the care lavished on these six BBC adaptions of Charles Dickens' novels, the British love their Dickens! And why not--Dickens is ideally suited to television, with his elaborate but vigorous plots, each a compendium of comically odious personalities (and one or two nice folk, just to keep things from getting too awful). Actors dig into these meaty roles with zeal, delighting in the hairpin turns from macabre horror to sweet sentiment. The more popular (and most frequently adapted) of the books at hand--Great Expectations and Oliver Twist--are the most conventional. The 1981 mini-series Expectations (in which young Pip learns the pitfalls of wealth through his relationship with the rich and bitter Mrs. Havishamand and her warped ward, Estella) is dutiful to its source but not adapted with much inspiration. Twist, from 1985, fares better; it's a zippy treatment of this tale of childhood deprivation and juvenile delinquency, and the horrors of Victorian orphanages will raise your hackles. The adaptation is capable but a little flat--still, any story where an undertaker observes, "Every tear is another shilling in the till," is clearly not lacking in wicked wit.

Fortunately, the others are considerably juicier: Martin Chuzzlewit, a lesser-known but richly satirical book, has a star-studded production from 1994, featuring Paul Scofield, Tom Wilkinson, Pete Postlethwaite, and Julia Sawalha, among others. The wealthy Martin Chuzzlewit, deeply suspicious of all mankind due to being hounded by greedy, grasping relatives, threatens the happiness of his ward Mary and his namesake grandson. In addition to the sterling and energetic cast, Chuzzlewit has outstanding production values, as does the 1998 version of Our Mutual Friend, which goes to great lengths to evoke the textures of life in Dickens' London. The mysterious death of a man about to inherit a great fortune sets in motion a complex plot that intertwines two love stories (it's one of Dickens' most romantic works), social scheming, and murderous obsession. The names aren't quite as famous (such as Paul McGann, Timothy Spall, Anna Friel, and Keeley Hawes), but the performances are top-notch and the script is particularly dynamic.

Bleak House, a Kafka-esque story of young innocents caught in an all-consuming, multi-generational lawsuit, cultivates a rich and potent Gothic horror; the 19th century seems like an unnerving alien world, through which lawyers and policemen stride like cruel predators. Diana Rigg is the most famous face in this 1985 production, but strong performances abound. The final component of this box set is the most curious: A 1994 version of Hard Times starring Alan Bates and Richard E. Grant, which turns this dark story--about a schoolmaster/politician who raises his children on reason at the expense of all feeling and finally reaps the bitter rewards--into a compact, theatrical feature film that's so swift it's almost jaunty. Adapted and directed by Peter Barnes (writer of The Ruling Class), it's the most stylized production of the bunch, and while lacking the depth and narrative detail of the others, it effectively cuts to the essence of Dickens. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

Dickens Package 1.......2007-06-27

This collection is an embarassment of riches. Each story is divided into several episodes which take time to view and absorb. So far we have only viewed "Bleak House" and "Our Mutual Friend". Both are excellent and capture the steamy world of Dicken's London. I think I am constantly amazed at the attention to detail that the Brits recreate in historical drama. And of course there is the wealth of character playing for which Britain has always been famous. A really excellent series.

Dickensian Delights.......2007-06-02

This collection is wonderful, you can "watch" these novels over and over, faithful to Dickens in tone, plot and spirit -- Highly recommended.

opinion.......2007-06-02

I've just bought the collection, I've seen 3 movies so far, they're great, faithful to the books I've read. They come with cc(closed caption)so it helps the understanding. I watch a film and read the book. They're perfect for those who are really into literature. I highly recommend them.

lovely , region 1 only .......2007-05-08

The dark stories about the impossible lives of the unfortunate makes it a kind of films that will glue anyone to the chair. BBC serieses are not like any other film, and I simply escape to anothr world every time I watch.
Had to watch it in my computer though, since it was not my region( not even after I changed the region in my "region free" DVD player ) which also means I had no subtitles either. A good computer screen is needed for that purpose.

Good value.......2007-03-28

My husband and I are major fanatics when it comes to literary
pieces brought to film. We have been renting some of these classic BBC films from an online rental business. We finally decided to buy the set. My husband, being a english teacher, loved several of these films. The best two out of the set is Martin Chuzzlewit and Our Mutual Friend. It is a shame that Hard Times did not live up to the book and was only roughly based off of it. We just finished Oliver Twist, not knowing the story at all, we were on the of our seats just waiting to hear the big twist and to see how the plot works itself out. Highly recommended, even with Hard Times being not faithful to the book.

Average customer rating:

Don't compare Polanski's Oliver to Lionel Bart's.
Highly Underrated -- Kingsley is King!
Pretty good...but not the best
Good movie about the classic novel!
A Great Film

Oliver Twist (2005)
Starring: Barney Clark , Jeremy Swift , Ian McNeice , Richard Durden , and Timothy Bateson
Director: Roman Polanski , and Laurent Bouzereau
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
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ASIN: B000C20VU0
Release Date: 2006-01-24

Amazon.com

If Charles Dickens were alive to see Roman Polanski's faithful adaptation of Oliver Twist, he'd probably give it his stamp of approval. David Lean's celebrated 1948 version of the Dickens classic and Carol Reed's Oscar®-winning 1968 musical are more entertaining in some ways, but Polanski's rendition is both painstakingly authentic (with superb cinematography and production design) and deeply rooted in the emotional context of the story. Both Polanski and Dickens had personal experiences similar to those of young Oliver (played here by Barney Clark) -- Polanski in the Nazi-occupied ghettos of Poland during World War II, and Dickens during his hard-scrabble youth in Victorian London -- and this spiritual kinship lends a certain gravitas to the tale of a tenacious orphan who escaped from indentured servitude in London society and is taken in by Fagin (Ben Kingsley) and his streetwise gang of pickpockets. As the evil Bill Sykes, who exploits Oliver for his own nefarious needs, Jamie Foreman is no match for Oliver Reed (in the '68 musical) in terms of frightening menace, but even here, Polanski's direction hews closer to Dickens, while the screenplay by Ronald Harwood (who also wrote Polanski's The Pianist) necessarily trims away subplots and characters for the sake of narrative economy. All in all, this Oliver Twist rises above most previous versions, and with the benefit of Kingsley's nuanced performance, Polanski arrives at a compassionate conclusion that captures the essence of Dickens' novel in a way that viewers of all ages will appreciate for many years to come. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Roman Polanski directs the classic Charles Dickens story of a young orphan boy who gets involved with a gang of pickpockets in 19th Century London. Abandoned at an early age, Oliver Twist (Barney Clark) is forced to live in a workhouse lorded over by the awful Mr. Bumble, who cheats the boys of their meager rations. Desperate yet determined, Oliver makes his escape to the streets of London. Penniless and alone, he is lured into a world of crime by the sinister Fagin (Academy-Award® winner Sir Ben Kingsley) -- the mastermind of a gang of pint-sized pickpockets. Oliver's rescue by the kindly Mr. Brownlow is only the beginning of a series of adventures that lead him to the promise of a better life.

Customer Reviews:

Don't compare Polanski's Oliver to Lionel Bart's........2007-05-18

This is obviously much darker than the musical, and therefore closer to Dickens. Where affection could be developed for Ron Moody as Fagin, I found Polanski's Fagin competely repellant; leering corruption -if that was what the actor was trying to convey, full marks to him.

It was a worthwile watch and Rachel Portman's score was delightful.

Highly Underrated -- Kingsley is King!.......2007-05-08

This little-noticed gem came and went quickly from our screens. It deserves another look. Polanski has teased out a faithful, compelling retelling of the Twist story, and has populated the film with memorable characterizations.

Particularly wonderful is Leanne Rowe as Nancy, and of course Ben Kingsley really steals the movie as the nuanced, deeply conflicted Fagen.

The camera work is superb, London is recreated in all its tawdry, highly stratified glory, and the brisk pace moves this film along much better than earlier versions of the Dickens' classic.

I love this film; it is surprisingly entertaining and a fine entry in the Polanski canon.

Pretty good...but not the best.......2007-04-13

Not bad. It's nice to see some of the details of the novel rendered clearly on film. The character of Nancy is particularly well done and wholly believable. But David Lean's version is superior as film making and much more watchable. It's a better film. Be sure to see it too. Why anyone likes the musical made from this story is beyond me!

Good movie about the classic novel!.......2007-03-11

I am the fan of "Roman Polanski". I watched the movie from the theatre and now I broguht the DVD too! It is a movie about the life and adventure of a kid and I really enjoy the movie although it only focus on a few key actors. You should also watch the special features from the DVD. I own the 2 Disc version.

A Great Film.......2007-02-17

I had trouble getting to see this movie in the theatres. It was only in the first run theatres about 1 week and when I went to see it at the cheap theatres, the projector had broken down and they weren't showing it that day. It left soon after. Watching this movie on DVD, I am stunned that it didn't get better showings or press. This movie is great and it deserved better treatment than it got. Yes, I love the David Lean version too, but that doesn't lessen the impact of this film. I liked it better than The Piano and it could turn out to be one of Roman Polanski's greatest films. One of the great under appreciated films.

Average customer rating:

Kitchen fun with all your mates
Totally Mesmerising!
Perfect for cooks of any level
No matter who you are.....you'll LOVE this DVD!
just a fan

Oliver's Twist 2
Starring: Jamie Oliver (II)
Director: Brian Klein
Manufacturer: Capital Entertainment
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ASIN: B000A0D1JW
Release Date: 2005-09-06

Description

Whether making a classic Irish dish or an authentic Brazilian feijoada, Jamie Oliver shows us how to shop for the freshest ingredients then it's back to his flat where he rustles up some tasty dishes for his friends. Let the party begin.

Customer Reviews:

Kitchen fun with all your mates.......2006-12-21

If you liked Steve Irwin (RIP), you're gonna love cookin' with Jamie. He fills the kitchen with the same sort of exuberance, but more youthful. No question that he is a likable bloke with passion and talent, but to me, his TV shtick - "Hey, I'm gonna meet some of my mates down at the pub, and we're gonna to do some gourmet cooking while skateboarding" -- is a little phony.

Television cooking has had a few wooden characters whose skill and precision were more intimidating than inspiring. But that seems to me hardly the rule. It is not like Jamie is filling a huge need to show people how to loosen up and have some fun in the kitchen.

Jamie is subliminally appealing to the common conceit of youth that all that is needed for art (culinary art, or any other worthy accomplishment) is the chaos of youthful enthusiasm. I know that Jamie is a very successful chef and restauranteur. I do not believe for one moment that he has achieved that success without some adult seriousness.

Unfortunately, Jamie's insistence on his scooter-riding, fun-loving persona gets in the way of teaching much of anything about food. The show is fast-paced and chaotic, much more about Jamie's madcap style than about the food itself.

Because he does convey what I believe is a genuine passion, and perhaps genius, for cooking, and is likable and amusing, I give him more stars than I could ever justify if the criteria were closely tied to the DVD's value as a teaching/learning tool.

Totally Mesmerising!.......2006-08-23

Day off, time on my hands, this DVD just arrived. Popped it into the Dell computer and was totally enchanted and entertained all day! By the end of the first episode I was just craving some good food! I don't know why I waited until now to start buying Jame Oliver's cookbooks and DVDs. I guess I saved the best for last. I now have virtually everything on amazon with Jamie's name on it. Really looking forward to his new Italian cookery book for sure. I always loved watching his shows on Food Network. It's even better in the comfort of your own home. I was astonished at all of the handy-dandy (or easy-peasy) cooking tips he gives on these episodes. Be sure and have a pencil and pad by your side as you watch each segment because you are going to want to jot these down for future cooking experiences. Fish, veggies, meat, herbs, cheeses, you name it, he's got it. So simple. All the food is affordable and easy to cook. Of course you'll notice some products we can't get here in the US but there are equally good substitutes available. So simple, so easy to follow, so very entertaining. Want to just give him a big hug! I just ordered the first DVD. Can't wait!

Perfect for cooks of any level.......2005-09-20

I am a chef and was interested in this DVD because I believe that Jamie Oliver is not only talented but inspiring in a way. I don't usually buy cooking shows on DVD but decided to give this one a chance, and I'm thrilled that I did.

It's not just the recipes that Jamie takes us through that makes this DVD so valuable, but it's the WAY in which he approaches cooking. He's a proponent of buying local, organic food and cooking it in fresh, fast and interesting ways. Sure, he has a certain charm about him, but that charm, I believe, comes from his love of what he does (more than the way he looks). That love of food and cooking is infectious, and that is what gives this DVD power.

I think that this DVD would be a lovely gift for anyone who is interested in cooking. (I bought it as a gift for myself and have thanked me repeatedly!) This has certainly changed my mind about cooking DVDs and I'll now be purchasing the rest of the Jamie Oliver catalog as well!

No matter who you are.....you'll LOVE this DVD!.......2005-09-15

This DVD set is packed full of wonderful recipes and of course, Jamie Oliver's infectious style. He's out and about on his moped in London, stopping off at shops and cooking for all kinds of people. My daughter always sings along to the theme song when I play this DVD. To sum up, this is a fun, colorful and informative DVD. There are some great tips and the recipe cards included are a bonus. For anyone that has never watched one of Jamie's show, or if you just wish they'd show more on Food TV, this DVD is a money well spent!

just a fan.......2005-08-12

If this is anything like the first one, which I am sure it is, it will be most brilliant, the dishes fantastic, and simply entertaining from start to finish! We put this on when we have friends over to get their mouths watering before we serve one of Jamie's dishes for dinner!! Cheers!

Oliver Twist (1948) - Criterion Collection

Average customer rating:

Oliver Twist
A Gift Purchase
THE GENIUS OF DAVID LEAN
The best version of Dickens' immortal story on film.
Bleak and black, a heart of light in a world of night !

Oliver Twist (1948) - Criterion Collection
Starring: Robert Newton , Alec Guinness , Kay Walsh , Francis L. Sullivan , and John Howard Davies
Director: David Lean
Manufacturer: Criterion
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Oliver Twist (2005)

ASIN: B00000F17A
Release Date: 1999-01-12

Amazon.com

David Lean's 1948 version of Charles Dickens' classic novel begins with a bang: the young hero's pregnant mother fighting her way through a storm, a perfect metaphor for Oliver's difficult road ahead. Set in a world of slums in the shadow of Victorian England, the story traces the boy's life in a workhouse and then with a gang of little pickpockets. A stark but good-looking film shot around some impressive sets, Lean's immortal adaptation is perhaps best known for Alec Guinness's remarkable (and slightly controversial) performance as Fagin, the old mentor to the gang of boy thieves. --Tom Keogh

Description

Expressionistic noir photography suffuses David Lean's Oliver Twist with a nightmarish quality, fitting its bleak, industrial setting. In Dickens' classic tale, an orphan wends his way from cruel apprenticeship to den of thieves in search of a true home. Here Alec Guinness is the quintessential Fagin, his controversial performance fully restored in Criterion's new digital transfer.

Customer Reviews:

Oliver Twist.......2007-06-25

This masterful adaptation of a Charles Dickens novel was the second for Lean, who abridged the author's long-winded story about a young orphan's changing fortunes in Victorian England into a beautifully paced two-hour film. Among a splendid cast, Guinness and Robert Newton are truly exceptional, respectively playing the captivating Fagin and his evil accomplice, Bill Sikes, with gusto. Also fun to watch is young Anthony Newley as the Artful Dodger. Essentially a tale of triumph in a world of degrading poverty and repellent class bias, "Oliver Twist" is a first-rate drama brimming with hope, pathos, and fury, from opening shot to last.

A Gift Purchase.......2007-06-01

I purchased this for my son-in-law's birthday. He is very happy with it and consideres it the best version of "Oliver Twist" that he has ever seen!

THE GENIUS OF DAVID LEAN.......2007-04-25

David Lean is best known for his super epics, like Lawrence Of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago and Bridge On The River Kwai. But earlier in his career, he did some outstanding films based on the plays of Noel Coward (like Brief Encounter) and on the works of Dickens (like Great Expectations). His film Oliver Twist, from 1948, is an early masterpiece.

You can see the genius of Lean in every frame; but there is one scene in particular that stands out. It is the one in which Bill Sikes is beating Nancy to death for giving the names of him and the rest of their gang to Mr. Brownlow. Lean doesn't show the actual beating, but he shows the reaction to it by someone else in the room: Bill Sike's dog. All you hear are the girl's screams and all you see is the dog, terrified, frantically trying to get out of the room by clawing his way through the door. It is one of the most terrifying scenes I've ever watched, and yet you don't see one bit of violence. It is incredible.

Eventually, Sikes lets the dog out, and he leaves in a panic. Later, Sikes finds the dog in the streets, and he cowers before his master. I've never seen a dog tremble like he does in this scene. It, too, is incredible, and the dog should have gotten an Oscar.

Genius finds new and more effective ways to accomplish things that would normally be considered distasteful or inappropriate.

The other scene that stands out to me is near the end, when the crowd is coming to get Sikes. It is the climax of the film, and it is powerful. I've never seen a crowd scene more spectacular, or a climax more suspenseful. There's also never been a more terrifying villain than Bill Sikes (played menacingly by Robert Newton), especially in the eyes of a boy. He contrasts nicely with Oliver Twist (played by John Howard Davies) and his innocence.

Oliver Twist was banned in this country (it's British) when it came out in 1948 because the Film Board felt Alec Guinness' portrayal of Fagan was anti-Semitic. It is over-the-top, especially the nose. But Guinness is genius. Kay Walsh as Nancy, Francis L. Sullivan as Mr. Brumble, Henry Stephenson as Mr. Brownlow and Anthony Newly as the Artful Dodger are also outstanding.

Waitsel Smith

The best version of Dickens' immortal story on film. .......2006-07-12

This film of Dickens' "Oliver Twist" from 1948 is still the best that has ever been done. The choices made to tell the story in two hours are quite amazing in the detail and sub plots and choice dialogue from the book that they still keep in. David Lean can do all this because of his masterful work with the camera. The scenes are so evocative of London Dickens paints in the novel. There is faceless barren despair in the workhouse, smoke and decay in London slum near St. Paul's Cathedral, and the light and beauty of Clerkenwell (that was back then) where the wealthy Mr. Brownlow lives.

The black and white filming actually adds to the light and shadow of the story and helps evoke the right moods as much as any musical score. I think it is actually a plus for this film even though it is a bit of a chore getting young people to cue in on the contributions of black and white over color pictures. Still, my youngest son could clearly see why this was a great telling of the story.

Here we have a thirty-three year old Alec Guinness made up in a way that probably would not work nowadays and emphasizes Fagin's Jewishness, but doesn't make Fagin out to be anything more than he is as a person. Guinness does NOT make Fagin out to be bad because he is a Jew, but rather that he is a miserly criminal who happens to be Jewish. It is a fine portrayal of Fagin and masterfully acted.

Robert Newton is very threatening as the monster Bill Sikes. He pulls the job off quite well and we get a very complex picture of his attitudes towards Fagin, Nancy, and the world. As an aside, Newton was a very popular actor who harmed his career and shortened his life with drink, as did Oliver Reed who portrayed Sikes so well in "Oliver!". Just a strange coincidence.

Kay Walsh does a fine job with Nancy, who is portrayed more as she is in the book rather than the heroine she is made to be in the musical and in some sloppy versions on film or for TV. She was married to Lean at the time although they divorced in 1949. John Howard Davies really does look the part of the small and slight Oliver Twist and acts out the role quite well. He had a fine career but mostly as a director and producer including Monty Python's Flying Circus in 1969.

We also get to see the young Anthony Newly (all of sixteen) as the Artful Dodger and many other wonderful character actors as well as a huge cast of extras. Remember, this was only a couple of years after World War II and there were a lot of people grateful for any kind of work for any length of time.

This is an immortal story that millions still love to read, hear, and see. This is a telling of the story that is awfully good. While I still recommend the book most of all, if you are going to watch a film version, this is the one I would start with and recommend most highly.

Bleak and black, a heart of light in a world of night !.......2006-06-10

This 1948 version of Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist is one to remember. First you have Dickens and his vision of the world, a black and white vision, good and evil at the same time in the same society but not in the same people, though at least one woman has been forced to be bad but she was not and she will betray her tormentors who will kill her. The murderer will hang for it. Then there is the poor and how Dickens' society treats them, deals with them in the famous parish workhouses, and among these poor Dickens concentrates on the young, the children. No education, work as soon as they are nine, if not even earlier with menial tasks in the workhouse, lean by starving, not to death but to survival. In contrast the rich, or the wealthy who stuff themselves into apoplexy, selfishness and inhumanity. Yet this society is also inhabited and haunted by the good who are not necessarily among the wealthy or the poor. The good are spread out in the whole society and it is when some good ones meet across the divide of wealth that miracles can happen. Oliver Twist is such a miracle. We will never know why his mother fled her family but we know Oliver's future is in the hands of fate, some call it God, and his genes. Fate will be the accidental if not incidental meeting of Oliver with his grandfather on a street in London when the boys who have picked him from the gutter are trying to rob this grandfather in front of a bookstore. Dickens of course adds another element that is difficult to swallow with grace : the boss of the thieves, Fagin, is an obvious Jew and the movie does not need to say so, it shows it with his crooked nose and his avariciousness. In 1948 that was no courage to keep that detail, no fidelity to Dickens either because it could have been made discreet and it is not, it is as visible as the nose in the middle of the face. That leads me to the film. Black and white, it is a marvellous masterpiece. This black and white universe of the film is in perfect agreement with Dickens' social and human vision. It emphasizes the bleakness of this universe and it can concentrate on the main color of London at the time of coal, soot, smog and some other evils of coal-burning : it was black, so black that even the red color of the bricks was no longer visible. This blackness reflects the shadow that has crept and invaded the human soul in this victorian society. You just add rain, constant rain, all kinds of stairs and scaffoldings, misery, poverty and dirt, absolute discomfort, cold, dampness, miserable food, alcoholism, and you have it all, except must I say consumption. A miracle is possible and a miracle happens. Oliver Twist is reunited with his grandparents.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University of Paris Dauphine & University of Paris I Pantheon-Sorbonne

Oliver Twist (Masterpiece Theatre, 1999)

Average customer rating:

great film
supernal
An ersatz production of a dickens masterpiece
A fine drama, but you must not call it Dickens
A good adventure.

Oliver Twist (Masterpiece Theatre, 1999)
Starring: Sam Smith (III) , David Ross , Julie Walters , Roger Lloyd-Pack , and Ger Ryan
Director: Renny Rye
Manufacturer: Wgbh Boston
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0001WTUJE
Release Date: 2004-04-13

Description

In this extraordinary production, storyteller Alan Bleasdale broadens the scope of Charles Dickens' classic tale of an orphan in 19th century England—and the characters who influence his destiny.

Oliver's mother, Agnes, struggles against the tragic circumstances that ultimately leave Oliver a penniless orphan. At the Parish Workhouse, he is forced by other boys to ask for more food, and as a result, is sold as an apprentice to a miserly undertaker. He runs away and is taken in by master thief Fagin, who is in league with a murderous pair determined to see that Oliver never inherits the fortune he deserves. Life twists and turns again and again for Oliver, landing him in alternately dangerous and hopeful circumstances.

Oliver Twist is a drama of dark comedy, astonishing vivacity and soaring imagination, but ultimately, it is a story that celebrates the resilience and triumph of a little boy's spirit.

Special DVD features include: materials and activities for educators; a link to the Masterpiece Theatre Web site; closed captions; and described video for the visually impaired.

On three DVD5 discs. Region coding: All regions. Audio: Dolby stereo. Screen format: Letterboxed.

Customer Reviews:

great film.......2007-05-23

i'v seen oliver twist before,bur never so good and,whit great actors like this.fans off dickens must really see this one.and of corse Michael Kithen
in a brilliant rool,but he is a very good actor and my favorit

supernal.......2007-05-14

Having no life, I make a point of trying to see every "Masterpiece Theatre" or BBC-type historical drama that I can.

And I would have to say, this is probably the best I've ever seen. It's just so shattering, so beautiful, so emotionally exhausting to watch. It's one of those movies that are so good that you forget you're really watching a bunch of actors, with lights, cameras, clapboards, etc. You find yourself totally immersed.

One thing you should know is that, whether you get this movie on DVD or on VHS, there are three parts, each about 2 hours.

Surprisingly, though, only the second and third parts are, strictly speaking, adapted from Dickens's novel. The first part is the prequel: in the novel, the exact circumstances of Twist's provenance are left murky. The first part of this series, made only for this "Masterpiece Theatre" production, is a two-hour spelling out of where he came from. They've definitely taken some license there.

But incredibly, the first part -- the one not based directly on Dickens's writings -- is for me the most gripping and well-written of the three! I can't believe how good it is. Fits right in and then some.

One other note: I'm probably not giving away anything by announcing that in the end, everything is set right and just desserts are apportioned to all. Yet so crushing and infuriating is the Hell through which the waif Oliver must pass, that one is left to wonder if, even though the bad guys do get what's coming to them, the horrors we have seen are really made up for.

To tell you the truth, notwithstanding my regard for this production, I find myself unable to sit through it a second time. The actors playing Monks, Bill, and Fagin do such a convincing, harrowing job of being evil to Oliver, that I simply can't take it, even though I know everything will be all right in the end. It's just too much for me.

I also find this true of the book. It's probably the only work of Dickens that leaves me with the feeling, when I put it back on the shelf, that the moral universe is still fundamentally out of whack.

An ersatz production of a dickens masterpiece.......2007-04-11

I was thoroughly disappointed in both Masterpiece Theater and its production of Oliver Twist. The lengthy first disk contained virtually nothing out of the original Dickens novel. The characters behaved and spoke their lines as if they acting in a contemporary period made-for-TV melodrama. Oliver's father's wife seemed to trying out her lines for a voiceover as Disney's Cruella Deville. As far as a realistic portrayal of early Victorian life, viewers should remember that any man who took an umarried middle class woman's virginity was not, and never could be, a gentleman. The prtrayal of the Beadle and the other characters in the workhouse scenes were farcical. I ceased to watch at this point. For a classic depiction of the novel on film watch the 1948 British production directed by David Lean.

A fine drama, but you must not call it Dickens.......2007-03-11

I greatly enjoyed this DVD series for what it was -- a fine drama. The production values are high and the acting is uniformly good. (Andy Serkis is especially loathsome as Bill Sykes.) However, the television "adaptation" merely borrows some characters and situations from the novel. All of the first 90 minute episode takes place before the novel even begins. It's interesting, and entertaining, to see what the script writer has made of the pre-history of young Oliver Twist. But after he enters on the scene in the second episode, the drama strays farther and farther from the story Dickens wrote. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as the story this film tells is a good story, and well told. It's just not Dickens. It bears a resemblence to Dickens, but only such resemblence as chicken soup bears to the roasted fowl. Whilst wholesome and tasty, it's not the same thing.

Enjoy this for what it is, but look for the older BBC dramatisation for a truer representation of Dicken's novel.

(Note: my review is based on the ITV version as released in the UK. I'm not sure if the programme was broken into the same episodes for US television.)

A good adventure........2006-08-19

Oliver Twist is a great adventure story of the struggles of a poor boy in England in the 1800's. The characters are realistic, interesting, people you don't meet everyday. Never a dull moment. I have seen five versions of Oliver Twist, and liked them all. You are taken to another time and place of adventure.

Other great period, adventure movies are "Tom Brown's School Days 1935", "David Copperfield 1940 & 2000", "The Prince & the Pauper", "At Swords Point 1952", "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer 1938", "The Three Musketeers 1939", and "The Scarlet Pimpernel 1935".

Average customer rating:

Oliver Comes "Home"
Never better!
The Little Blue Boy Plays The Artful Dodger
oliver1997
Strictly for Elijah Wood Fans

Oliver Twist (1997)
Starring: Richard Dreyfuss , Elijah Wood , David O'Hara , Alex Trench , and Antoine Byrne
Director: Tony Bill
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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Oliver Twist (2005)

ASIN: B0001I55TC
Release Date: 2004-08-03

Description

The popular Dickens classic comes to life as never before with an all-star cast including Richard Dreyfuss (MR. HOLLAND'S OPUS) as the notorious Fagin, and Elijah Wood (THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy) as The Artful Dodger. Set in bustling 19th-century England, the story follows the journey of young Oliver Twist, a poor orphan who dares to ask for something more. Oliver soon finds himself on the streets of London, and gets caught for a crime he didn't commit. Experience this sweeping tale of loyalty, greed, and compassion that is sure to win the hearts of your entire family!

Customer Reviews:

Oliver Comes "Home".......2007-06-13

I would give this review 3 1/2 stars if I could, but I've got to settle on a tentative 4. This is maybe the best family film based on Dicken's classic story of Oliver. With excessive characters and side-plots done away with in recrafting the main plot, it's less dense without being too fluffy, and it's gritty enough without being (as the novel is, at times) frighteningly violent. Most of the actors carry their parts well, except for the man who played as Bill Sykes, and the child actor who played as Oliver. Elijah Wood did good acting, with his facial expressions and body-language delivering the right emotions at the right time, and though his accent wasn't the most brilliant I've ever heard, he was entirely consistent in his usage of it, which is saying a lot! He fell short, due to misguided directing, of living up to the name of "Artful Dodger". It was very, very silly to have him leading around such a huge band of little theives. In real life, they would have made the police suspicious and been arrested within an hour . . . but that wasn't Wood's fault. In the book Fagin sent the boys out in either alone or in small groups. The Artful and Charley Bates were a twosome, and then when Oliver joined them they were a trio -- and the Artful always made sure they remained inconspicuous. As for Sykes, this movie's interpretation of him was so cartoonish it was all but laughable. Sykes in the book was less ranting and more cruely sarcastic, less of a raving hot-head and more coldly menacing. Though he often was hysterically violent, the creepy thing about him was that his *bite* was always worse than his *bark*. Fagin is a lost cause -- he is not Dicken's Fagin. But the actor carried well the part of the Fagin custom-made for this movie. The one thing that should definately have been changed was the potrayel of Oliver: the child actor who played him was as composed in all the filth and violence as a school-boy who just stepped off the bus.

Never better!.......2006-11-09

Wow! I'm speechless! What a great film! I was so happy to see this movie. Now for the characters... Richard Dreyfus made a great Fagin. He was very funny. Antoine Byrne was ssssssssssssooooooooooo great for Nancy. Totaly perfect. She made a splendid Nancy,and touched my heart. Oh my was she good! I've got to meet her! David O'Hara was so great and freaky,when he killed Nancy. I was frozen to the T.v. but it's just acting. Well now for Eligah Wood very well done. He was totally perfect for Dodger,just perfect! So was Oliver [Alex Trench] I was so glad when he got his freedom away from that horrible Mrs. Bumble! Well ta ta friends!

The Little Blue Boy Plays The Artful Dodger.......2005-12-21

First off I want to say that I'm a Elijah Wood fan so I have nothing against this gifted actor but I was very disappointed in this version of Oliver Twist and I hate to have to say this but I think he was not right for the part of Artful Dodger. Not only was his British accent poor but the way he looked in the movie in his costumes made me think he was posing for a painting like The Little Blue Boy Painting.

oliver1997.......2005-08-10

Awfull,want to see a good version try Oliver 1967 (only available in UK)Or wait until September 05 yet another version is being released

Strictly for Elijah Wood Fans.......2005-08-06

Charles Dickens has been served amply on film with all but two of his epic Novels (Dombey & Son and Barnaby Rudge) committed to at least one film. The Novella A Christmas Carol has had at least 20 treatments, and close behind it is Oliver Twist. Unfortunately, the Disney TV Oliver Twist does not serve Dickens well, having obliterated most of the delicate balance that the Novel maintains to have credibility. Well, we do forgive and overlook certain things with a classic, but the only contribution this film makes is the performance of Elijah Wood in a very different interpretation of Jack Dawkins, the Artful Dodger.

The film lacks many main and important characters-Mr. Bumble, the Beetle being the most prominent. Some characters, like Mrs. Corney, are transposed into new roles to cover for missing characters. Disney's London is representational and Fagin's boys are not even sympathetic. Dickens created a world where the orphan is the victim of the environment-the baby farm, the workhouse, the fence, the courts, and prison. Oliver, Jack Dawkins, Bill Sikes and Fagin are the four stages of the fall into depravity at society's hands. Then, why, in this film don't we give a flip about Oliver? He doesn't even appear to be in danger. Maybe because the writers thought Oh, well, everyone knows this story. So let's just give them the parts they want to see and forget the rest. Unfortunately, the beef is removed and the broth has evaporated.

Richard Dreyfuss gives us a caricature of Fagin-rarely threatening, never the tyrannical Jew that Dickens despised and scapegoated and, above all, let's him get away scot-free at the end. In the novel, Fagin goes to the gallows. But we mustn't show the kiddies that! Fagin's character never grows. In addition, Bill Sikes is never as psycho as Dickens portrayed him. David O'Hara presents us with a stage villain, who is more greed than certifiable. Alex Trench as Oliver walks through his role much like David Copperfield does. Except, Dickens' David Copperfield is one of literature blandest creations. Oliver is a harrowing role-purity under complete and utter assault. Not here folks.

Elijah Wood, as the Artful Dodger, is the only actor who both entertains and performs, developing the character to its fullest. Unfortunately, since none of that character's arc is really Dickensian, it serves to heighten the fault with both script and the other performances, That leaves us with a frame for an Elijah Wood showcase.

The sinister plot line that involves Oliver's true heritage is so obliterated in the film that the relationships between Mr. Brownlow and Oliver are actually stated as Grandson and Grandfather. There is no lurking Edward in the background. Rose is a sweet sister like figure instead of Oliver's aunt, haunted by the nightmare of her childhood. Even Mrs. Bedwin, a wonderful Dickens creation, becomes a minor housekeeper with two lines and a tea tray. Nancy, played by Antoine Byrne, is not half so good as she could be and none of the tense emotions that split her between lover and motherhood are presented. I guess we're suppose to have read the book and assume that they are there.

So, what do we have in Disney's Oliver Twist? A thin remnant and bastardized story line from the original-washed faces, both the streets of London and its urchins, a merry old Fagin, a stage murderer, some milk toast ancillaries and a powerful Artful Dodger, who upstages the rest of the cast. Except for a glimpse of Elijah Wood's first adult performance and the intelligence of his stylings, stick to the older OT's-Dickie Moore and Jackie Cooper. C-

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Jamie's Brilliant!
Going to London
Love the theme song!
Fantastic! Step Aside Emeril and Wolfgang!!!
Oh My God

Jamie Oliver - Oliver's Twist
Starring: Jamie Oliver (II)
Director: Patricia Llewellyn
Manufacturer: Shout Factory
ProductGroup: DVD
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Jamie Oliver - Jamie's Kitchen
The Naked Chef [Region 2]
Jamie's Dinners: The Essential Family Cookbook

ASIN: B0000C0FMW
Release Date: 2003-10-14

Amazon.com

One could do worse than be a part of Jamie Oliver's life. His daughter's babysitters are treated to the young chef's gourmet-chocolate tiramisu, his hard-partying mates drag themselves to morning-after fry-up feasts and Bloody Mary pitchers, and his band (London's Scarlet Division) fill up on exquisite vegetarian cuisine. This collection of seven Oliver's Twist episodes, originally broadcast in America on the Food Network, are enormous fun, grounded in the gregarious star's daily life of family, friends, mentors, suppliers--even the local cops. Absolutely everyone parades through Oliver's surprisingly modest kitchen to dine on lovingly prepared masterworks fusing tradition with improvisational brilliance. Whether the menu calls for high tea, a Bollywood theme night, or a gorgeous health-food breakfast, Oliver's affection for his work and his people makes for addictive viewing. --Tom Keogh

Description

Jamie Oliver (The Naked Chef) knows the best places to buy food in London. In this DVD, Oliver's Twist, Jamie takes us to his favorite stores, and then it's back to his place to cook up fantastic food for family and friends. In Jamie's unique style he gives culinary advice and great tips as he grills, grinds, roasts and fries. And with food on the table, let the good times roll! This DVD contains 7 classic episodes from his Oliver's Twist TV series as seen on the Food Network.

"I think that the show's success is down to me being me - an ordinary bloke who's just passionate about good food - and people can relate to that. Even now, blokes who've never done more than open a packet come up to me and tell me that they've started cooking. That's the best result ever as all I ever wanted to do was to make food accessible to everyone; to show that you can make mistakes - I do all the time - but it doesn't matter." -Jamie Oliver

EPISODES
1) World Cup Breakfast: After a big night out what better way for Jamie and his mates to recover than a morning watching soccer with a full Oliver breakfast.
2) Scarlet Division: Jamie drums up some vegetarian tukka as he gets together with his band for a jamming session.
3) The Bill: When Jamie pays a visit to his mates on the set of The Bill, three cops are delighted to accept his invitation to dinner.
4) Wild City: Horseradish outside your house? Rocket by the roadside? Jamie and his mentor Gennaro show how, even in the middle of a city, Mother Nature does provide.
5) Tiger: Jamie's grandmother, Tiger, and her friends are in London for a day out, so Jamie invites them over for afternoon tea.
6) Bollywood: Jamie goes Indian as he hosts a Bollywood night with all the trimmings.
7) Chocolate: As a bribe for babysitting Poppy, Jamie offers the girls the one thing they can't resist chocolate, and lots of it.

Customer Reviews:

Jamie's Brilliant!.......2006-04-12

I love all his shows especially Oliver's Twist. Love the theme song, the concept of inviting friends to enjoy his food, and absolutely loved Jamie's kitchen interior in Oliver's Twist. I love his style of cooking where you don't have to be an expert to create a delightful dish. Everything he does is just magic :D

Truly recommended!

Going to London.......2005-08-09

My fiance is just learning to cook and moving to London ... this DVD was the perfect gift since it gives the vibes of British culture while at the same time teaching how to shop and cook on the London streets. Great buy! She loved it.

Love the theme song!.......2003-11-15

I first noticed Jamie Oliver after hearing the catchy theme song - by Leigh Haggerwood - that begins the 'Oliver's Twist' rollercoaster ride. This DVD contains the best episodes from the first series, full of Jamies enthusiasm and British charm. The recipes are mouth watering, and with all the vibrant colours and London life, it's a joy to watch from beginning to end. My particular favourite is the episode where his band Scarlet Division perform the theme song out on the street and Jamie gives it some on his drum kit. I think everyone will enjoy this DVD!

Fantastic! Step Aside Emeril and Wolfgang!!!.......2003-10-19

Jamie Oliver, hands down, is the most entertaining chef on broadcast television. I was completely entertained by this DVD. It allowed me to navigate from recipe to recipe, which was so nice to use when preparing some of his amazingly delicious and simple recipes. After watching this DVD I feel as though I could prepare any gourmet meal for any number of guests. And did I forget to mention how freaking adorable he is. I will admit the first time I watched it I could only focus on his adorable features and charisma and then I watched again and observed his unbelievable uncomplicated style of gourmet cuisine. Oh, and the recipes were great - basically fresh and healthy ingredients with a dash of this and dash of that - thatýs it. I keep hearing that he is known, as the ýnaked chef ýNews Flashý sexy chef would be a more appropriate term. He has amazing energy and charisma. My only concern now is - WHEN WILL THE NEXT DVD BE RELEASED!!!!!

Oh My God.......2003-10-18

Jamie Oliver, hands down, is the most entertaining chef on broadcast television. I was completely entertained by this DVD. It allowed me to navigate from recipe to recipe, which was so nice to use when preparing some of his amazingly delicious and simple recipes. After watching this DVD I feel as though I could prepare any gourmet meal for any number of guests. And did I forget to mention how freaking adorable he is. I will admit the first time I watched it I could only focus on his adorable features and charisma and then I watched again and observed his unbelievable and uncomplicated style of gourmet cuisine. Oh, and the recipes were great - basically fresh and healthy ingredients with a dash of this and dash of that - that's it. ...

Average customer rating:

Very good... just a bit drawn out at times.
Dickens Classic with Dickensian Details!
One of the best films about this classic.
the ultimate version!

Oliver Twist (BBC, 1985)
Starring: Ben Rodska , Scott Funnell , Eric Porter , Frank Middlemass , and Lysette Anthony
Director: Gareth Davies
Manufacturer: BBC home video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0009PVZLY
Release Date: 2005-09-06

Description

The classic story of the poor orphan, Oliver experiences the terror and brutality of the criminal world with his companions: a pickpocket, a thief, a prostitute, and a fence. Born and raised in the appalling deprivation of the workhouse, the orphan Oliver escapes only to fall in with a gang of child thieves. Oliver's rescue by the kindly Mr. Brownlow is only the beginning of a series of adventures that lead him to an incredible discovery.

Customer Reviews:

Very good... just a bit drawn out at times........2006-08-12

Very good rendition... a few segments are a bit drawn out at times... and a number of the shots are very dark (lighting)... I guess to simulate the pre-electric point in time. Made it difficult to "see" some of the details in the scenes though. Well worth the sale price that I was able to obtain.

Dickens Classic with Dickensian Details!.......2006-03-09

This version of Oliver Twist was a real pleasure! While a dramatization that stays fairly close to the original, the producers did this one right by giving it the time it needed. While the cast is of people little-known in the US, fans of classic literature should sit up and take notice of this one.

Ben Rodska does a wonderful portrayal of Oliver Twist that really brings home just how difficult life was in the workhouse. Dickens' book brought the plight of the poor into the public light in Britain, causing the dismantlement of the workhouse system and the poor laws. The actors and acresses in this episodic telling of the story convincingly prove to the viewer just how bad life could be in the early-to-mid 1800s.

Bill Sikes is frighteningly well played. Fagin is absolutely disreputable. Nancy is pitiable and trapped in a life filled with misery--and knows it.

Performed in twelve half-hour episodes, Oliver Twist has a simple musical score that enhances the rich visual imagery. People and places abound. This is the England of 1825 you long to see.

Oliver says it best: "Please, sir. I want some more!"

One of the best films about this classic........2005-11-21

I want to compare CBS version with other film versions I saw:

Oliver Twist 1933 One of the first versions. Too brief, but a regular edition, even it was very deteriorated by the time.
Oliver Twist 1945 One of the best version with Barrymore.
Oliver Twist (Disney Version) Too dark, images have too shadows. Regular version, Faggin was not the best characterization as other versions.
Oliver! This Musical was one triumph! Carol Reed was the Director won an Oscar, the film too, and other nominations.
The Music was excellent. The characterization of Faggin, one of the best ever.
Oliver Twist 2005 - To be seen and reviewed soon.

the ultimate version!.......2005-09-06

I have been waiting for this version, as it is , in my opinion, vastly superior to many of the newer version. The characters stay with you for a long time to come, and I have found myself using this a the yardstick to measure others with. It is funny touching, absorbing, gripping and a highly satisfactory production. To praise one character over the rest of the cast is not fair. Eric Porter, of course, is welknown, whereas the rest are fairly unfamiliar, but everybody does a splendid job.
If you don't know this version! You are in for a treat!

Great Adaptations - Criterion Collection (Great Expectations / Lord of the Flies / The Most Dangerous Game / Oliver Twist)

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Great Adaptations - Criterion Collection (Great Expectations / Lord of the Flies / The Most Dangerous Game / Oliver Twist)
Starring: Joel McCrea , Fay Wray , Leslie Banks , Robert Armstrong , and Noble Johnson
Director: Ernest B. Schoedsack , Irving Pichel , and David Lean
Manufacturer: Criterion
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ASIN: B0002JELNQ
Release Date: 2004-09-07

Description

Great Expectations: One of the great translations of literature into film, David Lean's, Great Expectations brings Charles Dickens' masterpiece to robust onscreen life. Pip, Magwitch, Miss Havisham, and Estella populate Lean's magnificent miniature, beautifully photographed by Guy Green and designed by John Bryan. Lord of the Flies: Lord of the Flies is famed theater director Peter Brook's daring translation of William Golding's brilliant novel. The story of 30 English schoolboys stranded on an uncharted island at the start of the "next" war, Lord of the Flies is a seminal film of the New American Cinema and a fascinating anti-Hollywood experiment in location filmmaking. As the cast relived Golding's frightening fable, Brook found the cinematic "evidence" of the author's terrifying thesis: there is a beast in us all. The Most Dangerous Game: "One of the best and most literate movies from the great days of horror," The Most Dangerous Game stars Leslie Banks as a big game hunter with a taste for the world's most exotic prey—his houseguests, played by Fay Wray and Joel McCrea. Before making history with 1933's King Kong, filmmakers Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack wowed audiences with their chilling adaptation of this Richard Connell short story. Criterion is proud to present the DVD premiere of The Most Dangerous Game in a new digital transfer. Oliver Twist: Expressionistic noir photography suffuses David Lean's Oliver Twist with a nightmarish quality, fitting its bleak, industrial setting. In Dickens' classic tale, an orphan wends his way from cruel apprenticeship to den of thieves in search of a true home.

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Oliver Twist (1933)
Starring: George K. Arthur , Lionel Belmore , Clyde Cook , Alec B. Francis , and Harry Holman
Director: Will Cowan , and William J. Cowen
Manufacturer: Alpha Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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