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From Amazon.co.uk
An astonishingly good David Lean double-bill featuring his two Dickensian adaptations, Great Expectations (1946) and Oliver Twist (1948), this is a reminder that cinema does not necessarily have to debase its literary sources, sometimes it can enhance them. Lean's painterly eye for evocative locations--be they windswept marshes or bustling London streets--provides the backdrop, but his focus on smaller details--the ominous tree in the graveyard with its almost human face, the reaction of Bill Sikes' dog to Nancy's murder--adds the vital ingredient that brings both place and character to life.
Starring a youthful John Mills as Pip, Lean's Great Expectations is an unadulterated delight, a serendipitous gelling of screenplay, direction, cinematography and acting that produces an almost perfect film. The cast is exemplary, with Alec Guinness in his first (official) role as Pip's loyal pal Herbert Pocket; Martita Hunt is a cadaverous Miss Havisham; Finlay Currie transforms himself from truly threatening to entirely sympathetic as Magwitch; while the young Jean Simmons makes more of an impact as the girl Estella than Valerie Hobson does as the older incarnation. Perhaps best of all, though, is Francis Sullivan as the pragmatic but kindly attorney Jaggers.
The cinematography alone (courtesy of Guy Green) would qualify Oliver Twist as a classic: the opening sequence of a lone woman struggling through the storm is an indelible cinematic image. Fortunately, Lean's film has many more aces up its sleeve thereafter, notably Alec Guinness' grotesque Fagin--a caricature certainly, but a three-dimensional one--and Robert Newton's utterly pitiless Bill Sikes. The skewed angles and unsettling chiaroscuro lighting transform London itself into another threatening character. --Mark Walker
Product Description
David Lean's classic adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel. Oliver (John Howard Davis) is a young orphan boy who is expelled from the workhouse run by Mr Bumble (Francis L. Sullivan). After becoming an apprentice to an undertaker Oliver decides to run away to London, only to meet the Artful Dodger (Anthony Newley) and fall amongst his gang of thieves, led by the scheming Fagin (Alec Guinness).
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Room For A View
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
Dickens' tale of workhouse dehumanisation, middle-class arrogance, urban poverty, street crime and domestic violence balanced against moments of extreme tenderness and altruistic warmth is superbly conveyed in Lean's monumental cinema adaptation. Although significant parts of the novel are missing, such as the events occurring during Oliver's walk to London and his involvement in a botched house robbery in Chertsey, the overall impression is one of an enormous sensitivity to Dickens's work, particularly the characterisation - the fragile, victimised Oliver, the monstrous but likeable Fagin, the harrowing Bill Sykes and his wonderful dog Bulls eye. I recommend a look at Cruikshank's drawings which accompanied the novel - the likenesses to the actors in the film is remarkable. Cinematic moments of genius include the opening sequence with Oliver's mother, the snuffed out street lamp after Nancy's murder and Bulls eye's betrayal of his master. The foreshortened sets depicting the squalor and claustrophobia of early nineteenth-century working-class London are incredibly realistic. And to think this was all filmed in a studio lot at Pinewood! For me this is the best Oliver Twist on celluloid - I only wish David Lean had the time and money to make a much longer film and include all the bits of the novel that are missing.
23 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Most definately the best adaptation of Dickens' novel. The opening sequence builds up a great sense of horror and drama which keeps you on the edge of your seat. Frances Sullivan is wonderful at playing the cruel but comical beadle. He and Mrs Mann are a great contrast to each other and make a great double act on screen. Perhaps the best and most memorable actor from this film is the wonderful Sir Alec Guiness who is so convincing as the roguish but kind Fagin - and who would guess that Sir Alec was only 22 at the time of playing the character! Robert Newton is also convincing as the horribly cruel Bill Sykes - he livens up the screen with his cruel ways and bad manners and scares the life out of the viewer with the horrifying murder of Nancy. Right up until he dies he holds the screen in the palm of his hands and never fails to frighten or shock the viewer. Of course I must credit John Howard Davies who played the orphan Oliver brilliantly and held you, the viewer in the palm of his hands. One thing that has made the film so successful is the ammount of research the director has put into the film, the sets are magnificent and very believable for its day. Even down to the coffin snuff box of Mr Sowerberry - every prop is true to the story and makes the film all the more believable.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Norman Cheeseworthy
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was stunned by just how powerful this film is - from the opening scene of Oliver's mother on the moor, to the final struggle on the roof, I was amazed at what an impact it had on me. Like most people, I suspect, I was already familiar with the plot and events, having read the book several times as well as watching various other adaptations, but even so, the way they were presented here was if I was seeing them for the very first time.
Nancy's death was shown in a way that really made me grimace, despite not actually seeing any of the violence - and therein lies the genius of David Lean. It's not what you see, but what you don't.
The restored version of the film is simply stunning too - so clean and sharp, and the extras are a real eye opener too.
Highly recommended.
Nancy's death was shown in a way that really made me grimace, despite not actually seeing any of the violence - and therein lies the genius of David Lean. It's not what you see, but what you don't.
The restored version of the film is simply stunning too - so clean and sharp, and the extras are a real eye opener too.
Highly recommended.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
crime capers
rather a dark and gloomy film portraying the seedy elements of society.
quite violent in parts definitely shouldnt have been given a u certificate. Read more
quite violent in parts definitely shouldnt have been given a u certificate. Read more
Published 2 months ago by pilgrim
5.0 out of 5 stars
Oliver Twist
This film was really good quality considering the age of the actual picture, would recommend this to friends and associates.
Published 2 months ago by K.W.March
5.0 out of 5 stars
classic version
sill the best fio=lm adaptation of the novel but with an over empgasis on the early part of the novel
Published 2 months ago by jonathan edmunds
5.0 out of 5 stars
brill
i actualy bought this item for a friend. he loves it and watches it over and again. it arrived in very good time and it plays like new even thou it was bought as used.
Published 3 months ago by tracey claire
5.0 out of 5 stars
Oliver Twist David Lean version black and white
This is an outstanding version that I can recommend to anyone who likes older black and white version... try it.
Published 4 months ago by Mr. G. Holmes
5.0 out of 5 stars
The "real" Oliver Twist.
This old version of Dickens' fiction is faithfully conformed with the original script of the author. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Ottavio Donadoni
5.0 out of 5 stars
18th dec 2012. its on now. i thought it was mark lester one. boy even...
im quite enjoy,ing this film. it looks pretty good in hd. for 1948 picture. i hope u enjoy it too. worth its money easy.
Published 5 months ago by tango
4.0 out of 5 stars
What a Life to Come
Much of this film is 'great' particularly the photography and the narrative swiftness. The spirit if not the detail of the novel survives particularly in the sets of workhouse and... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mario
5.0 out of 5 stars
Oliver Twist
This was the first film that my Uncle took me to see when I was almost 8 years old in 1948 and it so impressed me at the time that I continued to read all of Dickens books from... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mr. George Dodge
5.0 out of 5 stars
oliver twist.
Just as I remembered it from many years ago,a real trip down memory lane.Even though I created a problem everything was sorted out smoothly,Oliver! [DVD] [1968] brilliant!
Published 13 months ago by TopCat
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