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Oliver Twist [DVD]

DVD ~ Ben Kingsley

3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)

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	59% buy the item featured on this page: Oliver Twist [DVD] 3.5 out of 5 stars (17) �4.98
	20% buy Oliver! (Special Edition) [DVD] [1968] 4.9 out of 5 stars (9) �3.98
	15% buy Oliver! [DVD] [1968] 4.7 out of 5 stars (26) �8.98
	4% buy Oliver Twist [DVD] 5.0 out of 5 stars (7) �13.98

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Product details

Actors: Ben Kingsley, Jamie Foreman, Barney Clark, Harry Eden, Leanne Rowe
Directors: Roman Polanski
Format: PAL
Language English
Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Number of discs: 1
Classification: PG
Studio: Pathe Distribution
DVD Release Date: 13 Feb 2006
Run Time: 125 minutes

Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)

ASIN: B000CDYDVW
Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 15,185 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

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Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
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

Synopsis
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.

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Customer Reviews

17 Reviews

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

Average Customer Review

3.5 out of 5 stars (17 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Doesn't live up to the hype., 1 Mar 2006

By A Customer

On paper, this movie has the perfect cast. It was also promoted as one of the most authentic versions of Dickens' story. Unfortunately the cast deliver their lines like an amateur theatrical group. A lot of the film is shot in virtual darkness, so it is a strain to see what is happening. There is also the huge mistake of Mr Brownlow quoting the American Oath while at the Magistrates Court. The performances lack passion. Also, it departs from the book in various places, with no appearance of the evil Monks. Barney Clark makes a reasonable Oliver Twist but, overall, this movie version is very disappointing.

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15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Can I have some more please sir?", 27 Jan 2006

By	M. J Leonard "MikeonAlpha" (Silver Lake, Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

There's nothing particularly wrong with Roman Polanski's new Oliver Twist, it looks great and has a lovely musical score, but there's something wrong when at the movie's end all you can talk about are the sets, lighting, costumes, and music. One gets the feeling that the award-winning director, who so moved us with the Pianist a few years ago, just didn't have his heart in it or was unable to connect emotionally to the story. Technically sound and surprisingly faithful to its source material, this Oliver Twist comes across as rather uninspired and flat.

Most frustrating is that we hardly need another movie adaptation of Oliver Twist when there are other Dickens books that haven't been given the major movie treatment that would better suit Polanski's talented vision. Which begs the question of why it was even made. I'm not quite sure why this version of Oliver Twist doesn't work, all the attributes are there, it has high production values and inspired character actors. It's all totally acceptable, yet the movie seems to lack passion.

Polanski does, however, breath some life into the essential themes of the novel. The juxtaposing forces of human misery and kindness are all there, along with the scathing social comment. Oliver's life is indeed tragic. His story begins at an orphanage, but he is soon kicked out for bad behavior. His next stop is working for a coffin-maker, but mistreatment causes him to run away. After a cruel, seven-day trek to London, he meets Artful Dodger (Harry Eden) and becomes one of the merry band of thieves ruled by the rapacious Fagin (Ben Kingsley).

A chance encounter with a wealthy businessman, Mr. Brownlow (Edward Hardwicke), gives Oliver a chance at a better life, but Fagin and his cutthroat associate, Bill Sikes (Jamie Foreman) are unwilling to let him move on. They find a way to pull him back in and use Mr. Brownlow's affection for Oliver to their advantage. Only Nancy, (Leanne Rowe) Bill's wife, shows compassion for poor Oliver. But of course, will the evil Bill out to get her, Nancy's days are most likely numbered.

Perhaps the biggest problem with Oliver Twist is Barney Clark as the courteous and innocent Oliver. He looks great, but like the rest of the movie, he is presentable without being compelling. For the story to work, sympathy with Oliver is mandatory, but Clark's acting and Polanski's direction keep the character at arm's length. Only two performances - that of Leanne Rowe as Nancy Sikes and Jamie Foreman as Bill Sikes - have power and force. You really care about Nancy and obviously want Bill to get retribution, but Oliver comes across as strangely negligible.

Polanski's interpretation is very much a Masterpiece Theater style adaptation, with higher production values. It looks good and hits all the high points, but it's ultimately cool and unemotional. It doesn’t help that much of the melodramatic elements of the book have been toned down, when they should have been played up! Mike Leonard January 06.

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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not very Dickensian Dickens, 1 Jan 2007

By	Reuben J. Turner "reuben_t" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Bizarrely, while this is a 'faithful adaptation', Oliver! the musical comes far closer to Dickens' novel.

Dickens' characters are larger than life, daft, melodramatic, memorable. Polanski's are restrained, underplayed, without pathos. The photography's nice, but overall this feels like a dull BBC costume drama -- more Charlotte Bronte than Charles Dickens.

I'd give it a miss.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A New Twist For The 21st Century !
This is a lovely adaptation of the wonderful Charles Dickens novel. The costumes and sets are brilliant. And i loved Edward Hardwicke in this film very much. Read more

Published 4 months ago by Wirral Bagpuss

5.0 out of 5 stars More beautiful and human than heartbreaking
This recent adaptation of Dickens' Oliver Twist is just one more in a long, long series, would you say. And you would be wrong. Read more

Published 20 months ago by Jacques COULARDEAU

5.0 out of 5 stars Polanski made this film for his children!
Polanski himself said that he had always wanted to make a film for his children and Oliver Twist is what he choose. Read more

Published 22 months ago by Sophie D

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply amazing!
A truely stunning cinematic experience. The most faithful version committed to film - buy it, watch it, love it!

Published 23 months ago by Norman Cheeseworthy

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb!
We were learning about this film in English, and this has been the best film I have seen all year, beating Pirates and Harry Potter by a loooong way. Read more

Published 24 months ago by Aubergine

2.0 out of 5 stars Lemon of Twist
Why did Roman Polanski decide to make this film? Maybe he was just trying to get the full range of movies on his CV. Read more

Published on 4 May 2007 by Petrolhead

3.0 out of 5 stars Oliver Twist
My family and I all enjoyed this film, although I don't think it beats 'Oliver' the musical. One of the things that doesn't make the film quite credible is the lack of dirt,... Read more

Published on 1 Sep 2006 by A. Mazzotta

3.0 out of 5 stars Polanski on his best behaviour - unfortunately
Roman Polanski's Oliver Twist is one of the least Polanski films ever made. It looks like a Polanski film for the most part, but the edge has been dulled: like the too spick and... Read more

Published on 27 Aug 2006 by Trevor Willsmer

5.0 out of 5 stars Great!
This film is great! I've never watched this genre of film before but I was definately not disappointed. I have to say that Sir Ben Kingsley as Fagin was my favourite part. Read more

Published on 11 Jun 2006 by Mlle Stacey Wardle

2.0 out of 5 stars Didn’t quite hit the nail on the head!
This version of Oliver Twist is not for me. It is not the best script and, in the main, I find most of the acting very wooden. Read more

Published on 22 Mar 2006 by Sam Hope

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