Rating: Summary: Consider Yourself ...in for a real treat! Review: There's not much that can go wrong when you have a great story to tell, memorable songs for illustration, and a wonderful cast of actors to bring it all to life. "Oliver" had all of the above, and it turned into one swell film! -- A 19th century London orphan boy gets in with a gang of pick-pockets, who teach him that it's all right "to pick a pocket or two". Eventually the title character gets rescued by a nobleman, while the street thugs "review the situation", concluding that life in the streets isn't so bad. -- This is a wonderful treatment of the classic novel. Consider yourself entertained after two hours of sheer Hollywood Magic!
Rating: Summary: Charles Dickens' classic tale Review: Fleeing a life of workhouse servitude, Oliver (Mark Lester) arrives in London to seek his fortune. His journey leads the ragged orphan to a crime school for boys, where the roguish Fagin (Ron Moody) teaches him to steal. During his adventures, Oliver meets a whole crowd of Dickensonian low-lifes, including the Artful Dodger (Jack Wild), the villainous Bill Sikes (Oliver Reed) and the pretty, compassionate tavern singer, Nancy (Shani Wallis). The musical scores are great, and the acting superb. This is one you'll want to view over and over, and it is great family entertainment. Nothing here to be afraid to let the kids see. Good, wholesome entertainment, and a great rendition of Dickens' story. Joseph Pierre, Author of THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS: Our Journey Through Eternity
Rating: Summary: Everlasting Memories Review: I was Just 5 years old in 1968 when I first saw this remarkable all-singing all-dancing masterpeice of a musical movie! The effect it had on me then was awsome, the effect it has on me now at the age of 37 is still awsome. You must see this movie! It will make you cry (Where is Love) It will make you laugh (I'll Do Anything). Dont go through life without seeing this film! It would be like going through life without ever experiencing... erm... life. 10/10
Rating: Summary: CLASSIC DICKENS MUSICAL Review: With top-notch production values, a wonderfully engaging score, performances that fit the bill to perfection, and many, many extras, such as Onna White's fabulously inventive choreography, this gigantic screen musical is a classic for the ages. Perhaps the best and most enthusiastically rendered vision of Charles Dickens' specific vision of working class London, this movie literally teems with life, and paints a vivid, emotional portrait of a scraggly band of petty thieves and crooks; magically, the musical numbers not only provide a nice counter-balance to the mounting brutality of the main story, but expand on it as well. Shani Wallis and Oliver Reed are pitch-perfect, and surprisingly intense, as the corrupt and doomed low-life couple who use Oliver as a means to their own selfish ends. Mark Lester is a wondrous child actor, without a hint of self-awareness, and a sweetly tiny soprano voice that can bring tears to your eyes. Carol Reed's enormous skill as a director has never been better showcased than in his seemingly effortless coordination of scenes both small and impossibly huge, as in the Who Will Buy? musical number, a wondrous combo of precise choreography, soaring melody and layer upon layer of visual joy. This movie is an exceptional first taste of musical theatre/movies for children, though be warned: the movie does not shy from the more violent passages in Dickens' tale, and the spooky underbelly of life as a petty criminal is scary when you hear Bill Sykes whistle for his pit bull in the back alleys.
Rating: Summary: A total family classic Review: I remember watching this movie when I was a child. I loved it then and I love it more now watching it with my own children. The story is classic, the music, beautiful and memorable. I remembered the words immediately, as though I had just watched it the other day, when in fact it had been 20 years. The performances are fantastic, and we all just love it. I would highly recommend it. :)
Rating: Summary: like the Proust's Madeleine. Review: a wonderful moment, full of souvenirs still up to date musically, technically speaking. A nice way to re-discover one of the greatest musicals ever done in the sixties ! Mark Lester is superb, all the actors are wonderful
Rating: Summary: creativity at its very best! Review: There is something odd about the passing away of two of the main stars of this epic within months of each other, Oliver Reed and Oliver Bart. For me the music is at the core of the film and there can be no doubt that Oliver Bart was a genius at creating the kind of songs you just can't help but get hooked by. All of the performances are remarkable and are in part a great credit to Olver Reed's uncle Sir Carol Reed who directed it superbly. The essence of the film inmy mind is captured superbly by the arrival of Bill Sykes(Reed) at the local tavern late at night. His shadow in approach engulfs the mind as the music raises the odds. Reeds perforamnce (both of them) along with Ron Moody are the key reasons this film hits its mark, along with the fabulous music score... I am sure that Oliver, Carol and Oliver are having a beer in the big pub in the sky as you read this mulling over old memorys. Definately a film that I will be watching 30, 40, 50, years from now!
Rating: Summary: Memorable Music Review: You can forget, if you haven't seen this film in some time, just how great the music is. "Consider Yourself", "As Long As He Needs Me" and "Food, Glorious Food" are great songs complemented by outstanding choreography in this great movie. My children (7 & 4) were a troubled by the beating death of Nancy by Bill Sikes, but I anticipated it and fast-forwarded thru that section. The main story is heartening, though, and my entire family has been humming the songs for days!
Rating: Summary: The Most Wonderful Musicial Ever Made Review: I saw this movie when it was first released (1968), I was ten years old at the time. I have never been nor will I ever be as affected by a film as I was by "Oliver!". It is heart warming, sad, humorous, scary, absolutely touching every single emotion. Every single actor/actress was casted perfectly. The songs, dances and scenes all Oscar caliber, as evidenced by the Best Picture Oscar. I fell in love with this movie and have seen it well over a thousand times. I would recommend it to everyone. This musicial has heart and soul. Anyone who would find fault with this classic movie is an unhappy person who cannot delight in the happiness of a perfectly acted, directed and produced movie for all ages. See it over and over and over again. You will be glad you did.
Rating: Summary: A dissenting opinion. Review: I not a big fan of this movie, and everytime I see it I am left wondering how did this overlong, over-indulgent musical win Best Picture. I just don't get it. I can understand "The Sound of Music" and "My Fair Lady" winning; but "Oliver!"?
I think what annoys me the most about this film are those huge, big budget, musical production numbers that just seem to be in the movie simply for the sake of having them. They do nothing for developing the plot or the characters.("Who Will Buy" is a perfect example.) Frankly, I find them a big bore and they really make this movie drag. It is way too long already with the main characters breaking into a song and dance routine every five minutes or so. I do enjoy the timeless Dicken's story, some of the songs (The rapper Jay-Z recently sampled from "I'll Do Anything), and the performances of Jack Wild and the late Oliver Reed. Yet, I am still confused as to how this movie won Best Picture.
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