Rating: 
Summary: Dark Brilliance
Review: Although it takes liberties with the plot of Charles Dickens' classic, David Lean's 1948 version of OLIVER TWIST brilliantly captures the darkness and desolation, as well as the grotesqueness and humor, of its source. John Howard Davies as Oliver is the picture of angelic innocence. His underworld nemeses include Alec Guinness, the most repulsive Fagin imaginable; Robert Newton, perfect as the murderous Bill Sikes; and the teenage Anthony Newley, an intense and authentically Cockney Artful Dodger. Kay Walsh is excellent as the doomed Nancy, though I personally would prefer a more youthful depiction of the character. With its vivid cast and masterful direction, Lean's stirring yet unsentimental OLIVER TWIST is surely one of the finest films ever made of a Dickens novel.
Rating:
Summary: Best movie ever made of a Dickens Novel
Review: As I said in the title, this is the best ever film-version of a Dickens novel. Oliver Twist expertly tells the story of this enormous novel in less than two hours' screen time. We start with baby Oliver left on the doorstep of an orphanage by his unwed mother. Proving a difficult charge to the wicked orphanage official, Oliver is sold into a job as an undertaker's apprentice. He then runs away and joins a gang of street urchins, led by master pickpocket Fagin . Oliver is rescued from this life; but, with the help of Bill Sikes, Fagin abducts Oliver. Sikes' girl friend Nancy does all she can to restores Oliver to his home. This leads to Oliver going home, but to her death.
Rating:
Summary: Best version of all!
Review: As wonderful as the Jackie Coogan and Dickie Moore versions are, this 1948 version (not 1951) beats 'em. Whereas the great Lon Chaney Sr. played Fagin in the Coogan version, Sir Alec Guinness beats Chaney at his own game...he's the quintessential Fagin! The treat for me was seeing the young Anthony Newley as the Artful Dodger; and Robert Newton is the perfect Bill Sykes. It's fast-moving, never boring and the opening is one of the finest atmospheric scenes you'll ever witness in a movie...the dark, the clouds and the bony fingers of the leaveless trees blowing creepily in the wind as the pregnant woman finds her way alone in the countryside, trying to find shelter to give birth. You can keep your "musical" versions if you wish...but THIS is the one that's the best.
Rating:
Summary: Please Sir, I want some More
Review: Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist" first appeared in a magazine in 1838. Since then, 13 motion picture versions have graced the silver screen. Perhaps the uncontested classic was released in England in 1948. David Lean stands within a tiny circle of 20th Century film directors who could literally paint with a camera. And paint he did. Dark and moody, his "Oliver Twist" opens in an English countryside storm, as a pregnant young girl seeks shelter from the squall. She is about to give birth to Oliver Twist. Intentionally mute, there is no dialogue until seven minutes into the story. The stage is set for gothic evil and tragic foreboding. Lean auditioned 1500 boys for the lead role, but complained that, in each case, "there was nothing in the eyes". He eventually settled on 8 year-old John Howard Davies. Hard-drinking Robert Newton plays Bill Sikes. Alec Guinness appeared in 6 David Lean productions. His second was here as Fagin. Future movie beauty Diana Dors has a small part. Peter Bull and Francis L. Sullivan are outstanding in supporting roles. Filmed in the shadows of St. Paul's Cathedral, "Oliver Twist" reveals the circuitous, seamy London backwaters of the 19th Century. I have to say it. The extras for this Criterion DVD are rather "lean". However, it does contain a trailer, and 12 minutes of film censored from the original 1951 U.S. release. These scenes show Fagin giving a pick-pocket lesson, and counting his jewels. Charles Dickens and David Lean were just at the beginning of their long and prodigious careers when each released their own versions of "Oliver Twist". Amazingly for both, the best was yet to come.
Rating:
Summary: Please Sir, I want some More
Review: Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist" first appeared in a magazine in 1838. Since then, 13 motion picture versions have graced the silver screen. Perhaps the uncontested classic was released in England in 1948. David Lean stands within a tiny circle of 20th Century film directors who could literally paint with a camera. And paint he did. Dark and moody, his "Oliver Twist" opens in an English countryside storm, as a pregnant young girl seeks shelter from the squall. She is about to give birth to Oliver Twist. Intentionally mute, there is no dialogue until seven minutes into the story. The stage is set for gothic evil and tragic foreboding. Lean auditioned 1500 boys for the lead role, but complained that, in each case, "there was nothing in the eyes". He eventually settled on 8 year-old John Howard Davies. Hard-drinking Robert Newton plays Bill Sikes. Alec Guinness appeared in 6 David Lean productions. His second was here as Fagin. Future movie beauty Diana Dors has a small part. Peter Bull and Francis L. Sullivan are outstanding in supporting roles. Filmed in the shadows of St. Paul's Cathedral, "Oliver Twist" reveals the circuitous, seamy London backwaters of the 19th Century. I have to say it. The extras for this Criterion DVD are rather "lean". However, it does contain a trailer, and 12 minutes of film censored from the original 1951 U.S. release. These scenes show Fagin giving a pick-pocket lesson, and counting his jewels. Charles Dickens and David Lean were just at the beginning of their long and prodigious careers when each released their own versions of "Oliver Twist". Amazingly for both, the best was yet to come.
Rating: 
Summary: good
Review: consider that the only other verison of this troy i have seen is the 1968 musical version i dont have much to compare this too. this is a wee bit more faithful to the book. the boy that plays oliver is just as good as mark lester maybea bit better. however i cant stand the girl who played nacy here she is so over dramatic.
Rating:
Summary: A classic film!
Review: David Lean shows us once more why he was the most complete brittish director of the XX century.
In this case he adapted the Charles Dickens famous novel with nuance and idomatic style . Wonderful with any hole in its script and the cast is superb .
The best version carried to screen .
RECOMMENDABLE IN THE HIGHEST LEVEL!
Rating:
Summary: The best adaptation of Dickens ever made
Review: David Lean, one of the truly great film directors of all time and arguably the greatest British film director, here has turned out a wondrously sensitive and moving film version of Dickens' classic. I daresay Dickens himself would have applauded this effort. By all means, buy this film and enjoy it again and again with family, friends, and loved ones.
Rating:
Summary: A timeless masterpiece
Review: From the expressionist opening; the storm lighting up the workhouse gates to the scene of Bill Sykes's Staffordshire bull leading the angry mob to the hideout,this is a true masterpiece. Watch the scene where Oliver's head hits the pillow in old Sowerberry's shop. Scorsese no less, used the same technique in 'Mean Streets'. At once comic, terrifying, exciting and always hugely atmospheric this is Lean's best film. The sequence where Sykes realises he may have been double crossed by Fagin is with out doubt the greatest in cinema history. The wind blowing gently through the light curtains. Nancy's bedside table. Pure genius. Catch this one and weep for modern cinema.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant - unmatched Dickens adaptation
Review: Here, we have the incredible - an adaptation of Dickens that is true to the original, with no attempts to minimise the sordid elements for the sake of entertainment value. Yet the cinematographers art is what is most brilliantly expressed. The opening sequences, though devoid of dialogue, totally capture the viewer, making the tragic situation of poverty vivid. To cite just one further example, when the line is spoken about the workhouse as a "place of entertainment" for those of that class, and the camera focusses on workhouse inmates avidly trying to complete gruelling work, the single shot speaks a volume.The adaptation is tasteful and elegant, and the film may be viewed by those of any age - though new viewers should be cautioned that this is no light-hearted romp (...unlike a few other versions I could mention) but pure Dickens. For literary and artistic merit, few films could match the brilliance of this one.
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