OLIVER TWIST
US/Ireland, 1997, 91 minutes, Colour.
Richard Dreyfuss, Elijah Wood, David O' Hara, Alex Trench, Antoine Byrne, Olivia Caffrey, Anthony Finnigan, Maria Charles.
Directed by Tony Bill.
This Disney version of Oliver Twist was made for television, filming in Ireland and directed by actor-director, Tony Bill.
It recreates the familiar story, classically filled in 1948 by David Lean with Alec Guinness as Fagin. Soon after this film, he was to be played by Ben Kingsley, directed by Roman Polanski. Oliver is played by Alex Trench, whose only film this is. The part of Bill Sykes is played by David O’ Hara and, surprisingly, The Artful Dodger is played by Elijah Wood.
The film re-creates the North of England as well as London, with some lavish sets, costumes and decor. A number of commentators considered that the film was too bright-looking, a touch sugary, owing much to the musical will film version, Oliver.
1. The popularity of Dickens’ tale? The many film versions? Classics, the musical, Oliver? A variety of versions for television and cinema?
2. This production from Disney? The abbreviation of the story? Inclusions and omissions? An adaptation of details, differing from the novel?
3. The film made in Ireland, the re-creation of the North of England, the workhouse, London, the markets, the squalid areas, Grosvenor Square and its affluence, genteel? The musical score?
4. The bright colours of the film, the tone, reminiscences of Oliver – and audiences, perhaps, anticipating the characters to move into song?
5. The opening, the pregnant mother, giving birth, the hard attitudes of the authorities? Her locket and portrait? The widow taking care of it?
6. Oliver at six, the workhouse, hard work, the hard grind, the laundry? The widow and her attitudes? Oliver wanting to see the locket?
7. Oliver at 12, the continued hard work, the other orphans, the scene with Oliver asking for more? Punishments? Oliver as a strong character, demanding, wanting the locket, the refusal? His being ousted, the decision to return, taking the locket?
8. Oliver in London, wandering, the encounter with Dodger, his friendship, support, Oliver hungry, taking him to Fagin, Fagin liking him? The other boys? Bill and his being threatening? Nancy and her friendship?
9. The character of Fagin, the Jewish emphasis, Richard Dreyfuss’ interpretation? Friendly, sinister, his control of the boys, sending them out, their picking pockets, bringing money back, watches and jewels, Bill Sykes and his wanting his cut? Fagin and his secret box, Oliver seeing it, Fagin swearing him to silence, the threats? The lesson where Oliver had to pick the pocket and the handkerchief?
10. Dodger, his age, with the other boys, self-confidence, Fagin previously being betrayed by the boy, the boy going to jail, Dodger’s explanation of the jail and the opportunity to learn all the techniques of stealing?
11. In the street, the illustration of pickpocketing, kind people in the park, giving money even while being robbed? Oliver, the situation, his being caught, taken to the judge? Dodger reassuring Fagin that Oliver would not peach?
12. Mr Brownlow, Rose, compassion for Oliver, the appeal to the harsh judge, his going to the Brownlow house, Grosvenor square, clothes, food, the week?
13. Mr Brownlow entrusting Oliver with the books, the money, Oliver not returning, Mr Brownlow losing trust? Nancy’s visit, the reassurance, hoping to get Oliver back? Realising that Oliver was his daughter’s son?
14. Bill and Fagin, wanting Oliver back, Nancy snaring him, Fagin and his fears, Oliver and his reassurance, but wanting his locket back from Fagin?
15. Bill Sykes, the menace, the midnight rendezvous, his killing Nancy? Mr Brownlow and Rose at the Bridge? Bill with Oliver on the roof? The menace, the police, the crowds? Bill and his fall and death? The rescue of Oliver?
16. Oliver’s happy future? Dodger and his helping Oliver – and willing to go to jail?
17. Fagin and his confrontation with Bill, the jewels, Bill hitting him – but his surviving?
