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Actors: Mark Lester, Ron Moody, Oliver Reed
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| Review Summary and Plot Commentary about Oliver! |
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This is a wonderful movie about a young boy. He is orphaned at birth by an unwed mother who leaves him in a workhouse in 1800's England. The story starts when young Oliver is sold by the workhouse after requesting more food. He finds his way to freedom in the London warehouse district, where he meets the Artful Dodger, played spectacularly by the late Jack Wild. The Artful Dodger takes Oliver to Fagin, played by Ron Moody, and is taught the fine art of pickpocketing. Poor Oliver is nabbed by the police, even though innocent. Through the ensuing events, Bill Sykes, a previous "graduate" of Fagin's is worried that Oliver will inform on the crime ring. He kidnaps Oliver with the help of his wife, Nancy played by Shani Wallis.
The turn of events is as heartwretching as any, but in the end will Oliver finds the love and family he so desperately seeks? The choreography is breathtaking, the costumes are the best, only Titanic has a better time era costume. Oliver Reed plays Bill Sykes with such perfection that you feel the hair on the back of your neck raising everytime his scenes come up. The London ghetto is second to none.
--Tamara, Resident Scholar
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Oliver! is a musical based on the Charles Dickens book Oliver Twist. Mark Lester stars as the lead role of Oliver, an orphaned boy bought up in a slave house. He gets sold to an undertaker after daring to ask for more gruel. But he runs away to London where he meets the charasmatic Artful Dodger, played by Jack Wild - the main pickpocket in a gang of boys led by Fagin (Ron Moody). The story follows Oliver's search for a family while trying to escape the evil Sykes (Oliver Reed).
The film is a musical and has many songs, including 'Consider Youself', 'Where is love?', 'Oom-pah-pah', and 'Who will buy...'.
--Daisy, Resident Scholar
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If you've the urge to pick a pocket or two, Carol Reed's “Oliver!” will put you in the mood.
This Oscar-winning musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' “Oliver Twist” is one of
Hollwood's all time greats, starring Ron Moody as Fagin, Oliver Reed as Bill Sikes, and
introducing Mark Lester as Oliver. Frolicking, rolicking--and even tragic--this film
is a milestone in movie-making. The muscial numbers, the choreography, the
cinematography are all first rate and it is almost impossible not to leave the theatre
humming “Where Is Love”!
--Bill Hobbs, Resident Scholar
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| Analysis of Oliver! |
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Time/era of movie:
- 19th century
Kids growing up/acting up?
Yes
Kids:
- committing crimes
How much story is philosophy rather than plot?
- 2 (a little)
Parent(s) gone?
- Orphan story
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- slave
Age:
- a kid
Hair color?
- blonde
Hair type
- (man) short/standard straight
Events of movie makes character more...
- sensitive
Ethnicity/Nationality
- British
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor?
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Secondary Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Hair color
- brunette (Brown)
Hair style
- (man) short/standard straight
Body type
- (man) average build
Ethnicity/Nationality
- British
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- criminal
Hair color
- brunette (Brown)
Hair type
- (man) short/standard straight
Body type
- (man) muscular
Ethnicity/Nationality
- British
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Setting
Europe
Yes
European country:
- England/UK
City?
Yes
City:
- London
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
Movie makes you feel...
- in awe
Any profanity?
- None
If lots of song/dance...
- lot of singing and dancing
If soundtrack VERY NOTICEABLE...
- Broadway musical
Is this movie based on a
- book
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Resident Scholar Profiles
TOP SCHOLAR:
 Tamara
SCHOLARS: Daisy
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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