Oliver!

source: Oliver!

Trailer—Oliver!

Oliver!

He's an older, big brother type and takes Oliver under his wing in a quid pro quo fencing hiercharchy. This street smart musical is uniquie in style and scope. Jack Wild and Mark Lester were nicely cast alongside the indelible Ron Moody, revamping his stage role. His conflict is ours and yet he is playful, protective and leader of 20 young pick pockets. The songs are quite singable and memorable and the choreography is a sight to behold, where the numbers often run into the hundreds and the character integration is wonderful. It's truly a sight to see and I was fortunate enough to have seen it in the theater when it debuted and having seen it again and again on DVD. I would have to say that the film only got better over time. Great sets, wonderful acting, overlapping choreography, this is a special treat that is engaging and hard not to love. This inspired my love of music some 41 years ago! Who will buy? OK, OK....I will!

A high-spirited, lively version of the well-known story, the film manages to fit in songs and dances without subtracting from the deeper issues in Dickens' novel. The times are depicted vividly well, with excellent sets and costumes, and the film works as both surface entertainment for the young generation, and as a drama with deeper ideas behind it for the more adult viewer. As a musical, the story is not as potent as otherwise - if you compare it to David Lean's version for example - but yet the film explains parts of the story better than Lean's version did. It is not a perfect film as such, with some dances routines seeming pointless and a length that does become a tad annoying, but it is such a brilliant realisation of Dickens, and it is so well done, that it is hard not to think highly of the film. Ron Moody especially is very good: perfect as Fagin in an Oscar nominated role.

This film introduced me to musicals at the age of 5 or 6, starting a trend which has lasted for over two decades since - it remains my favourite for a lot of reasons - the great treatment of Dickens' admittedly complicated book; memorable characters who do not sing, alongside those who do (stellar performances from everyone); fun and frolics, and a few heartbreaking moments; and Lionel Bart's tremendous score. The 'Who Will Buy' sequence is one of the best ever. One to watch and cherish and remember just how good musical films used to be.