Oliver. 1968.
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 us old foogies.
The acting is brilliant from Sir Harry Secombe as the workhouse master, Mark Lester as the young orphan who goes to seek his fortune in London, Jack Wild as the memorable character The Artful Dodger. Ron Moody plays the leader of the young boys Fagin and Oliver Reed as Bill Sikes. As this does have a good musical score from start to finish and some laughs, it does have the darker tone of Shani Wallis and Ollie Reed's death.
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