Roman Polanski’s recent production of Oliver Twist is a wonderful movie that captures the imagination of anyone interested in classic literature. The new movie is another one added to the long list of Oliver Twist productions, however, this version is rumored to follow the book more closely than other films.
Oliver Twist (Barney Clark) finds himself adapting to location as he travels from place to place. The story begins with Twist at the Parish Workhouse. He runs away and is taken in by Fagin (Ben Kingsley). Fagin runs a gang of pickpockets that includes the artful Dodger (Harry Eden).
Dodger watches out for Twist in the beginning, but when Twist is taken in by Mr. Brownlow (Edward Hardwicke), Dodger worries that Twist will turn in the pickpocket gang. Brownlow is a kind old man who takes Twist in after he is accused of pickpocketing Brownlow.
However, Twist did not pickpocket Brownlow; Dodger did. Bill Sykes (Jamie Foreman), whom Fagin reports his stolen wealth to, kidnaps Twist and plots to rob Brownlow. Sykes plans failed, however, and he ends up dying. Brownlow then takes Twist back in to live with him.
The 1997 Disney version of Oliver Twist opens in a similar manner, however, ended it ends quite differently than Polanski?s. The artful Dodger (Elijah Wood) in the Disney version was a more likable character, in that he tried to protect Twist (Alex Trench) from Sykes (David O?Hara) near the end of the film.
However, an older version of the film, produced in 1948, was very similar to the current production. While this version was in black and white, the movie actually follows the novel and historical context very well.
The sets in the 1948 version were very similar to Polanski?s film, as was the dialogue. While Twist (John Howard Davies) seemed to be too young for the role, the role of Fagin (Alec Guiness) was probably the best of the three versions.
The 2005 and 1948 versions did a good job of accurately portraying 19th century London, with the health and sanitation problems. The Disney version was too much like a fairy tale, ending completely happy and does not adequately deal with the problems of the time period.
Out of the three movies I watched, I would definitely recommend both the 2005 and 1948 versions. I do not recommend the 1997 version because it veered away from how Dickens originally wrote the story.
For more information on the 2005 Oliver Twist film, please visit the following websites: http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hv&id=1800102669&cf=info&intl=us; http://disneyvideos.disney.go.com/moviefinder/products/1293803.html; and http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/olivertwist/.
