Oliver! (1968)

VHS CASE/ SIDE

Length of film:  153 Minutes

Rated: U

Genre: Musical, Drama, Family

Director: Carol Reed

Starring:Mark Lester, Ron Moody, Shani Wallis, Oliver Reed, Harry Secombe, Jack Wild, Hugh Griffith, Joseph O’Conor

IMDB Rank: 7.4 /10

Part 1 Time:  86 Minutes

Part 2 Time:  67 Minutes

* The DVD format requires you to flip the DVD disk to watch the second half.

Where does the first part end? Oliver (Mark Lester) leaves the court house with Mr. Brownlow (Joseph O’Conor) by horse and buggy. Artful Dodger (Jack Wild) sits on the back of the buggy.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: Fagin (Ron Moody) yells to Artful Dodger, “Dodger, don’t lose him!”

First line of dialogue on the second part: Oliver begins to wake up to a song being sung outside by a flower girl “Who will buy my sweet red roses?”

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Somewhat, Oliver has caught a lucky break as Mr. Brownlow has taken Oliver in. However Fagin and his gang of pickpockets seem to have other plans.

Which part is better? The film is a period musical with an outstanding musical score. Many of the musical tracks are present in act one of the film, with act two taking a more dramatic tone. Act one could itself be a film, showcasing an orphaned boy who despite all odds was able to find a family. Overall act one outshines the second half due to its musical score and accompanying choreography.

Academy Awards:1969- Best Picture (Winner), Best Leading Actor (Nominated- Ron Moody), Best Supporting Actor (Nominated- Jack Wild), Best Director (Nominated), Best Writing Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium (Nominated), Best Cinematography (Nominated), Best Art Direction Set Decoration (Winner), Best Costume Design (Nominated), Best Sound (Winner), Best Film Editing (Nominated), Best Music Score of an Original or Adaptation Musical Picture (Winner)

Other Awards: 1969 BAFTA- Best Actor (Nominated- Ron Moody), Best Art Direction (Nominated), Best Costume Design (Nominated), Best Direction (Nominated), Best Film (Nominated), Best Film Editing (Nominated), Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles (Nominated- Jack Wild), Best Sound Track (Nominated); 1969 Golden Globes- Best Comedy or Musical Picture (Winner), Best Director (Nominated), Best Supporting Actor (Nominated- Hugh Griffith), Most Promising Male Newcomer (Nominated- Jack Wild)