Oliver Twist (1982 TV film)

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Oliver Twist
Oliver Twist VideoCover.jpeg
Hungarian DVD cover
GenreCrime
Drama
Based on Oliver Twist
by Charles Dickens
Written by James Goldman
Directed by Clive Donner
Starring George C. Scott
Tim Curry
Michael Hordern
Timothy West
Eileen Atkins
Cherie Lunghi
Oliver Cotton
Richard Charles
Martin Tempest
Music byNick Bicât
Country of originUnited States
United Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producerWilliam F. Storke
Producers Ted Childs
Norton Romsey
CinematographyNorman G. Langley
Editor Peter Tanner
Running time103 minutes
Production companiesClaridge Productions
Grafton Productions
Norman Rosemont Productions
Trident
Original release
Network CBS
ReleaseMarch 23, 1982 (1982-03-23)

Oliver Twist is a 1982 American-British made-for-television film adaptation of the 1838 Charles Dickens classic of the same name, premiering on the CBS television network as part of the Hallmark Hall of Fame. [1] [2] Stars include George C. Scott, Tim Curry, Cherie Lunghi, and Richard Charles as Oliver, in his first major film role. [3]

Contents

Plot

A pregnant woman makes her way to a workhouse and dies giving birth to a baby boy. The beadle of the workhouse, Mr. Bumble names the boy Oliver Twist. Years later, Oliver makes the mistake of asking for more gruel for a fellow starving orphan after he refuses to accept his. As punishment, Oliver is sold to work as an apprentice to a local undertaker named Mr. Sowerberry, where he is used as a mute at children's funerals. This leads to resentment from Sowerberry's older apprentice, Noah Claypole, who retaliates by insulting Oliver's dead mother, resulting in Oliver attacking Noah. Siding with Noah, Sowerberry decides to send Oliver back to the workhouse.

However, Oliver escapes and travels a seven-day journey to London where he meets a pickpocket named Jack Dawkins, better known as the Artful Dodger. Dodger introduces Oliver to his master, a criminal named Fagin. Soon enough, Oliver learns that Fagin teaches young boys how to steal. Oliver also meets Bill Sikes, Fagin's brutal associate and his lover, Nancy, who develops a maternal love for Oliver. Sikes forces Oliver to burgle a house. The burglary goes wrong when Oliver is shot and Sikes escapes leaving Oliver behind. The residents of the house, Mr. Brownlow and his niece, Rose Maylie decide to nurse Oliver back to health. They notice a strong resemblance between Oliver and a portrait of Mr. Brownlow's friend's daughter, Agnes Fleming.

Meanwhile, it is revealed that Fagin is working with a mysterious man named Monks, who is none other than Oliver's half-brother. Monks' father had left a will which favours Oliver over Monks; however, the will states that should Oliver be involved in crime, then Monks will be entitled to the will. Monks visits Mr. and Mrs Bumble, buying from them a locket which Mrs. Bumble had stolen from Oliver's mother before the latter died. Returning to London, Monks offers Fagin £500 to murder Oliver. Nancy overhears this and informs both Mr. Brownlow and Rose. Unbeknown to her, Fagin has sent one of his boys, Charlie Bates, to dodge Nancy (with Dodger having been deported to Australia). Charlie reveals what he heard to Fagin, who confronts Nancy the following day. Believing she has betrayed him, Sikes brutally murders Nancy whilst Fagin is arrested by the police. Monks is directly confronted by Mr. Brownlow, who is revealed to have been a close friend of Oliver and Monks' father, who fell in love with Agnes Fleming and subsequently gave birth to Oliver. Oliver recognises Monks from two previous encounters.

Whilst on the run, Sikes continues to be haunted by Nancy which leads him to accidently hang himself whilst escaping from an angry mob on a rooftop. Mr. Brownlow and Oliver visit Fagin in jail, knowing the criminal will soon be sentenced to death; Fagin reveals he has left treasure for Oliver in his hideout. Mr. Brownlow, Oliver and Rose also travel to the workhouse where Mr. and Mrs. Bumble are forced to reveal their role in Monks' scheme. The two lose their jobs at the workhouse and Monks is sent to prison. Oliver leaves to continue his life with Mr. Brownlow.

Cast

References

  1. "Oliver Twist (1982) - Clive Donner | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related | AllMovie" via www.allmovie.com.
  2. "Oliver Twist". TVGuide.com.
  3. "Oliver Twist (1982)". BFI. Archived from the original on October 13, 2017.