Oliver Twist (Masterpiece Theatre, 1999)
by Renny Rye
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Actor: Sam Smith (III); David Ross; Julie Walters; Roger Lloyd-Pack; Ger Ryan; Michael Kitchen; Annette Crosbie; Keira Knightley; Tim Dutton; Lindsay Duncan; Marc Warren; Robert Lindsay (II); Alex Crowley; Andy Serkis; Emily Woof; Tracey Murphy; Edward Woodall; Nicholas Connell; Tessa Vale; Isla FisherDirector: Renny Rye
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Unknown
Format: Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Letterboxed, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 360 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-04-13
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: WGBH BOSTON
DVD Reviews of Oliver Twist (Masterpiece Theatre, 1999)
DVD Review: Not Dickens
Summary: 2 Stars
Having recently listened to the novel read on CD, it seemed an opportune time to see a movie version. I picked this one largely because of the reputation of Masterpiece Theater. In this case, that was a mistake. I understand that a 600-page book into a two hour movie without losing some of the book. That was another part of what motivated my choice--this was six hours.
Unfortunately, the first two hours was spent "explaining" the background (which comes much later in the novel) and introducing major plot elements that are absent from the book. The last four hours was a lame retelling of most of the story (again, however, with unnecessary plot changes).
Part of the problem was the casting. The book takes Oliver from the age of ten to about twelve. The child chosen for the role, however, appeared to be no more than seven or eight years old, definitely too young for the part.
Another problem was the acting. Most of the characters seemed to be phoning in their roles, except for Michael Kitchen (Foyle's War) in the part of Mr. Brownlow. The actor who played Fagin played him as insane. The Bill Sikes character was a nonentity.
All in all a serious disappointment. About the only thing that can be said in favor of the movie was that they got the period setting right. Aside from that, look elsewhere for a good adaptation of the book.
DVD Review: Interesting Version Of A Classic Story, But Ultimately A Mixed Bag Of A Mini-Series.
Summary: 3 Stars
When I first heard of this mini-series, my first thought was, "Why another film version of this story?" Then, I realized, upon seeing a scene from this series on YouTube, that this was probably the first version to include Rose Maylie, a character often cut from movie & TV versions of the story (I'd grown up seeing the 1968 musical "Oliver!," which is a classic, and had also seen the Disney made-for-TV version) and wonderedhow the filmmakers had handled her character in this version. Upon learning that Kiera Knightley played Rose, I was the more enthusiastic, as I had seen her in the "Pirates Of The Caribbean" movies, "STAR WARS Episode I: The Phantom Menace" and "Pride & Prejudice."
Ultimately, I was diasppointed. Though the decision to flesh out Oliver's baxkstory for 98% of the 1st episode was a brave one, so much of it was out of sync with the novel that at times I wondered if this was really based on "Oliver Twist, Or The Parish Boy's Progress" (the original title of the story when it was serialized in "Bentley's Miscellany" in 1837). The entire mini-series (6 hours split onto 3 discs) altered much of what was left of the novel. Some examples follow (with possible spoilers). While not a complete listing of the vast liberties taken with the novel, these are some of the most blatant.
SPOILERS AHEAD!!!! DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE MINI-SERIES.
In the novel: Monks & Oliver's father dies of a mysterious ailment.
In the mini-series: Monks' mother kills his father and watches as he dies.
In the novel: Mrs. Maylie & Mrs. Bedwin are two separate characters who befriend Oliver.
In the mini-series: Mrs. Maylie & Mrs. Bedwin are combined into one character.
In the novel: Doctor Losberne is an old man and Harry Maylie is Mrs. Maylie's son & Rose's suitor.
In the mini-series: Doctor Losberne & Harry Maylie are combined into one character.
In the novel: Sikes accidntally hangs himself.
In the mini-series: Sikes commits suicide.
In the novel: Mr. Brownlow was not only an old man, but he never knew Rose personally until she came to him on Nancy & Oliver's behalf.
In the mini-series: Mr. Brownlow is depicted as a middle-aged man AND as Rose's guardian.
This last deviation REALLY IRKED me.
In the novel: Rose intereacts more with Oliver.
In the mini-series: Rose barely spoke with Oliver (not Ms. Knightley's fault; it was the screenwriter's fault); in addition, there was hardly any emotion when a secret involving both of them was revealed (again, it was entirely the screenwriter's fault).
When aired on TV in 2002, it was rated TV-PG for violence. Actually, the mini-series is Not Rated. I enjoyed it, as a period piece and, of course, because of Kiera Knightley (who was, I deeply feel, sorely underused).
DVD Review: Shame its been cut.
Summary: 2 Stars
This is the one of the best Oliver Twist adaptions I've seen. Shame Masterpiece Theater had to ruin it.
People should be aware (I wasn't) that this version is 36 minutes shorter than the one shown on the BBC in the UK and the CBC in Canada. I don't know why American versions of British shows always have great chunks chopped out but it's very annoying as it disrupts the storyline.
DVD Review: Oliver Twist
Summary: 5 Stars
Another great Masterpiece Theatre production, along with a prequel not written by Dickens, but it could have been; it's that good!
DVD Review: Major Disappointment
Summary: 1 Stars
Those purchasing this production and expecting to experience the classic tale of Oliver Twist are in for a major disappointment. The story line was altered to such a degree, I felt that it degraded a great classic. Several important characters in the novel are completely omitted, while several minor characters are completely changed or are given key importance in the story line. While viewing this DVD I couldn't comprehend the reasoning behind this other than it being an indication that the screenwriter was arrogant enough to feel that he could come up with a better story line than Charles Dickens.
Too bad that screenwriters weren't on strike for this production. I would have saved money that I felt was thrown down the drain.
Description of Oliver Twist (Masterpiece Theatre, 1999)
In this extraordinary production, storyteller Alan Bleasdale broadens the scope of Charles Dickens' classic tale of an orphan in 19th century England?and the characters who influence his destiny.Oliver's mother, Agnes, struggles against the tragic circumstances that ultimately leave Oliver a penniless orphan. At the Parish Workhouse, he is forced by other boys to ask for more food, and as a result, is sold as an apprentice to a miserly undertaker. He runs away and is taken in by master thief Fagin, who is in league with a murderous pair determined to see that Oliver never inherits the fortune he deserves. Life twists and turns again and again for Oliver, landing him in alternately dangerous and hopeful circumstances.
Oliver Twist is a drama of dark comedy, astonishing vivacity and soaring imagination, but ultimately, it is a story that celebrates the resilience and triumph of a little boy's spirit.
Special DVD features include: materials and activities for educators; a link to the Masterpiece Theatre Web site; closed captions; and described video for the visually impaired.
On three DVD5 discs. Region coding: All regions. Audio: Dolby stereo. Screen format: Letterboxed.
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