May 2, 2012
David Lean does Dickens like no other. Absolutely superb.
Robert Newton,
Alec Guinness,
Kay Walsh,
Francis L. Sullivan,
John Howard Davies
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The second of director David Lean's adaptations of a Charles Dickens novel (Great Expectations (1946) was the first), Oliver Twist expertly boils down an enormous novel to a little less than two hours... read more
DVD Release Date: January 12, 1999
Stats: 296 reviews
Your Rating
Flixster Reviews (296)
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September 9, 2008Beautiful and unrivaled adaptation of Oliver Twist. No amount of Food, Glorious Food is going to lay this gem to rest. Lean creates a visual masterpiece evident within the first couple of minutes, a dark and brooding storm that is reminiscent of many works of German expressionism... read more
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June 11, 2010With magnificent performances and beautiful black and white cinematography, this film ranks among David Lean's masterpieces, though it is hard for Alec Guinness to act under pounds of makeup and the second half of the story seems to forget its title character. 99/100
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October 20, 2008The master David Lean directs the best adaptation of the classic Oliver Twist. Alec Guinness puts in a fine performance as Fagin, and the transformation is amazing. The black and white visuals are stunning and add to the grim, dark atmosphere perfectly.
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December 30, 2009Another great adaptation by David Lean. He is a master filmmaker and does a great job at making these characters really come to life.
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August 18, 2009Certainly one of the greatest films ever made from a Charles Dickens novel. The cast is magnificent, Alec Guiness is particular is unforgettable. This is a great example of why David Lean is considered one of the greatest directors of all time. This is a rare instance of a movie ... read more
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April 30, 2007Atmosphere.
The Shylock is a little much...but as a picture of grasping evil, it is effective if the stereotype doesn't overcome you.
Some amazing scenes, and landscape that twists out of the ground and seems to snag all life that passes by.
Brilliant. And good on the Dickens. -
March 29, 2007Great adaption of the classic novel. Superb acting, & set design. The music is also of note, it's scored much like a Slient Movie, a bit overdramatic at times but it always fits the scene.
Critic Reviews
November 6, 2007
Don Druker, Chicago Reader
May 20, 2003
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
It is safe to proclaim that it is merely a superb piece of motion picture art and, beyond doubt, one of the finest screen translations of a literary classic ever made. Full Review
January 16, 2009
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
It's Lean's direction that makes the production really pop. It's relentless, but fluid and deft, keeping us on our toes rather than wallowing in misery. Full Review
March 25, 2008
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Despite compression of characters and charges of Alec Guinness' anti-Semitic potrayal of Fagin, David Lean's version is still the most dramatically compelling, historically atmopsheric, and flawlessly... Full Review
January 26, 2006
Time Out
Perhaps marginally less beguiling than Great Expectations, but still a moving and enjoyable account of Dickens' masterpiece. Full Review
December 31, 2005
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
Definitely the version to see before you subject yourself, say, to Polanski's bloated 2005 version. Full Review
September 30, 2005
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Classic Dickens ... the definitive version. Please, sir, we want some more!
October 1, 2003
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
The ultimate version of the Dickens novel.
July 30, 2003
TV Guide's Movie Guide
Many of the novel's characters have been excised or compressed to fit the time frame of the film, but only the most die-hard Dickensians will protest. Full Review
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Oliver Twist
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