DVD Review: Oliver!
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this G-rated film has some sad, tense, and scary scenes that may upset younger or more sensitive kids. Oliver's circumstances are harsh and before he meets the man who will eventually adopt him, he's not treated well by the adults in his life. He's yelled at, threatened, chased, and kidnapped. He's befriended by Nancy (who becomes somewhat of a mother figure to the lad), but she's tragically murdered by her criminal boyfriend. Oliver steals, but for him, it's a matter of survival. Bill Sikes is a truly scary character who may upset younger or more sensitive kids.
- Families can talk about Nancy's relationship with Bill, and about the mistakes people often make when they think that loving someone can change them. Why does Mr. Sowerberry insult Oliver? Oliver wants someone to "buy" his happy moment and save it for him. If you could pick a day to have saved that way, what day would you choose? Why did Nancy stay with Bill? Why does Mr. Brownlow think that he can trust Oliver? How does that trust make Oliver feel? What would Mr. Brownlow have done if he had not turned out to be related to Oliver?
Based on Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist, this glorious musical (an Oscar-winner for Best Picture) centers on young Oliver (Mark Lester), an orphan who so outrages the orphanage staff by asking for a second bowl of gruel that he's sold to undertaker Mr. Sowerberry as an apprentice. He runs away from the abuse and meets charming rapscallion Artful Dodger (Jack Wild). Dodger is part of a gang of child pickpockets led by Fagin (Ron Moody), who takes young Oliver in as his new apprentice thief. Oliver is arrested for picking the pocket of wealthy Mr. Brownlow, who takes an interest in him and brings him home. Bill Sikes (Oliver Reed), a murderous thief who works with Fagin, kidnaps Oliver to prevent him from giving away the details of their enterprise. Bill kills his girlfriend, Nancy, when she tries to help Oliver escape. Bill himself is killed, and Oliver is returned to Mr. Brownlow, who turns out to be his uncle.
With many truly glorious songs and stellar performances, this 1968 film version of the Broadway musical earned six Oscars. Although young Oliver is truly alone in the beginning of the film, Fagin and the boys give him a sense of family, singing warmly to him that he's to "consider yourself one of us!" They're the first to see him as an individual instead of as a troublesome animal and the first to give him any affection.
On the less warm-and-fuzzy side, there are some truly nefarious adult characters here. Bill Sikes is entirely amoral, willing to do anything to further his own interests. Orphanage manager Mr. Bumble and undertaker Mr. Sowerberry, both considered by themselves and those around them to be sterling, law-abiding citizens, aren't much better. Like Bill, they have no compunctions about putting their own interests first, no matter what the cost is to others. But Nancy and Fagin have limits. They'll engage in small crimes, but have some sense of fundamental integrity.
Annie
Pollyanna
Anne of Green Gables
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