Roman Polanski is a brave director. Charles Dickens’ classic novel has been filmed and dramatised on TV many times and each has tried to find an untapped angle, to produce something that Dickens himself would be proud of. 

For those who aren’t familiar with the story, Oliver Twist (Barney Clark) is an orphan raised in a Victorian workhouse who, after being thrown out for asking for more food, is apprenticed to an undertaker. Desperate to seek a better life, he heads for London and comes into contact with young pickpocket, the Artful Dodger; his fence, Fagin (Ben Kingsley); and the dangerous thief, Bill Sykes (Jamie Foreman).

Now to get down to the nuts and bolts. David Lean’s lavish version of Oliver Twist set the standard for all to follow and, unfortunately, Polanski’s movie falls short. Kingsley is on good form as the notorious manipulator of street children; Foreman is suitably menacing as his vicious robber and there are notably performances from Leanne Rowe as Nancy and Mark Strong as fellow thief, Toby Crackit; but the script is very weak. The main subplot regarding Oliver’s parentage has been completely removed (presumably to save time) and this dilutes Dickens’ story. What audiences do get is a tableau of the underbelly of Victorian London – a mass of festering slums, drunks, prostitutes, criminals and their social superiors who could be just as corrupt. This isn’t anything new, but is still tackled well enough to make its point. 

Nobody is going to describe this as an instant classic. Perhaps there is a director’s cut waiting in the wings and, if so, it would greatly improve the finished product. Until then, viewers will just have to make do with this.

(3/5)

 
Release Date: 13 February 2006

Oliver Twist