Escaping the workhouse to seek a better life in London, young Oliver Twist (Clark) is befriended by a pickpocket known as the Artful Dodger and introduced to a collective of young boys who are trained to steal for their enigmatic master Fagin (Kingsley). Reuniting with screenwriter Ronald Harwood (who scripted the Oscar-winning The Pianist for him), Roman Polanski approaches Charles Dickens' formidable classic with an earthiness not present in previous cinematic versions. With a host of finely observed performances (not least from Ben Kingsley as the iconic Fagin), painstaking authenticity in the set design and sumptuous cinematography, this is the essence of the novel that will entertain viewers of all ages!
Directed by
Roman Polanski
Written by
Charles Dickens (novel); Ronald Harwood (screenplay).
Starring
Barney Clark (Oliver Twist); Jeremy Swift (Mr. Bumble); Ian McNeice (Mr. Limbkins); Richard Durden (Unkind Board Member); Timothy Bateson (Parson); Andy de la Tour (Workhouse Master); Filip Hess (Workhouse Boy (as Filip Hes)); Andreas Papadopoulos (Workhouse Boy); Laurie Athey (Workhouse Boy); Joseph Tremain (Hungry Boy); Peter Copley (Dining Hall Master); Andy Linden (Mr. Gamfield); John Nettleton (1st Magistrate); Tony Noble (2nd Magistrate); Michael Heath (Mr. Sowerberry). Please contact SFC to add other cast members and characters.
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