The Best Picture of 1968 is…..”Oliver!” This musical drama film is the story of Oliver Twist, a 9-year-old orphan boy who falls in with the wrong crowd, a group of street urchin pickpockets led by the Artful Dodger. When one of Oliver’s intended marks takes pity on him and offers Oliver a home, the Dodger’s goons plots to kidnap the boy to keep him from talking.
This highly entertaining musical with outstanding production values was expertly crafted by director Carol Reed (“The Agony and the Ecstasy” 1965) and screenwriter Vernon Harris, based on the 1969 musical stage play by Lionel Bart, which was in turn adapted from the 1837 novel “Oliver Twist” by Charles Dickens. It was nominated for twelve Academy Awards, winning six: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Art Direction, Best Sound, Best Musical Score (Johnny Green), and an Honorary Academy Award to Onna White for the amazing choreography.
The cast is headed by Mark Lester, talented young actor who went on to star in a number of films. Co-stars include Ron Moody as Fagin, Jack Wild as Artful Dodger, Oliver Reed as Sikes, Shani Wallis as Nancy, Harry Secombe as Mr. Bumble, Joseph O’Conor as Mr. Brownlow, and Hugh Griffith as the Magistrate. “Oliver!” was a big hit in theatrical release for producer John Wollf, Romulus Films, and Columbia Pictures. It was the only “G” rated film to win the Best Picture Oscar, in the Motion Picture Association’s film ratings system adopted in 1968.
Oliver! (1968)
cinema
My Review
The Best Picture of 1968 is…..”Oliver!” This musical drama film is the story of Oliver Twist, a 9-year-old orphan boy who falls in with the wrong crowd, a group of street urchin pickpockets led by the Artful Dodger. When one of Oliver’s intended marks takes pity on him and offers Oliver a home, the Dodger’s goons plots to kidnap the boy to keep him from talking.
This highly entertaining musical with outstanding production values was expertly crafted by director Carol Reed (“The Agony and the Ecstasy” 1965) and screenwriter Vernon Harris, based on the 1969 musical stage play by Lionel Bart, which was in turn adapted from the 1837 novel “Oliver Twist” by Charles Dickens. It was nominated for twelve Academy Awards, winning six: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Art Direction, Best Sound, Best Musical Score (Johnny Green), and an Honorary Academy Award to Onna White for the amazing choreography.
The cast is headed by Mark Lester, talented young actor who went on to star in a number of films. Co-stars include Ron Moody as Fagin, Jack Wild as Artful Dodger, Oliver Reed as Sikes, Shani Wallis as Nancy, Harry Secombe as Mr. Bumble, Joseph O’Conor as Mr. Brownlow, and Hugh Griffith as the Magistrate. “Oliver!” was a big hit in theatrical release for producer John Wollf, Romulus Films, and Columbia Pictures. It was the only “G” rated film to win the Best Picture Oscar, in the Motion Picture Association’s film ratings system adopted in 1968.