Best Picture Winner: 1968

Oliver! (1968)

Upon until its final acts of violence, Oliver! is about as sweet a film that could be made about orphans being lured into a life of crime. Adapted from the stage musical based upon Charles Dickens’ novel Oliver Twist, Oliver! is a giddy enterprise with lively song and dance numbers, engaging performances, and an eager-to-please approach.

Young Oliver (Mark Lester), an orphan who died shortly after his mother gave birth, works at the Workhouse, a place where boys are subjected to grueling labor and inadequate nutrition. When Oliver asks for another helping of gruel he is sold to an undertaker. Oliver escapes to the streets of London where he meets Dodger (Jack Wild), a boy about Oliver’s age who makes his living picking pockets. Dodger takes Oliver to meet his boss and provider, Fagin (Ron Moody, in a delightful performance), who allows Oliver to join the gang of young thieves under his wing. Danger comes from Bill Sikes (Oliver Reed), a former pupil of Fagin’s who has continued his life of crime well into adulthood. When Sikes suspects Oliver may tell all he knows to the police after being falsely arrested, Sikes plans to kidnap Oliver, and perhaps, do even worse.

Oliver! is a real treat that features several infectious set pieces. The opening song, “Food, Glorious Food,” has the orphans longing for something other than the tasteless mash they are being served. “Pick a Pocket or Two” has Fagin humorously demonstrating the craft of lifting sundry goods. “Who Will Buy?” which opens the second act, is a lovely sequence showing the beginning of the busy day for those who hawk their wares on the streets. And “Reviewing the Situation” has Fagin trying to decide if he should leave his life of crime. All of these numbers are energetically choreographed and wittily written. They bring a smile to the face in spite of the fact that there is a dark side to the subject matter, specifically, abuse and poverty.

Thus when Oliver! turns nasty during the climax it’s rather jarring. There’s a brutal attack and lives are at stake. And while the requisite happy ending does follow, there is still a bit of a sour taste left over.

Of the cast, Ron Moody is the stand out. In spite of his wild, glazed eyes and Satan-like beard, Fagin is really a sweetheart in that he abhors violence and has a fondness for his lads. Technically Fagin is a villain, albeit a minor one. But Moody makes him loveable. Mark Lester makes a fine Oliver and never overplays him or mugs for the camera. And Oliver Reed is appropriately intense as that no-good Sikes.

But it’s the engaging music and largely pleasant tone that make Oliver! so rewarding. It would be the last true musical to win Best Picture until Chicago in 2002. Chicago also deals with unsavory types and violence but isn’t nearly as much fun as Oliver! Today Oliver! looks better than ever.