Oliver-The compleat musical

Media

Part of The Philippine Magazine

Title: Oliver-The compleat musical
Language: English
Year: 1969
Subject: Musical films
Rights
Abstract: [This introduces the film-musical entitled “Oliver” recreated by Charles Dickens from his novel Oliver Twist.]
Fulltext: B OYBOOD happens only once to every man, and there are thoae who would try to recapture it the rest of their lives, some by returning to the pathetic infancy of a "1econd childhood," a few through the world of literature and art. Charles Dickens recaptured his by re-creating the world of hia boyhood in hie novel Oliver Twitt, and what he had re-created is now brought to life again in a dazzling film-musical entitled Oli..er. "Magnificent" is perhaps the only word that can adequately describe this film. The words and music are superb by any 1tandard, aptly capturing the mood of the situations, paintinr the characters of those who sing it. The acting is first-rate. Though dominated by a cast of unknowns (unknown that ii to the rest of the world, save merry olde England), the performers manage to inject into "Oliver" not only the gaiety of a musical but the liveliness of life itself, it1 pathos and its jOfB. The timeless story of Oliver Twist is here, of course, but it is not so much this that you remember. It may be, as one critic described it, "your boyhood." - and the characters who peopled it. Ron Moody'• Fagin i1 every ~oy's first encounter with worldlineu and old age. Oliver Reed's Bi!l Sikes is the personification of th"' nightmares that haunt one's rrowing up. Shani Wallis ie big kind lister or maybe Mama - there to cheer 7ou up when the chips are d!Own. And who has not had a boyhood pal of the likes of Jack Wlld's Artful Dodger, the playmate who gives 7ou visions of the world if children could only rule it. Oliver is a prism for all these memories. And for a child, a young man or a parent, that's a hell of a rea1on to see this film. FM THI PHILIPPINE MAGAZINI I AUGUST U, 1969 \ PAGE 9
pages: 9