If there was ever a movie that could make you fall in love with musicals, it is the 1968 Motion Picture Lionel Bart's Oliver! The Musical. I watched it numerous times on television back in the 1970s and I was glued to my seat. I enjoyed the musical so much I had to read Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens and I read the unabridged version. I had to read all the cockney aloud just so I could understand what they were saying.
Carol Reed directed the movie, and the story literally sings as you watch it. All the children who performed in the movie were brilliant. I love the first scenes when they sing; Food, Glorious Food, and you could tell they were absolutely dying for real food instead of gruel.
Mark Lester comes off as the timid, but brave little Oliver Twist, especially when he goes up to Mr. Bumble played by Harry Secombe and asks for “more” gruel. Peggy Mount who plays Mrs. Bumble has a deep bellowing voice that is perfect sounding when she is performing the song Oliver with Harry Secombe.
Every song in this musical touches your heart, from Boy For Sale, to Consider Yourself. I love all the songs that Fagin's boys sing, and I especially love it when Fagin is Reviewing the Situation.
Mark Wild plays the Artful Dodger. He radiates a character that rightfully deserves. Dodger is the most loveable of characters, which is pretty good if you consider he is a pickpocket by trade and at the top of his game, But the Ron Moody who plays Fagin takes on the most loveable characteristics also considering he is a scoundrel.
Oliver Reed who plays Bill Sikes is definitely scary and is every bit believable as mean. He could scare the dickens out of anyone.
The movie won five Oscars. It reserved one for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Sound. Onna White received an Honorary Award for outstanding choreography. It won a Golden Globe for best Musical Motion Picture also. Ron Moody also won a Golden Globe for his role as Fagin. It is for all the reasons that I keep coming back to watch it again and again because the picture carries me away.
