Oliver Twist

feature film, drama, UK, 1948

DIRECTED BY: David Lean

Oliver Twist

CAST:
John Howard Davies (Oliver Twist),
Robert Newton (Bill Sykes),
Alec Guinness (Fagin),
Kay Walsh (Nancy),
Anthony Newley (Artful Dodger)

SCRIPT:
David Lean,
Stanley Haynes (based on novel by Charles Dickens)

PHOTOGRAPHY:
Guy Green

MUSIC:
Arnold Bax

EDITING:
Jack Harris

Synopsis:

This is a film adaptation of Dickens’ novel starring John Howard Davies as Twist and Alec Guinness as Fagin, the leader of the gang of young pickpockets that Oliver joins after arriving in London. At the time it was made, the film created controversy because of how Alec Guinness’ character was supposedly depicted in an anti-Semitic manner. It was shown in the US three years after its premiere in London, in a shortened version, while it was completely banned in Israel and Egypt.

b/w, 105'

Trailer