Oliver Twist (1997 film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oliver Twist |
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| Written by | Charles Dickens (novel) Monte Merrick (teleplay) Stephen Sommers (uncredited) |
| Directed by | Tony Bill |
| Starring | Richard Dreyfuss Elijah Wood David O'Hara Alex Trench |
| Theme music composer | Van Dyke Parks |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | John Baldecchi Stephen Sommers |
| Editor(s) | Axel Hubert |
| Running time | 91 min. |
| Production company(s) | Walt Disney Television |
| Distributor | Buena Vista Television |
| Release | |
| Original network | ABC |
| Original release | November 16, 1997 |
Oliver Twist is a 1997 American TV movie. It is based on the famous 1838 novel by Charles Dickens called Oliver Twist. The movie was directed by Tony Bill and produced by Walt Disney Television. It stars Richard Dreyfuss, Elijah Wood, David O'Hara, and Alex Trench as Oliver.
Like many movies based on the book, some parts of the story were changed. For example, Oliver's half-brother, Monks, is not in this film. Also, Nancy is killed at London Bridge, not in her home. Fagin, a main character, is not sentenced to death and can escape. The movie first aired on ABC on November 16, 1997. It was part of The Wonderful World of Disney.
Contents
The Story of Oliver Twist
Oliver's Early Life
The movie begins with a woman giving birth to a baby boy. This happens at an orphanage run by the Widow Corney. The woman dies, leaving behind a locket with a picture of her mother. Corney takes the locket. Her assistant names the baby Oliver Twist.
Six years later, Oliver is working at the orphanage. He asks to see his locket. Corney promises he can have it when he turns twelve. On the night before his twelfth birthday, Oliver is forced to ask Corney for more food. She gets angry and throws him out of the workhouse. Oliver returns later that night to steal his locket. Then, he heads off to London.
Meeting Fagin's Gang
In London, Oliver is very hungry. He tries to steal an apple but is stopped by a young man. This young man is Jack Dawkins, also known as the Artful Dodger. Dodger tells Oliver he is a professional thief. He offers to take Oliver to meet his boss, Fagin. Fagin is an old, clever man who teaches a group of boys how to steal.
When Oliver arrives, Fagin takes his locket. Oliver also meets Bill Sikes, a dangerous thief. Sikes owes Fagin a lot of money. Oliver also meets Nancy, Sikes's kind girlfriend. Dodger starts teaching Oliver how to pick pockets.
Oliver's First Job
One night, Oliver sees Fagin admiring his hidden treasure. Fagin warns Oliver not to steal from it. But Fagin admits he is keeping Oliver's locket there. Three months later, Oliver is sent on his first stealing job. Dodger plans for Oliver to pick a watch from a man.
Oliver is caught while trying to steal the watch. Dodger quickly grabs the watch and runs away with Oliver. But Oliver gets separated and is mistakenly thought to be the thief. Dodger quietly goes to court to help Oliver. The victim's niece, Rose, tells the court that Oliver was not the thief. Oliver also refuses to name Dodger. Rose invites Oliver to stay at their mansion.
A Family Secret
At the mansion, Oliver sees a portrait on the wall. It is a picture of the same lady in his locket. He learns it is Mr. Brownlow's late wife. Mr. Brownlow's daughter always carried a locket with that portrait. Oliver and Rose realize that Oliver might be Mr. Brownlow's grandson and Rose's cousin.
Meanwhile, Dodger finds Oliver. Sikes convinces Fagin that Oliver knows too much. They decide to kidnap Oliver with help from Dodger and Nancy. Nancy does not want to do it. Dodger also refuses to put Oliver in a bag for the kidnapping.
Trouble and Escape
Back at the hideout, Oliver confirms he did not tell anyone about the gang. He tells Nancy he liked staying with the Brownlows. Nancy tries to take Oliver back to the mansion. But Sikes sees her and forces her to return. Sikes becomes suspicious of Nancy. He hires Dodger to follow her the next day.
Sikes later learns from Oliver where Fagin's treasure is kept. That night, Sikes forces Oliver to go to the Brownlows' house. He makes Oliver steal at gunpoint. Inside, Oliver purposely drops a bag of silver. This wakes up Rose. Sikes and Oliver escape, but Mr. Brownlow sees Oliver. He now thinks Oliver is a thief. Dodger encourages Oliver to escape if he gets a chance.
The Final Confrontation
The next day, Nancy goes to the Brownlows. Dodger follows her without her knowing. She tells them about Oliver's kidnapping. She agrees to return Oliver at London Bridge at midnight. Dodger, threatened by Sikes, tells Sikes about the plan.
Still wanting Oliver to be free, Dodger takes Oliver to the bridge himself. This is to trick Sikes. But Nancy does not know Dodger's plan. She is killed by a very angry Sikes at the bridge. Sikes accuses her of betraying him.
Meanwhile, Oliver goes back to the hideout to get his locket. Sikes arrives and sees the treasure. As he tries to run away with it, Fagin arrives. Dodger also arrives, furious about Nancy's death. Nancy's body is found, and the police follow Sikes's dog to the hideout.
Sikes locks the door and takes the treasure box and Oliver to the roof. He leaves Dodger and Fagin below. On the roof, Oliver grabs the box from Sikes. Sikes turns on Oliver and slips. His neck gets caught in a rope, and he dies. The police watch this happen. Dodger is arrested for his stealing. Fagin talks with Oliver about the locket, and Oliver finally gets it back. The locket proves that Oliver is Mr. Brownlow's grandson. Oliver says goodbye to Dodger, promising to see him again. Oliver is last seen sleeping happily in his new home.
Cast
- Richard Dreyfuss as Fagin
- Elijah Wood as The Artful Dodger
- David O'Hara as Bill Sikes
- Alex Trench as Oliver Twist
- Antoine Byrne as Nancy
- Olivia Caffrey as Rose Maylie
- Anthony Finigan as Mr. Brownlow
- Maria Charles as Widow Corney
- Des Braiden as Orphanage Magistrate
- Eileen Colgan as Mrs. Bedwin, the Brownlow's maid.
- Eilish Moore as Cook
- Lisa Dwan as Agnes, Oliver's mother.
- Conor Evans as Chief Constable
- A.J. Kennedy as Police Constable
