Oliver Twist Movie Review 2005

Hey, what would happen if Roman Polanski took on a classic Charles Dickens' tale? Already a dark enough story, Polanski adds what he always adds: depth and details. What's new, or perhaps simply fitting, is Polanski's take, using his own experiences in a Jewish ghetto to inform his interpretation of 19th century London slums. Lavish sets and costumes are set to a lush orchestral score, Ben Kingsley portrays the suitably frightening Fagin.

Distribution

Sony Pictures Home Video, Sony Pictures Plz., 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, Phone: (310)244-7306, Fax: (310)280-2485, URL: http://www.spe.sony.com, Remarks: Formerly Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment

Available on DVD
Running time 130 minutes.
Originally from British, Czech, French, Italian.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Books to Film: Charles Dickens, Adoption & Orphans, London, Child Abuse, Period Piece: 19th Century, Homeless, Kidnapped!, Great Britain

Screenplay

Ronald Harwood

Cast

Ben Kingsley, Jamie Foreman, Harry Eden, Leanne Rowe, Edward Hardwicke, Ian McNeice, Mark Strong, Jeremy Swift, Frances Cuka, Alun Armstrong, Peter Copley, Liz Smith, Barney Clark, Michael Heath, Gillian Hanna, Andy De La Tour

Cinematography

Pawel Edelman

Director

Roman Polanski

Music

Rachel Portman

Other

Jean-Marie Blondel, Herve De Luze, Anna Sheppard, Allan Starski

Producer

Robert Benmussa, Alain Sarde, Roman Polanski, Sony Pictures Entertainment