Oliver! 1968

As the cinematic canvas unfolds, we find ourselves transported to a bleak London landscape circa 1837, a time marked by the draconian ‘New Poor Law’. The narrative commences within the confines of a workhouse, where a throng of emaciated, barefooted boys are housed. Mr. Bumble (Harry Secombe), the workhouse governor, and his wife, Mrs. Bumble (Peggy Mount), enter the scene, their authoritative presence commanding attention. The sound of a bell signals mealtime, and the boys are served meager rations of gruel as they lament their hunger with a poignant rendition of ‘Food, Glorious Food!’. A somber mood settles over the group as they draw straws to determine who will receive an additional serving. Oliver Twist (Mark Lester), a small, bespectacled boy with a keen sense of curiosity, inadvertently draws the longest straw, prompting him to approach Mr. and Mrs. Bumble with an unassuming request: “Please Sir, I want some more.” The ensuing reaction from Mr. Bumble is one of outrage, as he sings a scathing rebuke directed at Oliver.

As the consequences of Oliver’s plea unfold, Mr. Bumble deems it necessary to present the boy before the workhouse governors, who subsequently order his removal. The scene shifts to depict Oliver, clad in tattered rags, and Mr. Bumble navigating the city streets in search of a buyer for the young boy (Boy For Sale). Their journey takes them to the doorstep of an undertaker, Mr. Sowerberry (Leonard Rossiter), who purchases Oliver and assigns him the task of coffin follower.

As the days pass, Oliver’s frustration boils over when he is subjected to taunts from his fellow apprentice, Noah, regarding his biological mother. In a burst of anger, Oliver retaliates, earning himself a stint in the cellar as punishment. Amidst this turmoil, Oliver finds solace in a haunting melody, ‘Where Is Love?’, which serves as a poignant reflection on his past.

Oliver’s escape from the cellar marks the beginning of his odyssey, as he climbs onto a passing carriage and makes his way to London. The city’s vibrant rhythms greet him, and he soon encounters Jack Dawkins, also known as the ‘Artful Dodger’ (Jack Wild), who introduces himself with a charming smile. The Artful Dodger offers Oliver a glimpse into his own world, where an “old gentleman” provides lodging for nothing (Consider Yourself).

Their journey takes them to the lair of Fagin (Ron Moody), a shrewd and cunning mentor who educates Oliver on the art of pilfering valuables from unsuspecting gentlemen (You’ve Got To Pick A Pocket Or Two). As night falls, Fagin slips away to meet Bill Sikes (Oliver Reed) at a local tavern, exchanging spoils from their respective escapades. Meanwhile, Nancy (Shani Wallis), Sikes’ lover and a tender-hearted barmaid, shares her tale of woe and devotion with a melancholic ‘It’s A Fine Life’, foreshadowing the turmoil that lies ahead.