The Next Reel Film Podcast

Do the songs hold up? How strong of an adaptation is this of “Oliver Twist?” Did it deserve to win the Best Picture of 1968 Oscar? Tune in to this week’s show to get these answers and more!

Show Notes

"You raised an artificial spirit in the lad unbecoming to his station in life. This would never have happened if you kept him on gruel."

Film adaptations of Charles Dickens’ works almost seem as common as Shakespeare’s works. It’s even quite possible that certain stories of his may have been adapted for the screen more frequently than some from the Bard. When Carol Reed brought Lionel Bart’s musical stage adaptation to the big screen in 1968, the time was ripe for it. Audiences and critics loved it. The film won a bunch of Oscars. It made a bunch of money. But how well does it hold up 50 years later? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our look at films nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars 50 years ago, this time with Reed’s 1968 film Oliver!.

We talk about our struggles with this film this go-around. We discuss the adaptations of “Oliver Twist” to the screen and where this fits… and discuss where it succeeds and fails in its translation. We chat about the actors that bring it to life and the technicians that create this world. And, of course, we talk about the music.

It’s a fun film but not one we think merits an Oscar for Best Picture. Still, it’s definitely worth talking about, so tune in to this week’s show to get in on the conversation! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!

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What is The Next Reel Film Podcast?

The Next Reel team has been dedicated to reviews, news, and commentary on world film for a decade. This podcast is The Next Reel master feed including all the episodes of The Next Reel, Trailer Rewind, The Film Board, The Speakeasy, and the other shorts, interviews, and specials we've produced over the years.