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Poster for Oliver Twist

Oliver Twist

Seen it?

1948 | 121 min | Drama

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 1 min.
What might put you off
  • Made in 1948: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

When 9-year-old orphan Oliver Twist dares to ask his cruel taskmaster, Mr. Bumble, for a second serving of gruel, he's hired out as an apprentice. Escaping that dismal fate, young Oliver falls in with the street urchin known as the Artful Dodger and his criminal mentor, Fagin. When kindly Mr. Brownlow takes Oliver in, Fagin's evil henchman Bill Sikes plots to kidnap the boy.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    100% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.6 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $400K worldwide on a $375K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 85K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by David Lean

  • John Howard DaviesOliver Twist
  • Robert NewtonBill Sykes
  • Alec GuinnessFagin
  • Kay WalshNancy
  • Francis L. SullivanMr. Bumble
  • Henry StephensonMr. Brownlow
  • Mary ClareMrs. Corney
  • Anthony NewleyArtful Dodger
  • Ralph TrumanMonks
  • Michael DearNoah Claypole