Oliver Twist (1982 TV film)
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Oliver Twist is a 1982 made-for-TV adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic of the same name, premiering on the CBS television network. Stars include George C. Scott, Tim Curry, and introducing Richard Charles as Oliver, in his first major film role.
[edit] Plot
The film opens with a young, blonde-haired woman outdoors during a rainstorm. She is seen struggling on her knees, and she manages to stumble into a home. The occupants, learning that the pregnant woman is about to go into labour, make preparations for her birth.
With some difficulty, the unnamed woman gives birth to a baby boy, with the assistance of a midwife, known as Mrs. Corney (Anne Tirard). The woman sees her son for a mere few seconds, then without saying a word, asks those assisting her to care for her baby before she collapses and dies. Witnessing the woman's birth is Mr. Bumble (Timothy West), a hard-nosed man in charge of the local orphans workhouse. With no information on the mother's identity, he gives the boy the name Oliver Twist.
Like the other boys in the workhouse, Oliver lives a hard life of endless labour and schooling, with only a bowl of gruel for supper, while Bumble sits above them feasting on food such as leg of lamb. After seeing a half-starved youngster next to him devour his bowl and still wanting more, Oliver, in a gesture of compassion, offers the lad his own, then goes up to Bumble and asks for more, unaware of the consequences. His request angers Bumble, who hires him out to work for Mr Sowerberry, a local undertaker.
Sowerberry exploits Oliver's pathetic features by using him as a silent mourner, present at burials for the dead who are without family or friends. Oliver's situation is not much different than the workhouse, as he is given a workbench to sleep on and scraps that Sowerberry's dogs refuse to eat for food. Oliver also becomes the object of Noah Claypoole's (Philip Davis) hatred.
Claypoole, a teenager, has been assigned to supervise Oliver. He gives Oliver harsh tasks and becomes further resentful when Sowerberry decides to use Oliver instead of him for silent mourner duties. Claypoole taunts Oliver one day, making fun of his dead mother. The remark angers Oliver, who delivers a surprisingly powerful blow to Claypoole's face, breaking his nose.
Sowerberry rushes in and after learning what caused the fracas, takes Claypoole's side and tells Oliver he will be returned to the workhouse the following day. Oliver waits until later that evening and then sneaks out. He roams the streets that evening until he is met by the Artful Dodger (Martin Tempest). Aware of Oliver's plight as he too is an orphan, the Artful Dodger offers Oliver lodgings from his benefactor. Oliver agrees, unaware of what he has got himself into.
Oliver is now part of a band of thieves, overseen by Fagin (George C. Scott), a kindly Jewish man of dark features. Among Fagin's group are Bill Sikes (Tim Curry), a drunk who oversees the orphan thieves, and Nancy, an attractive young woman often used for sexual favours, and frequently abused by Bill, who later kills her. She takes a liking to Oliver.
Oliver is made aware of his true purpose with Fagin when he is expected to work as a pickpocket. Oliver is arrested, but is cleared by a witness. An elderly man, Mr Brownlow then takes Oliver home. However, his new found happiness does not last long, as he is captured by members of Fagin's gang while he is on an errand. He is then forced to burglarize a home, but is shot in the process. His would-be victims take pity upon him and care for him, as had Brownlow.
Throughout all of this is the obsession of one man bent on discrediting Oliver and his reputation, Monks (Oliver Cotton), who has a distinguishing red birthmark over his left eye, has learned that although he and Oliver are born of different mothers, they are of the same father. Though Monks is legitimate, he sees Oliver as a threat to his own reputation. His efforts prove unsuccessful, and Oliver is eventually reunited with Brownlow.
Fagin and his gang are finally disbanded as an angry mob descends upon them. "Filthy Jew!" shouts one man who strikes him in the face. Fagin rails against the crowd as he is led away. "If you need money, I am the clever Jew. If you need my help I am the kind Kew. You all sicken me."
Brownlow, who it is revealed was a a friend of Oliver's father, does some investigative work on his own to bring justice to his friend's young son. He learns of the cruelty and inhumane conditions at the workhouse, and also learns of Bumble's theft of workhouse funds for his own benefit, money which has been intended to properly feed and clothe the orphans. Bumble immediately blames his wife, Mrs Mann (whom he proposed to at the start of the film) for the misappropriations and claims to love Oliver as he does the other orphans. Not fooled by the charade, Brownlow informs Bumble that under British law, a husband is accountable for his wife's misdeeds, prompting Bumble's reply "If that's the law, then the law is an ass." Brownlow then tells Bumble that he and his wife will lose their workhouse jobs and may even face criminal charges.
