BootDigest
Such a frustrating disappointment
Dotsthavesp
I wanted to but couldn't!
CrawlerChunky
In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.
plutus1947
The star of this drama mini series for me has to be Marc Warren.Although the main stars in this series were Robert Lindsay, Julie Walters, Michael Kitchen and David Ross, Marc Warren was unsurpassed in his portrayal of Monks.I would assume virtually all know the story of the poor Oliver Twist and they will be aware of the storyline.ITV however did more in this presentation. They actually started their story from before Oliver was born and the circumstances behind his mother becoming pregnant and her ultimate death.Although I believe the BBC is the worlds best at producing drama, especially period drama I feel the ITV presentation was as good as, indeed better than some of the BBC's offerings.The whole cast was skilfully put together and the writing and direction was flawless. Of course Messrs Walters Kitchen, Lindsay and Ross were their usual perfect selves.As I said at the beginning of my appraisal of Oliver Twist, Marc Warren was superlative in his role as Monks. I first saw Warren in an episode of Frost and thought then that this actor was destined for great things. I have since seen him in other dramas and my opinion has not changed. Neither can I wait to see him in Mutual Friends.POSSIBLE SPOILER.How great an actor he is came to the fore when he portrayed Monks in Oliver Twist. His role was by far the most difficult and demanding. The contortions of his face which he had to master, the way he had to use his eyes and the epileptic seizures he had to perform must have been extremely difficult but he performed these actions flawlessly.POSSIBLE SPOILER ENDS.Warren must have been completely drained after his filming sessions, but he should feel proud and delighted with the result. I cannot understand why he was never nominated for an award for his role.Marc, for what its worth, you have my nomination.I know this version of Oliver Twist was made in 1999 but I have only just seen it and to those who love Dickens but have not seen this version of Oliver Twist I urge you to do so as I feel you will not be disappointed.
josephmyers
I thought that this was quite a good take on the dickens classic apart some of the acting. Julie Walters as always amazing bUT some of the main characters were terrible espessialy oliver played by sam smith the casting was bad if he was the best child for the job he was awful he can not act to save his life i hope never to see him on screen or stage again but he was quite amusing he was so bad but apart from him it was good
martinu-2
This is a truly inspired version of the classic Dickens story.Alan Bleasdale has devised an explanation of the events which lead up to Oliver's mother arriving at the workhouse, and fleshes out minor characters such as Monks and Mrs Leeford.Some characters stand out:Fagin is mesmerising when played as part-villain and part-magician: the final scenes in the condemned cell are powerful as well as surprisingly moving, even if some of Robert Lindsay's nervous tics are rather too reminiscent of his portrayal of Michael Murray in GBH!Michael Kitchen makes a perfect Mr Brownlow: his rather pompous Oxford-English accent is exactly as I imagined Mr Brownlow having read the novel.Andy Serkis is superbly cast as Bill Sikes - I cannot imagine a more terrifying and brutal portrayal.Marc Warren's portrayal of Monks makes this rather shadowy character come alive in a way that Dickens' description never could, even if the double-act between the domineering Mrs Leeford and the inept and epileptic Monks is comical and farcical at times.A few minor details have been altered: the "crib at Chertsey", owned by Mrs Maylie and her daughter Rose, becomes Mr Brownlow's country residence, and Rose Maylie becomes Rose Fleming, Oliver Twist's aunt. However (in my opinion) these changes serve to bring together several unrelated threads of the novel and actually improve the story.
dennis-77
Oliver Twist was on at the same time as another costume drama so we taped Oliver and the other one and also watched the other. It was dull, so the next week I watched Oliver Twist. I wish I had watched it from the start. It inspired me to read the book, although I wish I hadn't, I much prefer this version. The writer has changed much over it making it seem more vicious but more human as well. On the acting front it was hilarious, very nearly over the top and just right for a Dickens melodrama. The one character who I thought was fantastic was Monks, the actor who played him deserves a BAFTA or something. In the book he is a thoroughly nasty and boring character, in this he is nasty but interesting as well. I liked the way it looked, it was very grubby, and you could see why Oliver was liked by everybody, which was a bit different. The end episode is great and had me nearly in tears. A really good production.
