(1946, dir. David Lean, w/ John Mills, Valerie Hobson)

Yet another wonderful Dickens study of what really makes someone great. The lesson in all his stories is that humanity cannot be measured from without, that heaven often tests us on this by disguising our greatest leaders to be in costumes that to the naked (or ignorant) eye seem un-befitting of greatness. Only the compassionate shall inherit the earth. David Lean's treatment makes this crystal clear. David Lean Tribute

(1948, dir. David Lean, w/ Alec Guiness, Robert Newton)

Oliver Twist will start at approximately 9:54pm, and finish at approximately 11:45pm.

If you, like me have grown up with the Carry On/Oops! Vicar perception of Dickens' stories, then I prescribe to you Mr Lean's treatments to restore your faith. It's a simple tale of cruelty versus compassion. But to give compassion real authority, the cruelty must be similarly weighted. While Ron Moody's Fagin (from the musical) gets the 'lovable rogue' depiction, Guinness' dirt is real. Same goes for the rest of the cast. Dickens wasn't intending caricature, he was intending realism.