Oliver Twist (2005)

Roman Polanski’s Oliver Twist (2005) is a faithful, visually rich adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novel. With a somber tone and strong performances, especially from Ben Kingsley as Fagin, the film offers a more grounded, darker take on the timeless story of a young orphan navigating the underbelly of 19th-century London.

Detailed Summary

The Orphaned Beginning

Oliver is born in a workhouse and orphaned shortly after birth. His early life is marked by institutional cruelty, including the infamous moment where he dares to ask, “Please, sir, I want some more,” and is subsequently punished. This segment emphasizes the harsh conditions of Victorian-era child welfare systems and sets up Oliver’s innocent nature against a brutal world.

Apprenticeship and Escape

After being deemed unfit for the workhouse, Oliver is sent to work for Mr. Sowerberry, an undertaker. He suffers more abuse there and finally escapes, making his way to London on foot. This journey is both physical and symbolic — Oliver is stepping out of systemic oppression into the chaotic, morally gray world of city life.

Meeting the Artful Dodger and Fagin

In London, Oliver meets the charismatic Artful Dodger, who introduces him to Fagin, an elderly man who runs a gang of child pickpockets. Fagin is a complex character — both a manipulative criminal and a pseudo-parent to the children. Ben Kingsley portrays him with eerie gentleness that’s both endearing and unsettling.

Oliver is unaware that he’s being trained to steal, and during his first outing, he is arrested for a theft he didn’t commit.

Mr. Brownlow’s Kindness

The man who was robbed, Mr. Brownlow, sees Oliver’s innocence and takes him in. For the first time, Oliver experiences a loving home. However, Fagin and his terrifying associate Bill Sikes fear Oliver will expose them. They kidnap him and return him to the criminal underworld.

Nancy’s Moral Conflict

Nancy, Sikes’ partner, becomes a pivotal figure. She sympathizes with Oliver and risks her own safety to help him. In an emotional and tragic turn, Nancy informs Mr. Brownlow of Oliver’s whereabouts, hoping to rescue him from Sikes’ influence.

Her decision ultimately leads to her murder at the hands of Sikes — a brutal moment that underscores the cost of doing the right thing in a corrupt world.

Sikes’ Downfall

After Nancy’s murder, Sikes attempts to flee but is haunted by guilt. As a mob forms to capture him, he accidentally hangs himself while trying to escape over a rooftop, bringing a grim but fitting end to his violent character.

Movie Ending – Full Explanation

In the film’s final scenes, Oliver is finally rescued and taken in permanently by Mr. Brownlow, who turns out to have a mysterious past connection to Oliver’s deceased mother. It is revealed that Oliver is the illegitimate son of a gentleman, giving him a rightful inheritance and a new place in society. This ending provides a bittersweet sense of closure — Oliver’s goodness and resilience are finally rewarded, but only after immense suffering.

Fagin is arrested and imprisoned. In a quiet and poignant scene, Oliver visits Fagin in jail before his execution. Fagin, now a broken man, begs Oliver to stay, showing a rare vulnerability. Oliver’s choice to see him one last time is an act of forgiveness, highlighting his compassion despite everything he’s endured.

The film closes on Oliver beginning a new chapter of life with Mr. Brownlow — a peaceful, dignified ending that reflects Dickens’ hope for social reform and the triumph of innocence over adversity.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Oliver Twist (2005) does not have any post-credits scenes. The story concludes entirely within the film’s runtime, in line with its classic and traditional storytelling approach.

Type of Movie

This film is a period drama and literary adaptation, deeply rooted in social realism. It combines historical storytelling with a character-driven narrative focused on poverty, morality, and redemption.

Cast

• Barney Clark as Oliver Twist
• Ben Kingsley as Fagin
• Jamie Foreman as Bill Sikes
• Leanne Rowe as Nancy
• Edward Hardwicke as Mr. Brownlow
• Mark Strong as Toby Crackit
• Harry Eden as The Artful Dodger

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Rachel Portman, known for her emotional and classical orchestration. Her music lends the film a melancholic and tender atmosphere, emphasizing both the bleakness of Oliver’s world and the moments of hope and kindness he experiences.

Filming Locations

• The movie was filmed in Prague, Czech Republic, where entire London street sets were built to authentically recreate 19th-century England.
• Prague’s historic architecture offered a perfect backdrop, enabling Roman Polanski to craft a dark, immersive version of Dickensian London without heavy reliance on CGI.

The atmospheric sets and muted color palette play a critical role in grounding the story in realism.

Awards and Nominations

• European Film Awards: Ben Kingsley was nominated for Best Actor.
• The film received several minor nominations for production and costume design but was largely overlooked during major award seasons.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Roman Polanski, who himself had experienced displacement and loss as a child during World War II, was drawn to Oliver’s story of resilience.
• Ben Kingsley reportedly immersed himself deeply into Fagin’s psyche, even adopting the character’s voice off-set.
• The Artful Dodger’s role was originally written with more comedic flair, but Polanski toned it down to match the film’s overall darker tone.
• The production constructed nearly 13 full-scale street sets in Prague for authentic street scenes.

Inspirations and References

• Based on Charles Dickens’ 1838 novel “Oliver Twist”, a scathing critique of the British Poor Laws and social injustice.
• The 2005 film remains closer in tone to the original novel, avoiding the musical format of previous versions like the 1968 Oliver!

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no known alternate endings, but early drafts of the screenplay included more scenes with Oliver’s life at the workhouse and a more extended arc for Fagin’s gang. These were trimmed to keep the film under 2 hours and maintain narrative focus.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The film remains very faithful to Dickens’ novel in tone and content.
Key differences:

• The novel contains more subplots and characters that were streamlined in the film.
• Fagin is portrayed with more nuance and less antisemitic caricature than in the book or earlier adaptations.
• The film focuses more tightly on Oliver’s emotional journey rather than Dickens’ broader satire.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Oliver asking for more food in the workhouse.
• Oliver’s first encounter with Fagin’s pickpocketing gang.
• Nancy’s confession to Mr. Brownlow at the bridge.
• Sikes murdering Nancy in a moment of raw brutality.
• Oliver visiting Fagin in prison before his execution.

Iconic Quotes

• “Please, sir, I want some more.”
• “You belong to me now, boy. To me!” – Bill Sikes
• “It’s a terrible thing, Oliver, to be poor and alone in the world.” – Fagin

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Fagin’s den is filled with trinkets and mementos that subtly hint at his long career in thievery — many of which are authentic period pieces.
• The number of steps in the workhouse scenes often mirror Biblical references, possibly nodding to Oliver as a Christ-like figure.
• The bridge where Nancy meets Mr. Brownlow is modeled after actual 19th-century London sketches from Dickens’ original illustrator.

Trivia

• Roman Polanski’s own childhood inspired his interest in adapting Oliver Twist — he had previously made The Pianist, another story of survival against the odds.
• Barney Clark was chosen out of over 800 boys who auditioned for Oliver.
• Fagin’s nose in the film was digitally altered to avoid the stereotypical and offensive features often used in older portrayals.
• This is Polanski’s second Dickens adaptation idea — he originally wanted to make A Tale of Two Cities but chose Oliver Twist for its personal relevance.

Why Watch?

This version of Oliver Twist offers a gritty and emotionally sincere take on a literary classic. Unlike musicals or over-sentimental adaptations, it presents a realistic portrait of poverty, crime, and compassion in Victorian London. It’s especially appealing for fans of historical drama, literary adaptations, and those looking for a more nuanced depiction of the characters Dickens made famous.

Director’s Other Movies

• The Pianist (2002)
• Chinatown (1974)
• The Ghost Writer (2010)
• Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
• Tess (1979)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Great Expectations (2012)
• Les Misérables (2012)
• David Copperfield (2019)
• The Secret Garden (1993)