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Created Jun 18, 2011 05:32PM PST • Edited Jun 18, 2011 05:32PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Really Great 4.5

   A true classic of a movie, this really great film has been (somewhat sadly, I must now say) by the musical version released in 1968. Although I have not actually read Dickens’ book, this version feels much more true-to-the-book than its musical counterpart, and I liked it. Coming in at just under 2 hours, this is a thrilling crime drama, and should not be considered a movie for young children. Also, many of the theme set forth by this movie, from Twist’s appearance to the scenery and sets, were copied almost exactly in the later musical adaptation.

4. Acting

   Really Great 4.5

   John Howard Davies as Oliver is fantastic, especially for a kid. Robert Newton (Bill Sikes), Alec Guinness (Fagin), and Anthony Newley (Artful Dodger) complete a stand-out lineup of supporting leads, as do the remainder of the primary cast.

5. Male Stars Really Great 4.5

6. Female Stars Really Great 4.5

7. Female Costars Really Great 4.5

8. Male Costars Really Great 4.5

10. Film

    Really Great 4.5

    Well-shot, great script adaptation, and suspense-fully produced. The music is great (though I admit, having just watched the ’68 musical version a few days ago, that I kept expecting them to break into song at some point.

11. Direction Really Great 4.5

12. Play Really Great 4.5

13. Music Really Great 4.5

14. Visuals Really Great 4.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 1.8

    Although there’s no blood, guts, or gore, the violence is definitely a major part of the story and was not skipped in the filming.

17. Sex Innocent 1.0

18. Violence Brutal 3.0

19. Rudeness Polite 1.5

21. Reality

    Glib 2.0

22. Circumstantial Glib 2.0

23. Biological Glib 2.0

24. Physical Glib 2.0