Sony’s MOD program has essentially re-issued Twilight Time’s now out of print Blu-ray of Oliver!, winner of six Academy Awards in 1968 including Best Picture.
The Production: 4.5/5
Charles Dickens classic tale of Oliver Twist was adapted as a stage musical in 1960 and was such a success that in 1968 Romulus Films hired Carol Reed to direct a film version that was released by Columbia Pictures. It is a very familiar story; a young boy, Oliver Twist (Mark Lester), is living at an orphanage under deplorable conditions. Sold to a funeral home, Oliver escapes to London, where he meets the Artful Dodger (Jack Wild), who introduces him to Fagin (Ron Moody). Fagin runs a pick pocketing gang full of orphaned children who also fence items stolen by Bill Sikes (Oliver Reed). Will Oliver continue a life of crime living on the streets of London, or will he find a family to adopt and love him?
The musical Oliver! has a special place in my heart, as it was the only musical in high school that I appeared in (as a member of the “adult” chorus), despite my being tone deaf and no real ability to sing. This movie version is pure magic, though, with brilliant and award-winning and nominated performances by Oliver Reed, Ron Moody, and Jack Wild (better known to US audiences as Jimmy from NBC’s H.R. Pufnstuf).
Video: 5/5
3D Rating: NA
Sony’s new MOD release appears to have the same transfer as the previous and now out of print Twilight Time release from 2013. For more details, see Richard Gallagher’s review of that disc.
Audio: 5/5
This appears to be the same DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track from Twilight Time’s release. For more details, see Richard Gallagher’s review of that disc.
Special Features: 3.5/5
Many of the special features from the previous Twilight Time release have been ported over for this Sony MOD release, with the notable exceptions of the sing-a-longs, dance instructions, the isolated score and 8-page booklet.
Original Behind the Scenes Featurette (1080i; 7:37): A very vintage and faded promotional film on the making of the movie.
The Locations of “Oliver!” (1080i; 4:37): A look at the many real locations that were recreated on the backlot of Shepperton Studios.
Meeting Oliver! (1080p; 14:45): Mark Lester discusses his role as Oliver in this 2007 interview.
Meeting Fagin! (1080p; 13:24): Ron Moody discusses his role as Fagin in this 2007 interview.
Theatrical Trailer (1080p; 1:44)
Overall: 5/5
It’s great to see Sony release many of their licensed titles that have gone out of print on Blu-ray, and Oliver! is no exception.
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titch
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I, for one, already have the TT edition; with both the isolated score tracks and 8-page booklet;
so, any other purchase would only occur if Sony decided to produce a 4K/UHD disc.
Let's hope.
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But visually, it is indeed simply wonderful. If you want to hear it as it should sound however, you must track down a copy of the original London cast recording. It's sublime. Never been bettered. And, as a bonus, that original cast recording features the great Barry Humphries as the undertaker, in 'That's Your Funeral'.
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The Google found it pretty quickly https://www.amazon.com/Oliver-1960-Original-London-Cast/dp/B000025BD5
The Beatles first appearances on the Ed Sullivan Shows have the original Broadway cast doing some of the songs as well ...
And I believe Mr. Jones may have Monkeed around with the notes in this full version of "I'ld Do Anything" ...
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I've been wanting an expanded soundtrack--with better sound quality--for the longest. At least the TT Blu-ray offers an M&E track. However, I wonder why Columbia and Sony have not reached out to Harvard's Houghton Library to get a copy of the original score. The library has in its archive, 10 of Green's reel-to-reel copies of transfers, playbacks, and background score.
https://hollisarchives.lib.harvard.edu/repositories/24/archival_objects/909303
https://hollisarchives.lib.harvard.edu/repositories/24/archival_objects/909304
https://hollisarchives.lib.harvard.edu/repositories/24/archival_objects/909412
