

Oliver faces constant verbal and physical threats, canings, bulling, and food depravation.

Not shying away from the darker elements of Charles Dickens’ novel, Roman Polanski’s film depicts the dangerous side of the den of thieves the young orphan falls into. Why is Oliver Twist (Roman Polanski’s) rated PG-13? Oliver Twist (Roman Polanski’s) is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for disturbing images. Starring Roman Polanski, Ben Kingsley, Barney Clark. For teens and older children, this tale may present an interesting twist to the grand images of life in London. While Roman Polanski’s interpretation of Oliver is a sullen one, the film portrays well the appalling conditions of the menial workers who labored in the shadow of England’s upper classes. Yet even in these uninviting conditions, Oliver remains innately good. Their shoddy treatment of the other homeless juveniles includes routine slaps and rough pushes. Afraid he may squeal on them, they apply needless force, threatening Oliver with a loaded pistol and mercilessly beating to death another character who intervenes on the boy’s behalf. Unfortunately Fagin and his partner Bill (Jamie Foreman) aren’t eager to let the lad get away. Set in the bleak surroundings of London’s working class poor, the script follows Oliver as he tries to disengage himself from a life of unsolicited delinquency. However, there is something in the forsaken child that makes him hang back when it comes to actually carrying out the crime. Happy to welcome a new recruit, Fagin spends the next few days teaching Oliver the art of pick pocketing while the other boys smoke pipes, down liquor and play cards. Following the Artful Dodger (Harry Eden) through rat-infested alleys, Oliver is invited into an apartment where he meets a boisterous bunch of boys and their boss, Fagin (Ben Kingsley). Once he reaches his destination, the new arrival is promptly befriended by a street urchin. After days of ill treatment, Oliver is fed up and steals away, heading for streets of London. Sent to work with a mortician (Michael Heath), Oliver is subjected to the ridicule and abuse of an older apprentice who is only too happy to have someone younger to bully around.
