Movie spotlight
When 9-year-old orphan Oliver Twist dares to ask his cruel taskmaster, Mr. Bumble, for a second serving of gruel, he's hired out as an apprentice. Escaping that dismal fate, young Oliver falls in with the street urchin known as the Artful Dodger and his criminal mentor, Fagin. When kindly Mr. Brownlow takes Oliver in, Fagin's evil henchman Bill Sikes plots to kidnap the boy.
A young orphan, Oliver Twist, endures a harsh life in a workhouse and then falls into the clutches of a London criminal gang. He escapes his grim fate and finds a chance at a better life with the help of some kind strangers. The film follows his journey through poverty, crime, and ultimately, redemption.
This silent film adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic novel was a significant cinematic achievement for its time, particularly noted for its compelling performances and faithful, albeit condensed, storytelling. Jackie Coogan's portrayal of Oliver was widely praised, cementing his status as a major child star. While specific contemporary critical reviews are scarce, the film was a popular and respected release.
Jackie Coogan delivers a memorable and sympathetic performance as the titular orphan.
The film successfully captures the grim realities of Victorian-era poverty and crime.
A notable early adaptation of a beloved literary work.
Google audience: As this film is from 1922, there is no readily available data from Google users.
This 1922 silent film version of Oliver Twist stars Jackie Coogan, who would later go on to play Uncle Fester in "The Addams Family" (1964-1966) television series and have a long career in Hollywood.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources
Jackie Coogan was barely eight ears old when he turned his hand to one of Charles Dickens' more engaging characters. Born in the workhouse and quickly orphaned, he spends much of his young life picking oakum whilst constantly hungry. Scared...