Reviews (84)

Consider it a wonderful experience
The movie musical was on its way out by the time 'Oliver!' hit theaters in 1968. Happily, this marvelously fun and entertaining film swept the Oscars and earns my vote for the best musical of the 60s (although 'The Music Man' ranks a close second). Mark Lester is adorable in the title role and Jack Wild is a kick as the mischievious Artful Dodger. Then there's Ron Moody recreating his stage role as the villainous (but still likable) Fagin. He's not exactly the same character created by Charles Dickens but he's memorable just the same. And Shani Wallis' Nancy along with Oliver Reed's Bill Sikes give the film some real dramatic punch. The production design strikingly recreates the feel and flavor of mid-19th century London. And the songs which include 'Consider Yourself' and 'Oom Pah Pah' are the icing on the cake. Do your family a great favor and add this timeless treat to your DVD collection.

I'm reviewing. . . .the situation.
I bought this movie because I had some vague, but pleasant memories of it from my childhood. I must say that the movie did not disappoint. It is a well-crafted musical with vivid characters. While they're not exactly analogous to their Dickensian counterparts, who portray a much darker, seamier side of London's underworld, the characters sparkle. Ron Moody as Fagin is unforgettable, and Wild as the Dodger was a perfect casting job. The musical numbers are memorable, hum-inducing performances, such as "Consider Yourself" "Oom Pa Pa" "You got to Pick a Pocket or Two" and "Who Will Buy". My personal favorite is "Reviewing the Situation" because I feel the lyrics to that song are so well done and so well executed by Moody. The adorable Mark Lester is the weak link in an otherwise strong chain. He plays a passable Oliver, but lacks the oomph that the others bring to their roles, and his voice is somewhat airy but sweet (according to other reviewers, too sweet). Nevertheless, he fulfills his end of the bargin, portraying a rosy cheeked cherub in the presence of villains. Oliver Reed plays Sykes to perfection, exuding such dark evil that his sinister shadow precedes him onto the screen. I handled his killing of Nancy better as a grown-up; however, young children may find that scene as distrubing as I did twenty years ago. Overall, this is a finely done musical, and for me, was time well spent.

I think I'd better think it out again.

CONSIDER THIS ONE A WINNER - OSCAR WINNER, THAT IS!
Carol Reed's "Oliver!" is the musical version of Dicken's Oliver Twist. It stars Mark Lester as the irrepressible street urchin, suckered into the lair of a vagabond by The Artful Dodger (Jack Wild) and forced into a life of crime by Fagin (Ron Moody). But when Oliver is salvaged from the slums by a benevolent philanthropist, Bill Sikes (Oliver Reed) decides to make a quick buck off of the trade. Shani Willis costars as Sikes' girlfriend, Nancy, who thwarts the kidnapping plot and pays for her betrayal with her life. This is a very stoic, stagy and rather dry musical that may capture the essence of Dickens in its settings characters and plot but seems totally out of touch with the effervescence of the traditional Hollywood musical. Even with such main staple songs as "Consider Yourself", "Boy For Sale" and "Food, Glorious Food", truly, the spoon full of sugar remains a bitter pill to swallow on this occasion.

Columbia Tri-Star has made "Oliver" available in a startlingly good looking transfer. Colors are solid, rich, vibrant and bold. Contrast levels are exactly where they should be. Blacks are incredibly deep. Fine detail is fully realized. Only occasionally do age related artifacts betray the vintage of the film. The audio is 5.1 and wonderfully spread across all five channels of the sound field. There are no extras. This film is spread across two sides of a single disc. The break comes at the point of intermission.

Moody's Fagin steals classic OLIVER!
Until CHICAGO reenergized the movie musical genre, this musical version of Charles Dickens' immortal "Oliver Twist" was widely regarded as one of the last of the great movie musicals. Indeed, with its high-energy performances, infectious music, steady direction by Sir Carol Reed and glorious sets, this movie won the 1968 Best Picture Oscar over such formidable competition as THE LION IN WINTER, CHARLEY, and FUNNY GIRL.

Of course, most people are familiar with the classic story of young Oliver Twist, whose mother dies giving him birth and is forced to be raised under the cruel supervision of the English workhouse officials. When he dares beg for more than his meager ration of gruel, the youngster is apprenticed to an undertaker and his extremely nasty family. After escaping this hostile environment, he finds himself taken in by the roguish Fagin, the Artful Dodger(Fagin's best pupil), and the rest of his band of young pickpockets. In time, however, Oliver will find his home, but not before dealing with the likes of the brutal Bill Sikes with the help of Sike's sympathetic lover, Nancy, and the kindly Mr. Brownlow.

As musical films go, it is hard to fault the wonderful casting in this film. Mark Lester makes a perfectly, if maybe overly, innocent Oliver, while Jack Wild is a delight as the rascally Artful Dodger. Shanie Wallis is heart-rending as the tragic Nancy. Oliver Reed (Sir Carol's nephew) is truly scary as the menacing Bill Sikes. Harry Secombe displays a glorious tenor in the comic role of Mr. Bumble, the beadle of the workhouse. However, it is Ron Moody's fantastic performance of the rascally Fagin that steals this movie. It is not surprising, when you consider that he created the role when the musical was first produced in London. Of course, the character itself has gone quite a change from Dickens' original, going from the debatably nasty anti-Semitic portrait of the novel to that of a lovable, if sneaky, eccentric. Indeed, Moody's excellent portrayal would set the tone for almost all future performances of the role to date, including those of such actors as George C. Scott and Richard Dreyfus, among others.

Some Dickens fans may quibble about the liberties taken with the book, from the softening of Fagin to the elimination of Oliver's evil step-brother Monks from the storyline. And it isn't a perfect film by any means. (The child singer who dubbed Mark Lester's songs sounds like she's in an echo chamber of some sort, which makes Oliver's singing a jarring contrast to the rest of the cast.) But, as a musical film, it is a wonderful entertainment and superb introduction to the classic story. As a result, this is one musical that I would DEFINITELY recommend.

Excellent
If only movies were made like this today. This film is filled with witty comedy, wonderful music, and great acting. One of the best musicals out there!! This film displays a boy's life going from the lowest of low (an orphanage) and slowely rising to a better life. The only thing is, it makes stealing look a little. .. well . . fun! But i'm sure we can all live with that right? ... Read more

Reviews (84)

Consider it a wonderful experience
The movie musical was on its way out by the time 'Oliver!' hit theaters in 1968. Happily, this marvelously fun and entertaining film swept the Oscars and earns my vote for the best musical of the 60s (although 'The Music Man' ranks a close second). Mark Lester is adorable in the title role and Jack Wild is a kick as the mischievious Artful Dodger. Then there's Ron Moody recreating his stage role as the villainous (but still likable) Fagin. He's not exactly the same character created by Charles Dickens but he's memorable just the same. And Shani Wallis' Nancy along with Oliver Reed's Bill Sikes give the film some real dramatic punch. The production design strikingly recreates the feel and flavor of mid-19th century London. And the songs which include 'Consider Yourself' and 'Oom Pah Pah' are the icing on the cake. Do your family a great favor and add this timeless treat to your DVD collection.

I'm reviewing. . . .the situation.
I bought this movie because I had some vague, but pleasant memories of it from my childhood. I must say that the movie did not disappoint. It is a well-crafted musical with vivid characters. While they're not exactly analogous to their Dickensian counterparts, who portray a much darker, seamier side of London's underworld, the characters sparkle. Ron Moody as Fagin is unforgettable, and Wild as the Dodger was a perfect casting job. The musical numbers are memorable, hum-inducing performances, such as "Consider Yourself" "Oom Pa Pa" "You got to Pick a Pocket or Two" and "Who Will Buy". My personal favorite is "Reviewing the Situation" because I feel the lyrics to that song are so well done and so well executed by Moody. The adorable Mark Lester is the weak link in an otherwise strong chain. He plays a passable Oliver, but lacks the oomph that the others bring to their roles, and his voice is somewhat airy but sweet (according to other reviewers, too sweet). Nevertheless, he fulfills his end of the bargin, portraying a rosy cheeked cherub in the presence of villains. Oliver Reed plays Sykes to perfection, exuding such dark evil that his sinister shadow precedes him onto the screen. I handled his killing of Nancy better as a grown-up; however, young children may find that scene as distrubing as I did twenty years ago. Overall, this is a finely done musical, and for me, was time well spent.

I think I'd better think it out again.

CONSIDER THIS ONE A WINNER - OSCAR WINNER, THAT IS!
Carol Reed's "Oliver!" is the musical version of Dicken's Oliver Twist. It stars Mark Lester as the irrepressible street urchin, suckered into the lair of a vagabond by The Artful Dodger (Jack Wild) and forced into a life of crime by Fagin (Ron Moody). But when Oliver is salvaged from the slums by a benevolent philanthropist, Bill Sikes (Oliver Reed) decides to make a quick buck off of the trade. Shani Willis costars as Sikes' girlfriend, Nancy, who thwarts the kidnapping plot and pays for her betrayal with her life. This is a very stoic, stagy and rather dry musical that may capture the essence of Dickens in its settings characters and plot but seems totally out of touch with the effervescence of the traditional Hollywood musical. Even with such main staple songs as "Consider Yourself", "Boy For Sale" and "Food, Glorious Food", truly, the spoon full of sugar remains a bitter pill to swallow on this occasion.

Columbia Tri-Star has made "Oliver" available in a startlingly good looking transfer. Colors are solid, rich, vibrant and bold. Contrast levels are exactly where they should be. Blacks are incredibly deep. Fine detail is fully realized. Only occasionally do age related artifacts betray the vintage of the film. The audio is 5.1 and wonderfully spread across all five channels of the sound field. There are no extras. This film is spread across two sides of a single disc. The break comes at the point of intermission.

Moody's Fagin steals classic OLIVER!
Until CHICAGO reenergized the movie musical genre, this musical version of Charles Dickens' immortal "Oliver Twist" was widely regarded as one of the last of the great movie musicals. Indeed, with its high-energy performances, infectious music, steady direction by Sir Carol Reed and glorious sets, this movie won the 1968 Best Picture Oscar over such formidable competition as THE LION IN WINTER, CHARLEY, and FUNNY GIRL.

Of course, most people are familiar with the classic story of young Oliver Twist, whose mother dies giving him birth and is forced to be raised under the cruel supervision of the English workhouse officials. When he dares beg for more than his meager ration of gruel, the youngster is apprenticed to an undertaker and his extremely nasty family. After escaping this hostile environment, he finds himself taken in by the roguish Fagin, the Artful Dodger(Fagin's best pupil), and the rest of his band of young pickpockets. In time, however, Oliver will find his home, but not before dealing with the likes of the brutal Bill Sikes with the help of Sike's sympathetic lover, Nancy, and the kindly Mr. Brownlow.

As musical films go, it is hard to fault the wonderful casting in this film. Mark Lester makes a perfectly, if maybe overly, innocent Oliver, while Jack Wild is a delight as the rascally Artful Dodger. Shanie Wallis is heart-rending as the tragic Nancy. Oliver Reed (Sir Carol's nephew) is truly scary as the menacing Bill Sikes. Harry Secombe displays a glorious tenor in the comic role of Mr. Bumble, the beadle of the workhouse. However, it is Ron Moody's fantastic performance of the rascally Fagin that steals this movie. It is not surprising, when you consider that he created the role when the musical was first produced in London. Of course, the character itself has gone quite a change from Dickens' original, going from the debatably nasty anti-Semitic portrait of the novel to that of a lovable, if sneaky, eccentric. Indeed, Moody's excellent portrayal would set the tone for almost all future performances of the role to date, including those of such actors as George C. Scott and Richard Dreyfus, among others.

Some Dickens fans may quibble about the liberties taken with the book, from the softening of Fagin to the elimination of Oliver's evil step-brother Monks from the storyline. And it isn't a perfect film by any means. (The child singer who dubbed Mark Lester's songs sounds like she's in an echo chamber of some sort, which makes Oliver's singing a jarring contrast to the rest of the cast.) But, as a musical film, it is a wonderful entertainment and superb introduction to the classic story. As a result, this is one musical that I would DEFINITELY recommend.

Excellent
If only movies were made like this today. This film is filled with witty comedy, wonderful music, and great acting. One of the best musicals out there!! This film displays a boy's life going from the lowest of low (an orphanage) and slowely rising to a better life. The only thing is, it makes stealing look a little. .. well . . fun! But i'm sure we can all live with that right? ... Read more

Reviews (47)

A Real Disney Winner for the Whole Family!
What a clever, fun little movie this is! I enjoy it just as much as my 3-year-old son, and we love to watch it together, over and over. My favorite aspects are that it's an interesting story (a classic "mystery") with intelligent characters & clever dialog. There are no gratuitous sidekick characters, no meaningless song & dance numbers.... everything fits together perfectly in this movie. I initially wondered if my son would lose interest in the wordy, British-accented main character Basil, but nothing about the movie was over his head. Even the villians (including a delightfully mean rat, voiced by Vincent Price) didn't overwhelm him. Overall, "The Great Mouse Detective" is thoroughly enjoyable for everyone!

I've finally bought it on DVD!
That's right all you fans of Disney and of this movie, the long awaited DVD of this movie has finally arrived and ready for you to own it.

This 1986 Cult Disney Classic is about a Detective Mouse named " Basil" with new assistant " Dawson" who must find out what clever scheme that his foe " Ratigan" ( voice of Vincient Price) is up to and must reveal the secret of what he is planning to do with London.

a Brilliant and unique animated feature full of incredible animation and it first uses early CGI for some scenes, this is a movie worth owning for Disney and Animation lovers cause on Repeated viewings it never bores you.

The DVD is fantastic, it's got good features like two Cartoons, Behind the Scenes footage, Scrapbook, and the Picture is absolutely perfect without no single Dirt or Grain to appear and the Sound is phenomenal, this is a must own Disney DVD.

Why rated G
This is one of my favorite disney movies,i think that the song 'Goodbye so Soon'could be used in younger classes at the end of the day when its time for the kids to go home,however i don't think that this movie should be rated G,there is a scene in the movie showing mice smokeing and drinking it should of been rated PG.

Smart, Fun, and just plain excellent!
My first memory of this movie was when my Dad rented it from the video store for us kids. I don't remember my mother watching it with us, but I do know as a child it fascinated me, and my Dad actually got into it, too. My sister and I were looking to expand our DVD collection of good movies without all the garbage that most "adult" movies have. We thought of this one and found it at Wal-Mart. After watching it again, I can say it was just as thrilling! The voice talent, Vincent Price included (since I am a big Batman fan and enjoyed his rendition of egghead), carried well through the movie without sounding the least bit fakey. The take on a mouse detective named Basil of Baker Street living inside the home of the real Sherlock Holmes is one of the smartest movie ideas ever. The plot never slows. The movie progresses at a good clip and keeps you interested. The humor and climax are totally original. Nothing completely predictable and nothing borrowed here. Adults will love this just as much as kids. It's one of those movies that's simply good all the way through.

KITKA

One of the better Disney films of the 1980s.
Full of adventure and mystery, in this film, Disney takes a slightly more sophisticated turn and the outcome is really enjoyable. The film has really nice animation especially the scene atop Big Ben. The voice talent is great, especially the dastardly Vincent Price. The villain is good, and very malicious and powerful. The DVD is really good as well. The movie is in a new letterbox treatment- very nice. I highly reccomend this film for anyone who loves the Disney film genre. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Rounding It Out
Within the first 40-60 minutes of "Round Numbers" poor Judith (Kate Mulgrew) checks herself into a trendy weight spa to seek revenge on the tart she believes is having an affair with her husband. With such ridiculous lines as (paraphrased) "Binky is so important; she has spas in third world countries...China and stuff." This movie sounds like a perfect comedy to make fun of spas and the obsessiveness women have with weight, but somewhere along the line the humor takes a downfall, spiralling out of control into a serious drama about breast cancer. This quickly dampens the laughter. Then to continue with the downward spiral, poor Judith actually becomes civil to "the other woman", who turns out to be less attractive than Judith. What saves this comedy-drama is the talent of these misfit actresses. A perfect movie for an older female demographic.

Great Movie for Kate Mulgrew Fans
This movie is hilarious and Kate Mulgrew as well as the other actresses are great in it as well. It depicts health spas in a hilarious manner. I laughed all through this and I believe that this movie is a must see for all Kate Mulgrew fans.

Great satire of fat farms
This movie is all script and no budget. Most of the cast are women character actors and they put in a lot of character into this spoof of weight-loss spas the thin-fixated lifestyle. Some swearing, no nudity, implied sex and lots of fun. ... Read more

Reviews (47)

A Real Disney Winner for the Whole Family!
What a clever, fun little movie this is! I enjoy it just as much as my 3-year-old son, and we love to watch it together, over and over. My favorite aspects are that it's an interesting story (a classic "mystery") with intelligent characters & clever dialog. There are no gratuitous sidekick characters, no meaningless song & dance numbers.... everything fits together perfectly in this movie. I initially wondered if my son would lose interest in the wordy, British-accented main character Basil, but nothing about the movie was over his head. Even the villians (including a delightfully mean rat, voiced by Vincent Price) didn't overwhelm him. Overall, "The Great Mouse Detective" is thoroughly enjoyable for everyone!

I've finally bought it on DVD!
That's right all you fans of Disney and of this movie, the long awaited DVD of this movie has finally arrived and ready for you to own it.

This 1986 Cult Disney Classic is about a Detective Mouse named " Basil" with new assistant " Dawson" who must find out what clever scheme that his foe " Ratigan" ( voice of Vincient Price) is up to and must reveal the secret of what he is planning to do with London.

a Brilliant and unique animated feature full of incredible animation and it first uses early CGI for some scenes, this is a movie worth owning for Disney and Animation lovers cause on Repeated viewings it never bores you.

The DVD is fantastic, it's got good features like two Cartoons, Behind the Scenes footage, Scrapbook, and the Picture is absolutely perfect without no single Dirt or Grain to appear and the Sound is phenomenal, this is a must own Disney DVD.

Why rated G
This is one of my favorite disney movies,i think that the song 'Goodbye so Soon'could be used in younger classes at the end of the day when its time for the kids to go home,however i don't think that this movie should be rated G,there is a scene in the movie showing mice smokeing and drinking it should of been rated PG.

Smart, Fun, and just plain excellent!
My first memory of this movie was when my Dad rented it from the video store for us kids. I don't remember my mother watching it with us, but I do know as a child it fascinated me, and my Dad actually got into it, too. My sister and I were looking to expand our DVD collection of good movies without all the garbage that most "adult" movies have. We thought of this one and found it at Wal-Mart. After watching it again, I can say it was just as thrilling! The voice talent, Vincent Price included (since I am a big Batman fan and enjoyed his rendition of egghead), carried well through the movie without sounding the least bit fakey. The take on a mouse detective named Basil of Baker Street living inside the home of the real Sherlock Holmes is one of the smartest movie ideas ever. The plot never slows. The movie progresses at a good clip and keeps you interested. The humor and climax are totally original. Nothing completely predictable and nothing borrowed here. Adults will love this just as much as kids. It's one of those movies that's simply good all the way through.

KITKA

One of the better Disney films of the 1980s.
Full of adventure and mystery, in this film, Disney takes a slightly more sophisticated turn and the outcome is really enjoyable. The film has really nice animation especially the scene atop Big Ben. The voice talent is great, especially the dastardly Vincent Price. The villain is good, and very malicious and powerful. The DVD is really good as well. The movie is in a new letterbox treatment- very nice. I highly reccomend this film for anyone who loves the Disney film genre. ... Read more

Amazon.com

As a brief promo by a Sea World Animal Ambassador tells us before the movie begins, male penguins really do present pebbles to the females during a courtship that will result in a lifetime match. This post-Thumbelina Don Bluth/Barry Manilow effort gives us Hubie, a nerdy penguin whose love for the beautiful Marina, remarkably, is returned. Alas, before he can present her with a fine stone, his evil--and strangely buff--rival throws him into the swirling sea. Epic adventures and a comical sidekick result. Leopard seals and killer whales threaten, but kids will be entertained rather than frightened by this harmless, if less-than-brilliant movie. --Kimberly Heinrichs ... Read more

Reviews (20)

A GREAT MOVIE!!
The Full Moon Mating Ceremony, a real-life penguin tradition, requires that bachelor birds present pebbles to their sweethearts. And in this film, a shy bird named Hubie has the perfect stone for his love, Marina. But there's considerable competition for Marina's affections, and in an exciting race against time, sea, storm and a host of other obstacles, Hubie learns that it's not the perfect pebble - but rather the perfect penguin - that always gets the girl.

A good movie
I remember this movie scaried the crap out of me. I recomend This for 9 and older. There are some parts that will be to scare for kids to handle. It about this penguin mande Hubby who is try to appress Morgania a beautiful female penguin.

He is thrown from anartic by drake and evil penguin. Who is ver musucular looks like he was gentical combined with arnold Swarsenager.

He teams up with rocko a rock hopper on aquest to return to anartica.

Far from an animated classic
I really don't know what other people see in this movie. I must some how be seeing another "Pebble and the Penguin" because whenever I come across this movie I find myself disgusted with every aspect of it.

The animation is far from great, even for the time this film was released. By theatrical standards, the quality is comparable to the most mediocre of Saturday morning cartoons. This is especially true with the opening shot with the ice falling from glaciers and disappearing in thin air.

The main character, even for an underdog, is REALLY unlikeable. I had a hard time at first figuring out whether they were a guy or a girl! Finding out it was voiced by Martin Short didn't help either. The only way I can figure this answer is the fact the character is attracted to girls, but that doesn't say much.

Plus, the villain is laughable. You might say that's OK for a kid's movie, but you can't expect me to care for the hero when his opponent doesn't seem too threatening. The guy has two huge pecs that suggest he defeats his oppoents by crushing their head in the middle of his chest. He has a very thin lower body though, suggesting weak legs under a heavy top. You have to wonder why Hubie didn't kick him in the ankle 5 minutes in.

Finally, this movie has the most awful songs in the history of corny cartoon soundtracks. They were most likely written by Elton John...'s brother...'s cousin...'s friend. The only decent one was the "Good Ship Misery" but THAT'S stretching it. Even after ten seconds that song stops being catchy.

Avoid this movie. And no, don't even show it to your kids. It will teach them bad things about animation, like adding vomit-inducing songs is OK.

Superb!
This, along with "Thumbelina," "All Dogs go to Heaven," and "Rock a Doodle," are among the best Don Bluth films ever made. Why are they so disliked?! In my family, we have watched these movies repeatedly for years and laughed, cried, etc. They are so much fun! The music in this movie is WONDERFUL and the voice acting, particularly Martin Short's Hubie, is great. A cute movie and a cute story.

Other notes: Penguins have eyelashes, deal with it. Drake is an abnormally muscular and busty Adele penguin. Marina's flower is magic. Or plastic.

True love
I was feeling pretty low in High School. This film related to my earnest desires to find romance. well I didn't find my true love but I loved this film. I'm a big fan of cartoon romances and sweet love sonnets. Now and Forever is my favorite song. I recommend it over any disney sequel. It has warmed my heart and renewed my faith in true love. It says that anyone can find their true in the most unusual people. Hubie is not the most handsome penguin in the rookery. Marina sees his finer traits even though he's a wimp and a nerd and even a little wacky. But he has a good heart. It made me realize that I don't have to be the prettiest girl to find romance it will find me.note Hubie isn't ugly but his gentle and warm heart made him the better suitor than the manly and suave Drake. Don't give up on romance people. Everybody needs love including nerdy and shy wacks like Hubie! ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A Chaplin Comedy-Drama
I have the honor of owning this film. Chaplin as King Shavow may be serious, but like in all his films, their is a little humor in him. His son Michael's preformace as Rupurt is unforgetable. his speech to the Atomic Commission is closely silmiar to Chaplin's specch in Monsuier Verdoux in 1947. To think it wasn't released until 1975. two years before his death

Great film, and an okish film,
This Part of the Chaplin DVD collection, is worthwile. It has two films. "A Woman of Paris" and "A King in New York". The earliest movie is the reason why you will want this, while the later movie is only ok, its more for die-hard fans of Chaplin(which I admit, I am). So as for my reviews of the two movies.....

"A Woman of Paris", released in 1923, is a film which Chaplin does not appear in. Unless of course you include the cameo appearance, lasting maybe 2 seconds. A lot of people dislike this movie, because when they see a Chaplin movie, they want to actually SEE him. Either way, it does not bother me. I think Chaplin was the greatest of all film makers, and I dont really care whether you see him, or you dont. I enjoy his work as simply a director. This is a truly underrated masterpiece (yes, masterpiece), which has some fine acting. The two stars are Edna Purviance and Adolphe Menjou. The film was ideally supposed to launch Edna Purviance's career as a serious actress, but it didnt do much for her, since nobody really went to see this movie upon its release. Although I believe the critics loved it. Its actually somewhat of a favourite among Chaplin's films, and he was just so brilliant behind the camera. At whatever he did, he was great. If you only want to see Chaplin films with him in, then this one is not for you. This one for me would get 5 stars.

Now for "A King in New York" from 1957. I do not rate this film highly. Its one that some will enjoy, and some wont enjoy. I did enjoy it, but after seeing Chaplins other work, you cant help but notice how much more poor this is compared to others. A really bad idea would be to watch "City Light's" and then right after, watch this. You will REALLY see the difference in his work through the years. I dont particularly think much to some of Chaplins talking pictures, although I loved "Monsieur Verdoux". As for this film itself, I guess the highlights come from Chaplins son, Michael. Hes maybe the funniest thing in this movie. His fast talking, cleverness about things that should only really be concerning adults is the thing that makes the comedy in this one. Chaplin IS funny in this one also, but his silent film days are completely lost here. I guess in some ways, this is a film Chaplin fans should see, and if you are completists (like moi) then you will want to own. Only 3 stars for this one.

The DVDs are decent. Like the others in the Chaplin Collection, these include the usual featurettes, and what ever else you get on them. "A Woman of Paris" has a decent little extra, a film called "Camille" which Chaplin is in, along with a load of other top named people, like Ethel Barrymore, Paul Robeson etc. This is not a masterpiece film, its just an interesting extra to the DVD. The prints on both "A Woman of Paris" and "A King in New Yourk" and great, and this is a good way to see them.

Uneven, but still a fine satire from Chaplin
"A King in New York" is a flawed film, but reflects the insanity of the 1950's Communist witch-hunts.

It's an odd film, though. It's a parody of 1950's America MADE in the 1950's. A lot of the gags (especially the CinemaScope parody) are great, though.

I think the main problem with the film has to do with it being a little bit long-winded in parts and too much plot fortification. Most of Chaplin's films only needed a tiny bit of a plot to be great. Overall, watch with an open mind and enjoy the very accurate parodies on the 50's.

Chaplin Fans -- Stay Away
This is a sad excuse for a comedy from a once-great filmmaker. Fans of Charlie Chaplin can only be saddened and depressed by this lugubrious waste of time. Chaplin vents his spleen at the U.S. (justifiably so), but his satire is ineffective and the slapstick just doesn't work.

There is a second film on this DVD, but "A Woman of Paris," while a wonderful film, is not a Chaplin comedy (he only makes a brief cameo appearance and if you don't know it's him you'll miss him completely), and needs to be seen on a big screen to do it justice. So I can't honestly recommend this DVD for most people. This is only for rabid Chaplin completists who must have everything he ever made. For the rest of us, go out and buy "City Lights" or "Modern Times" instead, and see Chaplin at his best and in his prime.

Chaplin was way ahead of his time in film and America
What I find amazing is that even in the year 2001 people are so brain-washed by our corporate media that they can complain about Chaplin's bashing the McArthy era. This embarassing chapter in America's history (up there with slavery, the "Jim Crow" south, and Japanese internment camps of WW2) was responsible for thousands of Hollywood job losses, the imprisonment of the great writer Ring Lardner, the expatriation of Chaplin, Paul Robeson, et al.

And all of this for a ridiculous "witch hunt" by some sanctimonious & hypocritical power-hungry politicians; with trumped up hearings gathered together faster than you can say "Monica." Well eventually it ended up backfiring on the anti-commie crowd of course, although I guess sure helped Ronald Reagan to be president of the Screen Actors Guild, then CA, and the White House weren't far behind (easy when you sell out enough I guess).

But gee, since Chaplin was up against these zealots (who are the real "anti-American" ones if people actually knew their history), I suppose we should be able to forgive Chaplin for not being so subtle in "A King in New York!" ... Read more

Reviews (20)

A GREAT MOVIE!!
The Full Moon Mating Ceremony, a real-life penguin tradition, requires that bachelor birds present pebbles to their sweethearts. And in this film, a shy bird named Hubie has the perfect stone for his love, Marina. But there's considerable competition for Marina's affections, and in an exciting race against time, sea, storm and a host of other obstacles, Hubie learns that it's not the perfect pebble - but rather the perfect penguin - that always gets the girl.

A good movie
I remember this movie scaried the crap out of me. I recomend This for 9 and older. There are some parts that will be to scare for kids to handle. It about this penguin mande Hubby who is try to appress Morgania a beautiful female penguin.

He is thrown from anartic by drake and evil penguin. Who is ver musucular looks like he was gentical combined with arnold Swarsenager.

He teams up with rocko a rock hopper on aquest to return to anartica.

Far from an animated classic
I really don't know what other people see in this movie. I must some how be seeing another "Pebble and the Penguin" because whenever I come across this movie I find myself disgusted with every aspect of it.

The animation is far from great, even for the time this film was released. By theatrical standards, the quality is comparable to the most mediocre of Saturday morning cartoons. This is especially true with the opening shot with the ice falling from glaciers and disappearing in thin air.

The main character, even for an underdog, is REALLY unlikeable. I had a hard time at first figuring out whether they were a guy or a girl! Finding out it was voiced by Martin Short didn't help either. The only way I can figure this answer is the fact the character is attracted to girls, but that doesn't say much.

Plus, the villain is laughable. You might say that's OK for a kid's movie, but you can't expect me to care for the hero when his opponent doesn't seem too threatening. The guy has two huge pecs that suggest he defeats his oppoents by crushing their head in the middle of his chest. He has a very thin lower body though, suggesting weak legs under a heavy top. You have to wonder why Hubie didn't kick him in the ankle 5 minutes in.

Finally, this movie has the most awful songs in the history of corny cartoon soundtracks. They were most likely written by Elton John...'s brother...'s cousin...'s friend. The only decent one was the "Good Ship Misery" but THAT'S stretching it. Even after ten seconds that song stops being catchy.

Avoid this movie. And no, don't even show it to your kids. It will teach them bad things about animation, like adding vomit-inducing songs is OK.

Superb!
This, along with "Thumbelina," "All Dogs go to Heaven," and "Rock a Doodle," are among the best Don Bluth films ever made. Why are they so disliked?! In my family, we have watched these movies repeatedly for years and laughed, cried, etc. They are so much fun! The music in this movie is WONDERFUL and the voice acting, particularly Martin Short's Hubie, is great. A cute movie and a cute story.

Other notes: Penguins have eyelashes, deal with it. Drake is an abnormally muscular and busty Adele penguin. Marina's flower is magic. Or plastic.

True love
I was feeling pretty low in High School. This film related to my earnest desires to find romance. well I didn't find my true love but I loved this film. I'm a big fan of cartoon romances and sweet love sonnets. Now and Forever is my favorite song. I recommend it over any disney sequel. It has warmed my heart and renewed my faith in true love. It says that anyone can find their true in the most unusual people. Hubie is not the most handsome penguin in the rookery. Marina sees his finer traits even though he's a wimp and a nerd and even a little wacky. But he has a good heart. It made me realize that I don't have to be the prettiest girl to find romance it will find me.note Hubie isn't ugly but his gentle and warm heart made him the better suitor than the manly and suave Drake. Don't give up on romance people. Everybody needs love including nerdy and shy wacks like Hubie! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

I NEVER RECEIVED THE VIDEO
I've waited for quite a while now. Never received the video! ... Read more

Reviews (20)

A GREAT MOVIE!!
The Full Moon Mating Ceremony, a real-life penguin tradition, requires that bachelor birds present pebbles to their sweethearts. And in this film, a shy bird named Hubie has the perfect stone for his love, Marina. But there's considerable competition for Marina's affections, and in an exciting race against time, sea, storm and a host of other obstacles, Hubie learns that it's not the perfect pebble - but rather the perfect penguin - that always gets the girl.

A good movie
I remember this movie scaried the crap out of me. I recomend This for 9 and older. There are some parts that will be to scare for kids to handle. It about this penguin mande Hubby who is try to appress Morgania a beautiful female penguin.

He is thrown from anartic by drake and evil penguin. Who is ver musucular looks like he was gentical combined with arnold Swarsenager.

He teams up with rocko a rock hopper on aquest to return to anartica.

Far from an animated classic
I really don't know what other people see in this movie. I must some how be seeing another "Pebble and the Penguin" because whenever I come across this movie I find myself disgusted with every aspect of it.

The animation is far from great, even for the time this film was released. By theatrical standards, the quality is comparable to the most mediocre of Saturday morning cartoons. This is especially true with the opening shot with the ice falling from glaciers and disappearing in thin air.

The main character, even for an underdog, is REALLY unlikeable. I had a hard time at first figuring out whether they were a guy or a girl! Finding out it was voiced by Martin Short didn't help either. The only way I can figure this answer is the fact the character is attracted to girls, but that doesn't say much.

Plus, the villain is laughable. You might say that's OK for a kid's movie, but you can't expect me to care for the hero when his opponent doesn't seem too threatening. The guy has two huge pecs that suggest he defeats his oppoents by crushing their head in the middle of his chest. He has a very thin lower body though, suggesting weak legs under a heavy top. You have to wonder why Hubie didn't kick him in the ankle 5 minutes in.

Finally, this movie has the most awful songs in the history of corny cartoon soundtracks. They were most likely written by Elton John...'s brother...'s cousin...'s friend. The only decent one was the "Good Ship Misery" but THAT'S stretching it. Even after ten seconds that song stops being catchy.

Avoid this movie. And no, don't even show it to your kids. It will teach them bad things about animation, like adding vomit-inducing songs is OK.

Superb!
This, along with "Thumbelina," "All Dogs go to Heaven," and "Rock a Doodle," are among the best Don Bluth films ever made. Why are they so disliked?! In my family, we have watched these movies repeatedly for years and laughed, cried, etc. They are so much fun! The music in this movie is WONDERFUL and the voice acting, particularly Martin Short's Hubie, is great. A cute movie and a cute story.

Other notes: Penguins have eyelashes, deal with it. Drake is an abnormally muscular and busty Adele penguin. Marina's flower is magic. Or plastic.

True love
I was feeling pretty low in High School. This film related to my earnest desires to find romance. well I didn't find my true love but I loved this film. I'm a big fan of cartoon romances and sweet love sonnets. Now and Forever is my favorite song. I recommend it over any disney sequel. It has warmed my heart and renewed my faith in true love. It says that anyone can find their true in the most unusual people. Hubie is not the most handsome penguin in the rookery. Marina sees his finer traits even though he's a wimp and a nerd and even a little wacky. But he has a good heart. It made me realize that I don't have to be the prettiest girl to find romance it will find me.note Hubie isn't ugly but his gentle and warm heart made him the better suitor than the manly and suave Drake. Don't give up on romance people. Everybody needs love including nerdy and shy wacks like Hubie! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Rounding It Out
Within the first 40-60 minutes of "Round Numbers" poor Judith (Kate Mulgrew) checks herself into a trendy weight spa to seek revenge on the tart she believes is having an affair with her husband. With such ridiculous lines as (paraphrased) "Binky is so important; she has spas in third world countries...China and stuff." This movie sounds like a perfect comedy to make fun of spas and the obsessiveness women have with weight, but somewhere along the line the humor takes a downfall, spiralling out of control into a serious drama about breast cancer. This quickly dampens the laughter. Then to continue with the downward spiral, poor Judith actually becomes civil to "the other woman", who turns out to be less attractive than Judith. What saves this comedy-drama is the talent of these misfit actresses. A perfect movie for an older female demographic.

Great Movie for Kate Mulgrew Fans
This movie is hilarious and Kate Mulgrew as well as the other actresses are great in it as well. It depicts health spas in a hilarious manner. I laughed all through this and I believe that this movie is a must see for all Kate Mulgrew fans.

Great satire of fat farms
This movie is all script and no budget. Most of the cast are women character actors and they put in a lot of character into this spoof of weight-loss spas the thin-fixated lifestyle. Some swearing, no nudity, implied sex and lots of fun. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

I NEVER RECEIVED THE VIDEO
I've waited for quite a while now. Never received the video! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Rounding It Out
Within the first 40-60 minutes of "Round Numbers" poor Judith (Kate Mulgrew) checks herself into a trendy weight spa to seek revenge on the tart she believes is having an affair with her husband. With such ridiculous lines as (paraphrased) "Binky is so important; she has spas in third world countries...China and stuff." This movie sounds like a perfect comedy to make fun of spas and the obsessiveness women have with weight, but somewhere along the line the humor takes a downfall, spiralling out of control into a serious drama about breast cancer. This quickly dampens the laughter. Then to continue with the downward spiral, poor Judith actually becomes civil to "the other woman", who turns out to be less attractive than Judith. What saves this comedy-drama is the talent of these misfit actresses. A perfect movie for an older female demographic.

Great Movie for Kate Mulgrew Fans
This movie is hilarious and Kate Mulgrew as well as the other actresses are great in it as well. It depicts health spas in a hilarious manner. I laughed all through this and I believe that this movie is a must see for all Kate Mulgrew fans.

Great satire of fat farms
This movie is all script and no budget. Most of the cast are women character actors and they put in a lot of character into this spoof of weight-loss spas the thin-fixated lifestyle. Some swearing, no nudity, implied sex and lots of fun. ... Read more

Reviews (84)

Consider it a wonderful experience
The movie musical was on its way out by the time 'Oliver!' hit theaters in 1968. Happily, this marvelously fun and entertaining film swept the Oscars and earns my vote for the best musical of the 60s (although 'The Music Man' ranks a close second). Mark Lester is adorable in the title role and Jack Wild is a kick as the mischievious Artful Dodger. Then there's Ron Moody recreating his stage role as the villainous (but still likable) Fagin. He's not exactly the same character created by Charles Dickens but he's memorable just the same. And Shani Wallis' Nancy along with Oliver Reed's Bill Sikes give the film some real dramatic punch. The production design strikingly recreates the feel and flavor of mid-19th century London. And the songs which include 'Consider Yourself' and 'Oom Pah Pah' are the icing on the cake. Do your family a great favor and add this timeless treat to your DVD collection.

I'm reviewing. . . .the situation.
I bought this movie because I had some vague, but pleasant memories of it from my childhood. I must say that the movie did not disappoint. It is a well-crafted musical with vivid characters. While they're not exactly analogous to their Dickensian counterparts, who portray a much darker, seamier side of London's underworld, the characters sparkle. Ron Moody as Fagin is unforgettable, and Wild as the Dodger was a perfect casting job. The musical numbers are memorable, hum-inducing performances, such as "Consider Yourself" "Oom Pa Pa" "You got to Pick a Pocket or Two" and "Who Will Buy". My personal favorite is "Reviewing the Situation" because I feel the lyrics to that song are so well done and so well executed by Moody. The adorable Mark Lester is the weak link in an otherwise strong chain. He plays a passable Oliver, but lacks the oomph that the others bring to their roles, and his voice is somewhat airy but sweet (according to other reviewers, too sweet). Nevertheless, he fulfills his end of the bargin, portraying a rosy cheeked cherub in the presence of villains. Oliver Reed plays Sykes to perfection, exuding such dark evil that his sinister shadow precedes him onto the screen. I handled his killing of Nancy better as a grown-up; however, young children may find that scene as distrubing as I did twenty years ago. Overall, this is a finely done musical, and for me, was time well spent.

I think I'd better think it out again.

CONSIDER THIS ONE A WINNER - OSCAR WINNER, THAT IS!
Carol Reed's "Oliver!" is the musical version of Dicken's Oliver Twist. It stars Mark Lester as the irrepressible street urchin, suckered into the lair of a vagabond by The Artful Dodger (Jack Wild) and forced into a life of crime by Fagin (Ron Moody). But when Oliver is salvaged from the slums by a benevolent philanthropist, Bill Sikes (Oliver Reed) decides to make a quick buck off of the trade. Shani Willis costars as Sikes' girlfriend, Nancy, who thwarts the kidnapping plot and pays for her betrayal with her life. This is a very stoic, stagy and rather dry musical that may capture the essence of Dickens in its settings characters and plot but seems totally out of touch with the effervescence of the traditional Hollywood musical. Even with such main staple songs as "Consider Yourself", "Boy For Sale" and "Food, Glorious Food", truly, the spoon full of sugar remains a bitter pill to swallow on this occasion.

Columbia Tri-Star has made "Oliver" available in a startlingly good looking transfer. Colors are solid, rich, vibrant and bold. Contrast levels are exactly where they should be. Blacks are incredibly deep. Fine detail is fully realized. Only occasionally do age related artifacts betray the vintage of the film. The audio is 5.1 and wonderfully spread across all five channels of the sound field. There are no extras. This film is spread across two sides of a single disc. The break comes at the point of intermission.

Moody's Fagin steals classic OLIVER!
Until CHICAGO reenergized the movie musical genre, this musical version of Charles Dickens' immortal "Oliver Twist" was widely regarded as one of the last of the great movie musicals. Indeed, with its high-energy performances, infectious music, steady direction by Sir Carol Reed and glorious sets, this movie won the 1968 Best Picture Oscar over such formidable competition as THE LION IN WINTER, CHARLEY, and FUNNY GIRL.

Of course, most people are familiar with the classic story of young Oliver Twist, whose mother dies giving him birth and is forced to be raised under the cruel supervision of the English workhouse officials. When he dares beg for more than his meager ration of gruel, the youngster is apprenticed to an undertaker and his extremely nasty family. After escaping this hostile environment, he finds himself taken in by the roguish Fagin, the Artful Dodger(Fagin's best pupil), and the rest of his band of young pickpockets. In time, however, Oliver will find his home, but not before dealing with the likes of the brutal Bill Sikes with the help of Sike's sympathetic lover, Nancy, and the kindly Mr. Brownlow.

As musical films go, it is hard to fault the wonderful casting in this film. Mark Lester makes a perfectly, if maybe overly, innocent Oliver, while Jack Wild is a delight as the rascally Artful Dodger. Shanie Wallis is heart-rending as the tragic Nancy. Oliver Reed (Sir Carol's nephew) is truly scary as the menacing Bill Sikes. Harry Secombe displays a glorious tenor in the comic role of Mr. Bumble, the beadle of the workhouse. However, it is Ron Moody's fantastic performance of the rascally Fagin that steals this movie. It is not surprising, when you consider that he created the role when the musical was first produced in London. Of course, the character itself has gone quite a change from Dickens' original, going from the debatably nasty anti-Semitic portrait of the novel to that of a lovable, if sneaky, eccentric. Indeed, Moody's excellent portrayal would set the tone for almost all future performances of the role to date, including those of such actors as George C. Scott and Richard Dreyfus, among others.

Some Dickens fans may quibble about the liberties taken with the book, from the softening of Fagin to the elimination of Oliver's evil step-brother Monks from the storyline. And it isn't a perfect film by any means. (The child singer who dubbed Mark Lester's songs sounds like she's in an echo chamber of some sort, which makes Oliver's singing a jarring contrast to the rest of the cast.) But, as a musical film, it is a wonderful entertainment and superb introduction to the classic story. As a result, this is one musical that I would DEFINITELY recommend.

Excellent
If only movies were made like this today. This film is filled with witty comedy, wonderful music, and great acting. One of the best musicals out there!! This film displays a boy's life going from the lowest of low (an orphanage) and slowely rising to a better life. The only thing is, it makes stealing look a little. .. well . . fun! But i'm sure we can all live with that right? ... Read more