Watch Oliver Twist

In 1922, the film adaptation of the classic Charles Dickens novel, Oliver Twist, hit the silver screen. Directed by Frank Lloyd, this silent film stars young Jackie Coogan, who rose to fame after his performance in the hit film The Kid, as the titular character, alongside James A. Marcus as the menacing Fagin and Aggie Herring as the compassionate Nancy.

The film opens with a shot of a decrepit workhouse in rural England, where young Oliver Twist is born and raised. After being sold to a mortician, Oliver escapes and sets off for London, where he falls in with a group of pickpockets led by the devious Fagin. Oliver's innocence and kindness begin to rub off on the hardened criminals around him, particularly Nancy, who takes a liking to the boy and starts to look out for him.

However, their criminal schemes are threatened by the arrival of the wealthy Mr. Brownlow, who takes an interest in Oliver and wants to take him away from the streets. Fagin and his cohorts devise a plan to kidnap Oliver and bring him back to their den, but Nancy has a change of heart and attempts to save the boy. This leads to a dramatic confrontation between the criminal underworld and the forces of law and order.

Jackie Coogan delivers a heart-warming performance as the innocent and plucky Oliver, with his cherubic face and expressive eyes. The audience becomes fully invested in his journey as he navigates the dangerous and cruel streets of London. James A. Marcus is suitably menacing as Fagin, with his exaggerated facial expressions and unscrupulous motives. Aggie Herring shines as the conflicted Nancy, torn between her loyalty to Fagin and her growing affection for Oliver.

The film is visually stunning, with Lloyd's direction utilizing the medium of silent film to great effect. The images are suffused with light and shadow, creating a stark contrast between the darkness of the criminal underworld and the brightness of the world outside. The film's climactic scene, set against the backdrop of a raging storm, is particularly striking and cinematic.

Overall, Oliver Twist is a haunting and immersive film that brings to life the world of Dickens' novel in vivid detail. Coogan, Marcus, and Herring all deliver strong performances, and the film's visuals are breathtaking. This adaptation remains a classic of silent cinema, and a testament to the enduring power of Dickens' timeless tale.

Oliver Twist is a 1922 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 14 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.