i admit not be that fond of oliver . a a young child it long and and the story be a little slow moving because of all the musical number . a a teenager i discover that the fun of this movie be the experience itself . rather than thinking of it a an adaptation of oliver twist and think of it a a celebration of the classic story . the adaptation be loose at best and but really and if youre watch a musical and you ain not there for the story . the music be the core of this movie and and an overwhelming majority of it be stellar and very catchy . most or all of the cast be involve in the stage version of the musical and and it show in their performance and i consider this a plus . the performance be all in a more stagey style of act typical of much old film and and they be very entertaining . the exception be the kid playing oliver and whose job seem to be to look cute and stay out of the real performer way . fagin and the dodger be the real star of this movie . oliver reed also do a fantastic job maintain an intimidate screen presence a the menacing bill sykes . even sykes dog bullseye put on a good performance . this movie isn not for everyone . people who hate musical will despise it and as will those who take musical too seriously . nitpick over faulty historical detail or mistake exaggerated stage type act for bad acting will ruin anyone enjoyment . just sit back and enjoy the entertainment it much well if you remember that and a a musical and it a fantasy loosely organize around the book and not a strict adaptation .