Jackie Coogan stars as Oliver Twist in this silent, Frank Lloyd directed version of the Charles Dickens novel. Coogan is good as Oliver, but the film seems more of a Jackie Coogan film than an adaptation of Dickens. The film successfully recreates Victorian London to a certain extent; however, the adaptation is somewhat loose. The supporting players are good too, but Lon Chaney, although he commands our attention every time he's on screen as Fagin, has little to do in the film. The version with the restored music is the one to see, as it adds immeasurably to the film. Still an entertaining, episodic film, typical of silent era adaptations of stories and novels. **1/2 of 4 stars.
Review of Oliver Twist
