What a great movie, in glorious black and white. The acting is superb. Robert Newton as Bill Sykes is at the top of the bill and is terrific, not hamming it up too much as he did from time to time. Guinness as Fagin is second on the bill. He wasn't yet a big star, but his Fagin is unforgettable. I took it to school to show today, and after some grumbling, "I won't watch a black and white movie!," the kids (4th through 8th graders) were soon hooked and remained riveted for the next two hours. The film is a true masterpiece. Nobody makes movies nearly as good these days.
The musical score by Arnold Bax is wonderful. An exceptionally beautiful passage occurs just after Bill has killed Nancy. He has sat in the room all night with the body and with the arrival of morning there's a gorgeous horn solo with a following orchestral interlude. I believe I recognized the playing of the great Dennis Brain who was the solo horn in the Philharmonia, the orchestra playing the soundtrack.
