Other mistake: When Oliver is meeting Fagin and his boys, he says, "Is this a laundry then, sir?" You can see Jack Wild (Dodger) mouthing that line on the left side of the screen.
Oliver (1968)
Ending / spoiler
Directed by: Carol Reed
Starring: Oliver Reed, Ron Moody, Harry Secombe, Mark Lester, Shani Wallis
Nancy, feeling guilty about kidnapping Oliver, has a change of heart and visits Mr Brownlow (it turns out that Oliver is Browlow's nephew). She tells him that she'll bring Oliver to London Bridge at midnight. Meanwhile, Bill Sykes takes Oliver with him to rob a nobleman's house (Oliver is small enough to get through one of the windows), however when attempting to unlock the door Oliver knocks a plate off a table and inadvertantly wakes the owner of the house, forcing Sykes to abort his burglary and return to the Three Cripples with Oliver. Whilst midight approaches, Nancy attempts to "put Oliver to bed" but Sykes tells her to leave him alone and has Bullseye (his dog) guard him. In an attempt to cause a distraction, Nancy sings "Oom-Pah-Pah" and gets the patrons to join in. During the number, Nancy grabs Oliver and makes a run for it, however Bullseye alerts Sykes who gives chase. At London Bridge, Sykes catches up to Nancy & Oliver and brutally murders her (offscreen) but is seen by Brownlow, who's on the bridge. A passerby recognises Bullseye and presumes Sykes killed Nancy (by this time an angry mob have turned up). Bullseye, who was almost killed by Sykes for being recognised, leads the mob to him. Sykes, meanwhile, has turned up at Fagin's hideout with Oliver and demands some money from him. Presently the angry townsfolk arrive which force Fagin and his gang to escape. Sykes takes Oliver to the rooftop and attempts to swing across to another, but is shot and killed by a police officer. Oliver is rescued and returned to Brownlow, whilst Fagin appears when the mob have left and briefly reprises "Reviewing The Situation" and bumps into the Artful Dodger, who gives him a stolen wallet. They leave together singing a rendition of "You've Got To Pick A Pocket Or Two".
NCTanti
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Question: Why was this movie rated G? It does contain some violence and a murder scene and some content that's inappropriate for children.
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Chosen answer: You are correct that "Oliver" does have some material that might be intense for young children - including a murder, some minor violence, issues of adoption, child abuse, kidnapping, and even some sexual content (but only by innuendo). Drinking alcohol is also involved, and some of the characters with whom we are meant to sympathize are, in fact, thieves. But intense content does not necessarily preclude a movie from obtaining a "G" rating. There have been several G-rated movies which have content, including killing, that could be frightening for children, including "Bambi," "The Lion King," "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," and "The Wizard of Oz," to name a few. In "Oliver," most of the violence is alluded to, and the murder of Nancy is committed out of sight (only Sykes' hand is visible, and Nancy's screams are heard), though it is frightening and realistic. Violence can be permitted in G-rated films, as long as it is "minimal." Sexual innuendo is permitted, in small doses, as long as lewd acts aren't shown. Intense content is also permitted. Drug use is not permitted, but I suppose the tavern scenes are cartoonish enough as to not warrant a more harsh rating. The bottom line is that ratings are determined by the MPAA - Motion Picture Association of America, and that association is given wide latitude and discretion. Apparently, the "mature" content of "Oliver!" was not viewed as rising to a level which the MPAA felt would warrant a more stringent rating.
Michael Albert