an early VHS recording of this film played a significant part in my family Christmas celebrations some twenty years ago. perhaps it is this that allows me to forgive the films overly sentimental and stagy approach to this oft told tale . some have called this "olivers " poor relation coming as it did in the wake of that unrivaled masterpiece and yes it does seem at times as if we may have heard a melody or ditty before (" consider yourself /thankyou very much- need i say more ")finney and co tread hallowed ground but do so with aplomb. kelsey grammers recent musical outing doesn't come close and the visual trickery of Disney's version makes it equal too but never better than this rendition .what mr dickens would have thought is of course quite another matter.
