Anti-Semitism in David Lean’s and Roman Polański’s Oliver Twist

Abstract

The novel Oliver Twist is one of Charles Dickens’ most popular works and has been widely criticised due to the use of anti-Semitism in its plot. This criticism has also transferred to the adaptations that were made of the novel. This thesis will look at two film adaptations of the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens; the 1948 adaptation directed by David Lean and the 2005 adaptation directed by Roman Polański. It will examine how the anti-Semitic elements of the novel are adapted to the screen, as well as compare the two adaptations in relation to anti-Semitism. By analysing how these two directors incorporated such a delicate subject in their adaptations may give us an insight in how the two contemporary film industries handled such subjects.