'Oliver Twist,' airing Sunday and Feb. 22 on PBS' 'Masterpiece'

The Orlando Sentinel (MCT) - Oliver Twist has one of the greatest hard-knock lives in literature. The 10-year-old lost his mother at birth, toils in the workhouse and falls in with thieves. He is sold, shot, kidnapped, marked for murder and the victim of cruel justice and bad medicine.

Take away the music of "Oliver!" and the startling bleakness of "Oliver Twist" comes through in a superb new version from PBS' "Masterpiece." The two-part miniseries premieres at 9 p.m. EST Sunday and continues Feb. 22.

Despite the grim aspects, this "Oliver Twist" provides rousing entertainment. Director Coky Giedroyc and writer Sarah Phelps make this Charles Dickens classic throb with freshness and frankness.

In the most startling moment, Oliver's back, bruised from many lashes, is briefly seen. This is no musty classic, but a relevant portrait of how an abused child triumphs.

This "Twist" feels contemporary for a period piece. The filmmakers heighten the intrigue, explore the seedy underworld and portray a murderer's guilt with haunting artistry. The background score has folk and even rock flourishes.

The actors tackle familiar roles with creative energy. Timothy Spall of "Harry Potter" makes Fagin funny and flamboyant, but also surprisingly courageous. In an inspired bit of color-blind casting, Sophie Okonedo portrays Nancy with heart-rending heroism. Tom Hardy plays Bill Sikes as a scary lout whose sexy qualities nevertheless thrill Nancy.

The best thing in this "Oliver Twist" is Oliver himself. Newcomer William Miller provides a steady, strong center to the sprawling drama. He acts forcefully in standing up to adults, and with understated grace when the story takes shocking turns.

At the end, William as Oliver takes a bow. It's perfectly understandable; it's a remarkable child performance that proves "Oliver Twist" doesn't need music to sing.

And more Dickens is on the way. "Masterpiece," trying to recapture its success with Jane Austen last year, will present "The Tales of Charles Dickens." That means productions of "David Copperfield," "Little Dorrit" and "The Old Curiosity Shop" will follow.

___

© 2009, The Orlando Sentinel (Fla.).