What age is Oliver! Musical film appropriate for?

[Christmasideas]

Oliver! Is one of my favourite films, but now I’m struggling to remember what age I first watched it. It’s a U but does have some violence in it and the shooting/hanging scene. Would you say a 6 year old could watch or am I being optimistic? It’s been ages since I saw it.

I didn't realise Nancy was a prostitute until my mid teens. I loved that film as a child.

A U is fine for age 6

I'm sure I would have been watching it at that age. You can always turn it off if he doesn't like it.

I would have said it was all age friendly - mature themes will go over his head

I'm baffled by it being a U. Doesn't Sykes batter Nancy to death? Or am I thinking of a different version?

I’m not exact but I think Nancys death is largely implied

Ah, yes, you are right, it was the 1982 version I was thinking of. Must have merged the two in my head.

I saw it at about that age. I fell asleep!

Well, Auntie Val took Adam to see Oliver when he was 6.*

*Friday Night Dinner reference for anyone who thinks I'm going mad!

It’s the best. My 12 and 14 year olds love the film and show. A six year old would be fine to watch it at home - but save your money for theatre for when they’re a bit older.

The only bit that disturbed me as a kid was when they put Oliver in the coffin.

Depends on the child (it’s quite long and hard to follow) and your opinion (contains violence, prostitution, theft) think mine were younger but then I took them to see Les Mis in the theatre at 4&6, they were very good at sitting still because we had done theatre, concerts and church from babies

I was OBSESSED with this film at just turned 7 years old. I was quite a sensitive child too, so I think it would be fine for a six year old.

I watched it while in primary and loved it. Still do. Nancy gets battered at the end but you just see Bill’s shadow. Then the hanging at the end isn’t pleasant. But I only remember them from when I watched it as an adult. The songs and dances are amazing and the most memorable.

(Edited to change post as DD got unlocked phone 🤦🏿‍♀️)

Oh, I didn't realise that Nancy was a prostitute either.

I took my child to see a theatre production of this when they were your child's age.

My child was enthralled. As others have said, the fact Nancy was a prostitute and Sykes killed her is implied, and totally went over my child's head.

a bit like I didn't realise Stanley raped Stella in A Street Cat names desire when I was 12. It's implied, because it's of its time when such things weren't mentioned overtly.

what did surprise me was my child's reaction to the finale, when Fagin is arrested. My child was beside themselves, proper sobbing, saying it wasn't his fault , he was just a poor old man.

one way of looking at it I suppose.

I’m not sure as I remember watching it aged about 9 and being a traumatised by the scene where Bill kills Nancy. I know you don’t actually see it but it’s still awful and I hate that bit even now!

I remember watching it at a cinema when I was seven. When the lights went up again my mouth and eyes were dry because I had been so entranced I had forgotten to blink or shut my mouth.

I always thought that Bill slipped and got caught in his rope while trying to swing across a gap.