I have seen virtually all the versions of Oliver Twist. The 1985 BBC production is by far the most complete and faithful and makes the story make sense far better than any other version. It also has some perfect casting and is a really enjoyable production. Many will love the 1968 musical for the songs and the perfect Mr Bumble (Harry Secombe), and the 1948 David Lean version for the perfect Fagin (Alec Guinness). But the 1985 version is the definitive. This 2007 version was very watchable but at the end of the day it is way too short, cuts out way too much to do the story justice or allow it make sense, and is just pretty lacklustre. It looks nice but has no substance. Tom Hardy is the perfect personality for a guy like Bill Sykes, he is one of the few actors today who really lets loose of their darkness and brings it to their characters. But I think there have been better Bill's, even if he is the most believable menacing. Timothy Spall is a great actor but embarrassing as Fagin. If you didn't watch it at Christmas in 2007 when it was on when you were relaxing I think you can probably skip this version.