Having endured a miserable and brutal childhood, Oliver is sold to a local undertaker where his mistreatment forces him to escape to London. Once in the capital, he is welcomed by the criminal underworld into the seductive world of pick-pocketing and, before long, is in deep trouble with the Law.
Fagin meets Monks and is promised handsome payment if he brings about Oliver’s death. However, Fagin reasons that someone may pay to have him returned safely.
Sikes escapes back to London with a badly wounded Oliver. Nancy nurses him, determined to save his life. Mr Bumble declares his love for Mrs Corney. Rose continues to search for Oliver but is discovered by Monks, who tells Brownlow of her secret mission. Nancy overhears Monks telling Fagin that he wants Oliver dead.
Despite Corney and Bumble’s attempts to extort money from him, Monks quickly gets the upper hand and leaves with the necklace, the letter and a page of the register recording Oliver’s birth. Nancy cares for Oliver, promising that she will get him back to the safety of the Brownlows. However, Dodger is aware of Nancy’s betrayal, putting her in grave danger.
Snatching Oliver as a hostage, Sikes goes on the run but finds that Nancy’s ghost continues to haunt him. Brownlow and the police raid Fagin’s den. There is no sign of Oliver and Fagin is arrested. Monks returns to London but when he arrives home, he finds Brownlow, Rose and the police waiting for him.
