Search - Tom Sawyer on DVD

The best Tom Sawyer i ever saw.

Rick D. Barszcz | bristol, ct United States | 08/27/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This movie was playing at Radio City Music Hall back in the days of the movie/stage show formt. It was also presented in 70mm on that huge Radio City screen. I remember how impressed i was with that opening scene with the steam boat going down the river and you see Tom running thru the field and the music builds more and more. Wow,,,,what a great movie!I've seen many versions of "Tom Sawyer" but this one seems to be the best ever brought to the screen. Maybe because it's a musical. Whatever made this so successful back then you will not be disappointed by it's gradure and scope. A must for ever American kid and adult too. This is as red, white and blue as it gets and now must be the most politically incorrect movie ever made. (hehe) Buy it before some group puts a ban on it. Which should want you to buy this for the kids even more. They don't make them like this anymore."

A Great Film For a Young Boy...

C. Hurt | orlando, florida United States | 11/28/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was seven years old when I first saw this film in a theatre in 1973. I never forgot it. Regardless of what the "high-brow" literary-types say about the screenplay abandoning Twain's original story, this is a terrific film for the young boy in your life who's beginning to notice the wonder of the world around him.As for the music, I don't think you could ask for more than the Oscar-winning duo who provided the tunes for most of Disney's movies for years, Richard and Robert Sherman.Then there's the film's cast, most of whom have gone on to bigger and better things: Remember 'Sgt. Hulka' from "Stripes"? or Jeff East who plays Huck? Not to mention little Jodie Foster. It's worth buying the film just to see them when they were younger...Truly a great film with all the mischief and awe and fun that a young boy dreams of enjoying before he's forced to grow up!"

A national treasure! Please release on DVD.

Dennis Deems | 08/13/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I just re-watched this film and wow, what a treasure of a film!With songs written by the famous Sherman Brothers (the brilliant Disney songwriters who did "Mary Poppins" et al.) and the charm of Johnny Whitaker as Tom Sawyer (1970's tv show"Family Affair") this is the best version of the classic Mark Twain tale I've ever seen on film. You really feel like you're right there in Hannibal, Missouri. Great casting all the way around and a fantastic musical as well. I originally saw this when I was about nine and it completely caught my imagination both then and now. I'd never forgotten several catchy songs from the film, such as "Free Bootin.' Great stuff all the way around.My only complaint is that this film is not currently available on DVD, as I'd love to see and hear this treasure of a film in full visual and audio clarity."

Energetic, sunny adaptation

Dennis Deems | Kansas, USA | 12/01/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Made at a time when the inclusion of songs was all but compulsory for a family film, this musical adaptation nonetheless manages to translate the best aspects of Twain's book to the screen. The movie does an impressive job of creating a dramatic shape out of Twain's material. The book is a collection of episodes which form a composite portrait of Tom's character, and, for adult readers, offer a glimpse into a lost world; but there really is no narrative drive. The murder and Tom's subsequent dilemma about testifying in court are simply two episodes unconnected to the other events. In the book, the boys simply decide one day to form a gang of robbers and go live on the island. In the movie, the retreat to the island arises out of the boys' fear after having witnessed the murder, and it is only the guilt they feel while spying on their own funeral that makes them return home. The songs are not especially memorable, but harmless enough. The performances by the supporting adult cast are strong, particularly that of Celeste Holm as Aunt Polly. A splendid scene at the dinner table is a masterful fleshing-out of Twain's prose. Full of nice photography and beautiful scenery, this movie sparkles with joy and youthful optimism."