Tom Sawyer [VHS]
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VHS Movie Reviews of Tom Sawyer [VHS]
Movie Review: Best Tom Sawyer
Summary: 5 Stars
I won't add much to the other reviews. But Jody Foster is quite cute as Becky Thatcher. Although the lovely songs are by the Sherman brothers, the incidental music is by some guy named John Williams - one of his early efforts. Completists might want to make a note of that. Therefore the music played when Tom is running through the field (mentioned in another review) is John Williams'. Movie Review: It's the most won-der-ful time... in your life!
Summary: 3 Stars
Like many here my review reflects the dvd as a purchase and not only the "movie". I was shocked to see my widescreen smile go to a fullscreen frown in minutes. I then read the back of the box and realized the error of MGM's ways. Had I took the time to read this in the store I doubt I would have bought it, though in hindsight who knows when another issue will be made, I'll likely ditch this and get that when it does. The best part about this release (and most important) is the sound anyway, and WOW they squeeze a lot of mileage out of Stereo Surround! I then rechecked the box to see if this was 5.1 and it wasn't but man oh man you'd never guess it twasn't! The picture is grainy on certain shots, others it is clear and bright, and it bothers me there ain't a whisker of an extra, but I guess that's for the "special edition". 2/5
On with the show!
I really like this movie and always have. Being brought up on it I guess it's almost forced, almost like a religion, but watching this as an adult you certainly appreciate different things about the movie. I see Aunt Polly is VITAL to this movie, her lone performance raises this to another level. Celeste Holm was superbly cast! Johnny Whitaker in my mind IS Tom Sawyer however during casting I am surprised more thought wasn't put into casting a Tom that could, umm, you know, sing a note:) Jeff East as Huck has always been solid and Warren Oates as Muff Potter still shines. Watching this as full-grow'd man I do have regrets that more footage wasn't shot between the glorious Jody Foster's Becky and Johnny's Tom. That chemistry is almost scary considering it's comin' from young'ns. And who could forget the PC incorrect staggerin', "Injun Joe?!" He haunted us all but now we just sit back and laugh... gulp, I didn't mean to say that JOE!! No, he's still got that terror filled look. 4/5
While the songs can be a tad abrupt sometimes sprouting from dialogue they are generally fun and the melodies are almost always memorable. The theme song alone has been with me for many years. Overall, money comes and goes and while I would have liked to put mine towards a better edition, I doubt I could have put it towards a better Tom Sawyer, and yeah know, at this place in time that's all that really counts.
Movie Review: A Glorious Experience!
Summary: 5 Stars
Tom Sawyer is a rascally young boy doing his best to grow-up carefree and mischievous on the banks of the Mississippi River in Hannibal, Missouri. He lives with his frustrated Aunt Polly and her children, goody-goody Sid, who has it in for Tom, and lovely Mary, who is Tom's only supporter when he gets himself into trouble. Tom's best friend is Huckleberry Finn, an outsider who lives off the land and water and has no one to look after him. The two boys love to fish, go swimming, play pirates on the river, and hang out with their pal, Muff Potter, the friendly town drunk. The days pass pretty much regularly like that for Tom, Huck, and their friends. That is, until two people shake up their world. One is a sweet little girl named Becky Thatcher, the daughter of the new judge in town. When Tom meets Becky, it's love at first sight. Unfortunately, the other disruption in the lives of Tom and Huck is not quite as benign. The menacing figure known as Injun Joe makes more than a little trouble for the boys when they witness him murdering the town doctor one night in the graveyard and putting the blame on poor Muff Potter! It suddenly becomes Tom's difficult decision of whether or not to break his pact of secrecy with Huck and save their innocent, drunken friend from the gallows!
If you are a fan of Mark Twain's delightful tales of boyhood adventure, AND if you love a good family musical, look no further than 1973's "Tom Sawyer." From MGM Studios and featuring the wonderful music of Disney faves the Sherman Brothers (conducted by John Williams!), "Tom Sawyer" is a treat for anyone with a sense of adventure and mischievous fun! Being a huge fan of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn movies, I have wanted to see this one for years. I had vague memories of seeing parts of it on the Disney Channel as a kid, and I finally picked it up on DVD at my local retailer for under 5 dollars. True, the DVD is in full screen, and it's also true that it cruelly teases us by presenting the trailer (the only extra feature) and film credits in widescreen(and this movie screams widescreen!), but for a price like that, it's worth picking up until a definitive edition comes along! The songs are fantastic! Naturally, it's the Sherman brothers! They do a wonderful job of capturing the feelings and situations of Mark Twain's classic characters! They're catchy too! You'll be singing them in your head long after the movie is over! The performances are top notch as well! Johnny Whitaker is exactly what I would think a young Mark Twain might have looked like, and he's perfect for the role of Tom, full of energy, scheming, and stretchers. Jeff East is wonderful as Huckleberry. Now, I'm dying to see him reprise the role in the sequel that came out a year later! Of course, everyone loves little Jodie Foster, here taking on the important role of Becky Thatcher. Celeste Holm and the rest of the cast are terrific too, but I'm going to name Warren Oates as my favorite in the lovable role of Muff Potter and with the highly enjoyable song "Man's Gotta Be (What He's Born To Be)." Of course, the story stays mostly true to what we've seen before on the screen, but the outstanding job done here in adapting "Tom Sawyer" into a musical version takes it to a whole new level! Perhaps the 1938 David O. Selznick version is still the best straight interpretation of the story (and I admit that Disney's 1995 teenie-bopper version, "Tom and Huck," is a guilty pleasure, but I LOVE Rachael Leigh Cook) , but if you're looking for something with a little extra "oomph," try out 1973's musical masterpiece, "Tom Sawyer."
Movie Review: the kids love it
Summary: 4 Stars
For the parents out there - my 3 and 5 year olds love this movie. They sing the songs and pretend to be Huck and Tom. There is no violence or bad language. Note: my 3 year old doesn't get much of what is going on in the movie, so he probably enjoys watching it because of his big brother. He has learned the words to the song that Huck and Tom sing, though.
You can also use this movie to discuss the value of honesty and doing the right thing even when it is the difficult thing to do.
Movie Review: Waste of a release!
Summary: 1 Stars
I remember seeing this movie when I was a kid at Radio City Music Hall in New York. I really loved it and as DVD's became more and more popular over the years I waited anxiously for the release of Tom Sawyer. All I can say is this.................
IF A MOVIE IS FILMED IN WIDESCREEN FORMAT THEN PLEASE RELEASE IT IN WIDESCREEN ON DVD. Don't waste your money on this until the studios wise up.