Tom Sawyer [Blu-ray]

Overview

Mark Twain's classic tale is brought to the screen for the fourth time, this time with a tuneful score by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, who also wrote the screen adaptation. Johnny Whitaker stars as Tom Sawyer, with Jeff East in his first film role as Huck Finn. Jodie Foster is also on hand, playing the role of Becky Thatcher. This enjoyable family fare was nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Art Direction, Best Song Score and Best Costume Design.

Product Details

Release Date:	04/26/2022
UPC:	0850035985915
Original Release:	1973
Rating:	G
Source:	Sandpiper Pictures
Language:	English
Time:	1:39:00
Sales rank:	5,183

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Johnny Whitaker	Tom Sawyer
Celeste Holm	Aunt Polly
Warren Oates	Muff Potter
Jeff East	Huckleberry Finn
Jodie Foster	Becky Thatcher
Lucille Benson	Widow Douglas
Richard Eastham	Doc Robinson
Noah Keen	Judge Thatcher
Henry Jones	Mister Dobbins
Dub Taylor	Clayton,Small Boy
Sandy Kenyon	Constable Clemens
Joshua Hill Lewis	Cousin Sidney
Susan Joyce	Cousin Mary
Steve Hogg	Ben Rogers
Sean Summers	Billy Fisher
Kevin Jefferson	Joe Jefferson
Page Williams	Saloon Girl,Conductor
Kunu Hank	Injun Joe
James A. Kuhn	Blacksmith
Mark Lynch	Prosecuting Attorney
Anne Voss	Girl
Richard M. Sherman	Composer,Composer

Technical Credits

Robert B. Sherman

Don Taylor	Director
Robert B. Sherman	Screenwriter,Screenwriter
Arthur P. Jacobs	Producer
Dean Vernon	Sound/Sound Designer
Murray Spivack	Sound/Sound Designer
Theodore Soderberg	Sound/Sound Designer

Editorial Reviews

Film musicals typically carried very hefty price tags by 1973; Tom Sawyer was a bit of a throwback, a more modestly budgeted "tuner," and one that aimed squarely at the children's market. On the whole, this adaptation of Mark Twain's classic is pleasantly diverting, although it doesn't capture the satire, irony and social commentary that are a major part of the book. The movie is suffused with the golden glow of nostalgia and a longing for a simpler time - right from the start, the opening song tells us that "A boy is gonna grow to a man, a man/Only once in his life is he free," and while Twain may not have appreciated this approach, it works quite well. Johnny Whitaker is good for the role as conceived for the film; he lacks the rough edge that the character has in the novel, but he has an agreeable presence and a lively spirit and keeps "cutesy" moments to a minimum. Jeff East is even better as Huck, and Jodie Foster a game Becky Thatcher. Of the adults, Celeste Holm provides some much appreciated musical theatre expertise. The score is undistinguished but catchy -- "Freebootin'" is bound to stick in the audience's mind for days after viewing. The location filming is quite attractive, and the physical production is superior. Tom Sawyer is an undemanding and amiable movie that children especially will enjoy.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler