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The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn [1985]


RRP: £5.99
Our Price: £4.56 (subject to change)

Great adaptation of Huck Finn
Review date: 2005-12-13 Rating: 10 out of 10

This American Playhouse production is simply the best adaptation of Huckleberry Finn I've seen (out of seven, including all five American cinematic productions from 1931-1993). Much, perhaps most, of the dialogue is taken or only adapted slightly from the novel, so the dialects the characters speak retain the flavor of the book. Patrick Day is not only excellent as Huck Finn, when he speaks, he sounds like the novel's narrator come to life. This long production captures the mood of the novel, alternately humorous and somber, and stresses all the major themes. The main regret I have is that this 3.5 hour production wasn't another 60 minutes longer, so that the Wilkes episode (and the King and Duke's greatest scam) could have been included as well.

Note to North Americans (US/Canada): The UK DVD will probably play on a computer's DVD drive, and many commercial DVD players (for example, it played on my portable DVD player, which I could in turn connect to my TV). The DVD comes in just a few days via Royal Mail, and at around US $10, including shipping (at least in Dec. 2005), this movie is a great bargain.

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Reviews


Best adaptation so far
Review date: 2003-05-08 Rating: 8 out of 10

This is the best adaptation of Huckleberry Finn on film, yet is not without its flaws. But considering all the other woeful attempts, be thankful we have at least one that at least hints at the genius of Mark Twain's novel. Patrick Day is a bit too cute and cuddly, as in most adaptations - nobody wants to see quite the disheveled and homely character that Twain described. In the visual medium of film a character's appeal is invariably enhanced by appearance more than content. Despite these shortcomings, the film has many genuine moments. Sam-Art Williams offers a fine performance as Jim - his retelling of the discovery of his daughter's deafness is heart wrenching. The screenplay, though abridged and at times contrived or reworded, is generally faithful to the spirit of Twain.

Overrated
Review date: 2002-12-10 Rating: 6 out of 10

Made by PBS in 1985, this is widely regarded as the best screen adaptation of Mark Twain's brilliant novel but don't be fooled by the hype. It's not bad; it's just not as good as people would have you believe. For a start Huck is far too clean-cut and his relationship with Jim is artificial and uninspiring. Furthermore, the acting is at times very dodgy. All too often the actors appear to be just rattling off their lines without any attempt at evoking the spirit of 19th century America. For example, Patrick Day's (Huck) attempts at conveying fear at apparently encountering Jim's ghost is so unconvincing that it's right up there with Andie MacDowell's "Is it still raining, I hadn't noticed" speech in Four Weddings and a Funeral (and believe me, that's saying something!!). To give Day credit he brings an understated energy to his portrayal but, like his sidekick Eugene Oakes (Tom Sawyer), he never comes close to recapturing the raw emotion of the novel. Absent, for example, is the darkness, grit and sheer sense of excitement, so essential to the enjoyment of the novel. On the plus side are the production values. The costume department does a decent job and some of the location shoots are great. All in all it's worth buying, if only because you get 215 minutes entertainment at a staggeringly low price. In all honesty though this is far from the best adaptation of Huckleberry Finn. That honour goes to a mini-series starring Canadian actor Ian Tracey called Huckleberry Finn and His Friends. You may remember it from numerous BBC repeats in the mid 80's. At 26 episodes long it is by far the most comprehensive and, arguably, the most evocative and accurate screen adaptation of both the Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn novels. Sadly it has yet to be released commercially on either video or DVD.

Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn
Review date: 2002-09-18 Rating: 8 out of 10

I loved this film and it will delight both childern and adults alike !! It's based on the classic novel by Mark Twain and has a all-star cast. Huck, a rambunctious boy adventurer chafing under the bonds of civilization, escapes his humdrum world and his selfish, plotting father by sailing a raft down the Mississippi River. Accompanying him are his friends Tom Sawyer and Jim, a slave running away from being sold. Together they strike a bond of friendship that takes them through adventures. It's really good.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Eugene Oakes
Sada Thompson
Samm-Art Williams
Patrick Day
Anne Shropshire

Creators:
Patrick Day (Primary Contributor)
Anne Shropshire (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Prism Leisure
Manufacturer: Prism Leisure
EAN: 5014293113557
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2001-09-01
Number of discs: 1
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 211 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1985
Language: English (Original Language)

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