Customer Reviews

Adventures of Mark Twain [VHS]

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

1944's "The Adventures of Mark Twain" is, admittedly, available from another website for almost $10 less than here, but if you prefer purchasing from Amazon (as I usually do), this is a terrific film with a fascinating backstory!

Warner Brothers had high hopes with this lively film biography of America's most beloved author/humorist, casting Academy Award winner Fredric March in the lead. With a first-rate supporting cast (including Alexis Smith, Alan Hale, Donald Crisp, John Carradine as Bret Harte, and C. Aubrey Smith), strong production values, a flavorful Max Steiner score, and "Now Voyager" director Irving Rapper helming the production, the studio was confident the film would be a box office smash, and 'Best Picture' Oscar contender.

Sadly, the film bombed!

The fault wasn't with the production, or with March's performance (he is superb, unmatched in the role until Hal Holbrook's heavily researched portrayal, twenty years later). The problem was audience tastes, in the war year of 1944 (which saw Oscar winners Bing Crosby and "Going My Way" dominate the box office). Another major problem was the involvement of Samuel ("Mark Twain") Clemens' last surviving daughter, who had final approval on every aspect of the film. She was concerned that her father's depression and bitterness after the loss of his wife (he publicly proclaimed "There is no God" and denounced religion), would present a negative image, and demanded the story avoid any controversial aspects of his life. The result of her tinkering would be a film biography that strayed so far from Twain's actual life story that critics heavily panned it in their reviews, and audiences avoided it. The studio quickly pulled it from release (except for overseas markets), and wrote off the expensive production as a loss.

With the passing of time, the film has gained greater appreciation, not as a biography, but as a very entertaining tale of life in 19th century America, as seen through the eyes of an American 'original'. Riverboats, the Civil War, the Wild West, the Age of Invention, touring the world as a humorist (to stave off bancruptcy), being honored at Oxford (an actual event that actor C. Aubrey Smith attended, as a boy), are lovingly recreated, laced with Twain's very funny observations and quips. It's a very enjoyable ride!

Wherever you purchase it, you won't be disappointed!

Twain was someone who lived a full life in his 75 years. He was a Mississippi riverboat man in his early years, and he experimented with gold mining in California. As a writer of growing stature, he courted and won the well-bred Olivia Langdon who traveled with Twain around the world. Twain was in deep bankruptcy after publishing disasters and he became exhausted by work in order to clear his debts. Entertainment derives from Twain's epigrams and comments on humankind; in later years, he became a kind of performing pundit: rather like a nineteenth century version of Will Rogers. Fredric March gives a genuinely spendid performance as the beloved American writer who lived from 1835-1910. A trivia note: Because he was born while it was in orbit, Twain once remarked that he expected to "go out" with Halley's comet when it reappeared in 1910 - and - amazingly, he did! Warners tried to cover too much territory in this film; THE ADVENTURES OF MARK TWAIN were too many, and the picture is forced to montage too much of his life. What saves this film is the uncannily brilliant performance given by March. In the episodes showing him as the elderly Twain, March achieves a truly remarkable portrayal; he was indeed a dedicated and convincing actor!

I especially enjoyed the early scenes which were wonderful and seeing Twain on the riverboat was thrilling. For a forties Hollywood bio, this film does remarkably well. There are factual errors here and there but on the whole, it was a pleasant surprise to see that they got much of it right. I've read that his daughter Clara was a consultant on this movie. Of course it also contained a typically overly sentimental death scene which all films of that era included. I've only been able to see this movie on TCM. Unfortunately, it is unavailable on VHS or DVD.
I don't understand why they have recently issued the Max Steiner score on CD but the DVD is still not available!

Fredric March stars as the famous writer, who despite all the honours that would come his way, had the mud of the Mississippi River stuck between his toes and never got past the plain spoken humour and truth that were a part of him, whether the academics appreciated it or not. The film spans his whole life, taking highlights from various points and tying them together with his famous works and quotations often associated with him. March is quite good in the role, a challenge given the impression everyone already has of the famous writer. Alexis Smith plays his wife and biggest fan. There's not much to the role, and she does what she can with it. His early adventures are a lot more interesting than his later life, although March is more effective as the older Twain. I particularly enjoyed the early riverboat scenes. As with any biography from Forties Hollywood, it approaches its subject with reverence. That's fine, but it doesn't always make for exciting viewing. The film is directed without style or edge, and although it's easy to watch, it's not very inspired or engaging. I think Mr. Twain would have wanted a sharper script!

Much like reading Mark Twain's own work, I started this movie just to see what it was about and couldn't stop until I reached the end. This movie is well presented, moving, and humorous. He'd have been proud.

Terrific vintage Twain Gem from the WW2 era of film-making...Top notch performances by Frederic March, Alan Hale, and Alexis Smith...A good, old-fashioned comedy/drama par excellence!!! Enjoyed every minute of one of my all time favorites!!

Over the years , like the other reviewer I'd been curious but never could catch this on Turner - thank you Amazon. This is a classic movie, if you have ever read Twain you should see this movie. Check that see it anyway it is worth the sit.

This is a good one. Watch it. Well worth the viewing. I've been waiting to get hold of this in DVD. Turner Classics only plays it maybe once or twice a year, and always at 5am.

If you view and agree, please add your voice to the reviews. I'd like to see a hard copy issued. Thanks!

This is a disc burned as one does on one's computer at home. It is not a factory-type burned disc. It will not play on any of my 4 dvd players or my computer. Plays and skips and stops. Bad product. Don't encourage this poor quality. Returning.
btw: I love this movie. Glad I do have it on VHS tape. Great film. Best ending ever.

I couldn't play the DVD on my DVD player/recorder and couldn't figure out why. I finally read the jacket and it said that it would play only on a DVD player, and would not work on a DVD player /recorder. Who ever heard of such of crazy thing. Needless to say, its useless and will have to go back....