Product Details

• Actors: Rhett Akins, Mark Wills (II), Lee Ann Womack, Hynden Walch, Alecia Elliott
• Directors: Phil Mendez, Paul Sabella
• Format: Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
• DVD Release Date: July 30, 2002
• Run Time: 89 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0792844556
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #71,367 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Tom Sawyer" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The classic Mark Twain book The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is presented here as an animated video featuring the voices and music of country music stars Mark Wills, Lee Ann Womack, Rhett Akins, and Hank Williams Jr. Other famous voices include Betty White and Don Knotts. Twain's general plot is reproduced fairly faithfully: Tom falls in love with Becky, Tom and Huckleberry Finn witness a murder and later risk their lives to save the falsely accused Potter, and Tom and Huck eventually find Red Beard's buried treasure. Subtle elements have been changed for either political correctness or plot convenience: for instance, the name "Injun Joe" has been changed to "Injurin' Joe" and Becky has gained an antagonist father. A not so subtle change is the presentation of the characters as animals: Tom and Becky are cats, Huck is a fox, and Joe is a bear. The video is skillfully animated (much more so than the cover suggests) and the voice talent is excellent. Pop-country music lovers will love featured songs such as "You Can't Keep a Country Boy Down" and "There's a Light at the End of the Tunnel," although they seem more appropriate for adult audiences than the 5- to 12-year-olds this video is aimed at. All in all, this is an entertaining, accessible presentation of a classic story that kids will enjoy. --Tami Horiuchi

Product Description

A mischievous orphan with a knack for tall tales, Tom lives with his exasperated aunt in the riverfront town of Hannibal, Missouri. Along with his ragtag best friend Huckleberry Finn (Jeff East) and his fetching sweetheart Becky Thatcher, Tom's life is a series of clever and irrepressible adventures. But when he and Huck witness a crime, Tom must decide if he will risk his life to exonerate town bum Muff Potter (Warren Oates).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent animated version of an American Classic., April 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Tom Sawyer [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The animation itself is very well done, being on a par with1993's "Once Upon a Forest", and nicely conveys the variousmoods and emotions of the plot and characters. About the only real problem I noticed throughout was a slight continuity problem: sometimes Tom is barefoot in scenes where, a second before, he'd been wearing shoes. But this is just a minor thing.

While I'm not a "Pop-Country" fan, the music in this effort is, if not show-stopping, then at least pleasant to the ear without detracting from the plot and children will probably like some of the bouncier rhythms.

As a previous reviewer notes, the plot mostly follows the book with; as noted; certain concessions made to political correctness. But this does not detract from any of the characterizations or the "romance" of Tom's puppy-love-at-first-sight attraction to Becky Thatcher (and Amy Lawrence's transition from "woman-scorned" anger to resigned semi-acceptance of it is tastefully handled too) and the drama of Deputy Bean's murder by Injurin' Joe and his pursuit of Tom and Becky through Deadman's Cave.

So if you're a parent looking for a Video that both you and the kids might enjoy watching on a rainy afternoon, this is one that I can definitely recommend. (And if it gets the viewer [especially kids] interested in reading Twain's American Classics "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" too [as it did me!], then chalk that up as an added bonus!)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent movie/cartoon for family, April 8, 2000

By 

Stephanie (Ft. Worth Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tom Sawyer [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is a terrific movie/cartoon that the whole family can watch. Rhett Akins and LeeAnn Womack are great. It has a wonderful soundtrack for adults and children alike. The music sends a good message as well as the story being a Mark Twain Classic.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An MGM Animated Classic, July 2, 2010

By 

AdamLHumphreys_com - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tom Sawyer (DVD)

If you grew up during the 80s and 90s with movies like All Dogs Go to Heaven, Secret of NIMH, Oliver & Company, The Aristocats, Cats Don't Dance, David Copperfield (Sheena Easton), The Rescuers, The Fox and the Hound, The Brave Little Toaster, and others, then this movie is most likely for you.

Tom Sawyer brought me the same special feeling as All Dogs Go to Heaven did about 20 years ago! Perhaps the most notable scene is where Tom and Becky get lost in the cave followed by an excellent song. Before entering the cave, Tom says it's "too dangerous for girls," to which Becky replies "you've got a lot to learn about girls."

I first saw this movie on YouTube and just had to buy it. Beautiful animation and great songs makes this movie a sure MGM classic to enjoy!