Amazon.com: Tom Sawyer: Johnny Whitaker, Cleste Holm, Warren Oates, Jeff East: Amazon Instant Video

Product Details

Synopsis: Oscar winner Jodie Foster (Contact) is a "natural-born scene-stealer" (Los Angeles Times) as Becky Thatcher in this Oscar-nominated musical adaptation of Mark Twain's classic novel starring redheaded mop-top Johnny Whitaker ("Family Affair") as the rascally Tom Sawyer. "A genuine pleasure" (Reader's Digest), this charming family film co-stars Oscar winner Celeste Holm (All About Eve) as tough-loving Aunt Polly. 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).

Starring: Johnny Whitaker, Cleste Holm

Supporting actors: Warren Oates, Jeff East, Jodie Foster

Directed by: Don Taylor

Genre: Adventure, Musical, Family

Runtime: 1 hour 39 minutes

Studio: MGM

ASIN: B001A3JG1K (Rental) and B001A3HBVW (Purchase)

Rights & Requirements

Rental rights: 7 day viewing period Details

Purchase rights: Stream instantly and download to 2 locations. Details

Compatible with: Mac and Windows PC online viewing, compatible instant streaming devices, TiVo DVRs. System requirements

Format: Amazon Instant Video (streaming online video and digital download)

Also available on DVD

Tom Sawyer DVD ~ Johnny Whitaker

3.4 out of 5 stars (49) $11.99

Theatrical Release Information

Production Company: Reader's Digest, Apjac International
Also Known As: A Musical Adaptation of Mark Twain's 'Tom Sawyer' / Mark Twain's Tom Sawyer: A Musical Adaptation
Filming Locations: Arrow Rock, Missouri, USA | Howe Caverns, Howes Cave, New York, USA | Lupus, Missouri, USA | Meramac Caverns, Missouri, USA

Video Format Details

Online Viewing	PC Download	TiVo box	Portable device
View instantly from any PC or Mac with a broadband connection	Ready to watch in about 40 minutes*	Ready to watch in about 45 minutes*	Ready to transfer in about 40 minutes*

* Your download times may vary--estimates shown are for a typical DSL connection (1.5 Mbits/sec). Rental videos cannot be transferred to a portable device.

Customer Reviews

49 Reviews

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(12)

Average Customer Review

3.4 out of 5 stars (49 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best Tom Sawyer i ever saw., August 26, 2002

By

Rick D. Barszcz (bristol, ct United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tom Sawyer [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This movie was playing at Radio City Music Hall back in the days of the movie/stage show formt. It was also presented in 70mm on that huge Radio City screen. I remember how impressed i was with that opening scene with the steam boat going down the river and you see Tom running thru the field and the music builds more and more. Wow,,,,what a great movie!I've seen many versions of "Tom Sawyer" but this one seems to be the best ever brought to the screen. Maybe because it's a musical. Whatever made this so successful back then you will not be disappointed by it's gradure and scope. A must for ever American kid and adult too. This is as red, white and blue as it gets and now must be the most politically incorrect movie ever made. (hehe) Buy it before some group puts a ban on it. Which should want you to buy this for the kids even more. They don't make them like this anymore.

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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Film For a Young Boy..., November 28, 2001

By

C. Hurt (orlando, florida United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tom Sawyer [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I was seven years old when I first saw this film in a theatre in 1973. I never forgot it. Regardless of what the "high-brow" literary-types say about the screenplay abandoning Twain's original story, this is a terrific film for the young boy in your life who's beginning to notice the wonder of the world around him.

As for the music, I don't think you could ask for more than the Oscar-winning duo who provided the tunes for most of Disney's movies for years, Richard and Robert Sherman.

Then there's the film's cast, most of whom have gone on to bigger and better things: Remember 'Sgt. Hulka' from "Stripes"? or Jeff East who plays Huck? Not to mention little Jodie Foster. It's worth buying the film just to see them when they were younger...

Truly a great film with all the mischief and awe and fun that a young boy dreams of enjoying before he's forced to grow up!

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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Energetic, sunny adaptation, November 30, 2003

By

Dennis Deems (Kansas, USA) - See all my reviews

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

Made at a time when the inclusion of songs was all but compulsory for a family film, this musical adaptation nonetheless manages to translate the best aspects of Twain's book to the screen. The movie does an impressive job of creating a dramatic shape out of Twain's material. The book is a collection of episodes which form a composite portrait of Tom's character, and, for adult readers, offer a glimpse into a lost world; but there really is no narrative drive. The murder and Tom's subsequent dilemma about testifying in court are simply two episodes unconnected to the other events. In the book, the boys simply decide one day to form a gang of robbers and go live on the island. In the movie, the retreat to the island arises out of the boys' fear after having witnessed the murder, and it is only the guilt they feel while spying on their own funeral that makes them return home. The songs are not especially memorable, but harmless enough. The performances by the supporting adult cast are strong, particularly that of Celeste Holm as Aunt Polly. A splendid scene at the dinner table is a masterful fleshing-out of Twain's prose. Full of nice photography and beautiful scenery, this movie sparkles with joy and youthful optimism.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Tom-Amazon

I've watched this movie many years ago, I received the DVD
nice and speedy. Excellant condition. Read more

Published 26 days ago by Kathy

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful surprise!
This is a wonderful musical version of Mark Twain's classic,beautifully filmed in Mississippi under Don Taylor's sprightly direction. Read more

Published 3 months ago by Nicholas A. Ziinojr

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Musical
Wow...A great musical that brings Tom Sawyer to life. Johnny Whitaker as Tom Sawyer and Jeff East as Huckleberry Finn are perfect as the protagonists. Read more