Tom and Huck (1995)

Fun but Flawed Star Vehicle

Tom Sawyer (Jonathan Taylor Thomas) is being best friends with fellow orphan Huckleberry Finn (Brad Renfro). Against his Aunt Polly's (Amy Wright) wishes, Tom spends every moment he can with Huck.

And that leads to trouble. When they sneak into a cemetery late one night, they witness Injun Joe (Eric Schweig) kill Doc Robinson (William Newman) and frame drunk Muff Potter (Michael McShane) for it. Knowing that Injun Joe will come after them if they squeal, they take a vow of silence.

There is plenty of fun around town, especially when pretty new girl Becky Thatcher (Rachael Leigh Cook) is around. But Tom can't get the murder out of his mind, especially when Muff goes to trial. Will he do the right thing?

It's funny that this movie is called Tom and Huck since it is obviously based on Twain's Tom Sawyer and just as obviously created as a star vehicle for Jonathan Taylor Thomas during the height of his popularity. They try to clean up his character, which is a shame because he would have been brilliant as the quick thinking, trouble causing Tom of the book. Instead, here he is more Huck's follower, and there seems a bit of hero worship to their relationship, with Huck being too cool for the younger Tom.

This movie does include many of the famous scenes from the novel. And there is plenty of fun along the way. The funniest scene is the scene in the church. The novel still pulls it off best, but this one comes close.

But this movie is also scarier than many takes on the story. Injun Joe is down right creepy, and there are several scenes that might scare the younger members of the viewing audience.

Despite the fun, I just can't get over how they've changed the characters. This isn't a bad version of the Twain classic, but it isn't good either. July 2, 2008

TWISTED TWAIN

Any fan of Mark Twain's writing will be appalled at what this particular Disney version has done to it. This one takes liberties with the classic characters never before dared. A perfect example of the complete disregard for Twain's authentic sense of time and place is the laughable fact that neither Tom or Huck ever once are seen barefoot, an absolute hallmark of the characters! The old David O. Selznick production is far superior! April 4, 2008

Loved it!

I love Jonathan Taylor Thomas, so naturally I decided to check out some of his earlier movies. And I'm fairly glad I did. Tom and Huck is an innocent classic tribute to...well...innocence. A lot of the movies you see today are graphic and violent and sexual. Things that are PG rated today would have been R rated back in the sixties. My friend says that's because we've 'evolved.' I think that's a load of crap. If evolving means watching things I should, then I'd rather be stuck in the stone age.

But enough of my ranting. Your kids will thank you for buying them this movie. I'm thirteen years old and I loved it. Just short enough to keep your kids attention. October 24, 2007

Tom and Huck

A great movie to watch with your kids, especially if you have read the books- Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. My boys enjoyed the movie too. June 16, 2007

I liked some of it.

I liked Jonathan Taylor Thomas. He did a good job playing Tom, even though he didn't match up with the "real Tom." Brad Refro was good even though I didn't picture Huck Finn like that. Becky was terrible! I have love the book and this actor and script doesn't even come close! They did a good job with Injun Joe. I don't think you can make a video as good as the book but, one day I hope they will. January 27, 2007

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