Huckleberry Finn (1975) (TV)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

Robert Totten

Writers:

Jean Holloway (writer)
Mark Twain (novel)

Release Date:

25 March 1975 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure

Plot:

Huckleberry Finn, a rambuctious boy adventurer chafing under the bonds of civilization, escapes his humdrum world and his selfish...

Plot Keywords:

Friendship | Auction | Wealth | Magnifying Glass | Runaway

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Ron Howard	...	Huckleberry Finn
Don Most	...	Tom Sawyer (as Donny Most)
Royal Dano	...	Mark Twain
Antonio Fargas	...	Jim
Jack Elam	...	King
Merle Haggard	...	Duke
Dee Carroll	...	Aunt Sally
James Almanzar	...	Silas Phelps
Rance Howard	...	Pap Finn
Jean Speegle Howard	...	Widow Douglas
Clint Howard	...	Arch
Sarah Selby	...	Aunt Polly
Alex Nicol	...	Dr. Robinson
Bill Erwin	...	Harvey Wilkes
Matthew 'Stymie' Beard	...	Jeremiah

MPAA:

Rated PG for language and mild violence.

Runtime:

78 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Arrow Rock, Missouri, USA

Company:

ABC Circle Films

Movie Connections:

Version of The Adventures of Huck Finn (1993)

Soundtrack:

Mississippi (Said the River, I'm Your Friend)

The Most Faithful Adaption I've Seen

This is the best translation of Twain's novel into a movie I know of. It is convincingly realistic and well acted. Ron Howard isn't an excellent Huck but he does fine in the role and Antonio Fargas doesn't really make much of an impression. Royal Dano does a decent job as Mark Twain, though wholly unnecessary and somewhat ridiculous as a sort of narrator. Aside from this, the movie is very entertaining and far superior to MGM's 1939 and 1960 versions. The short running time is both advantageous and detrimental. It keeps the story pacing fast and moves it along nicely but it feels like there is a lot missing that could have been included. Nothing important but little things that would've given more depth to the story and character. There also seems to be a sense of humor that this film lacks. That is why this works better. It's a serious adaption which has more of a real life perspective. The best representation of this is the beginning scenes with Pap, Huck's father. If you've seen other versions, this can be easily appreciated. The direction is especially good. It has the look and feel of the time and setting, creating a perfectly fitting atmosphere. The movie has flaws but it's quite good. My grade B+