| Tom Sawyer | 
 enlarge | Director: Don Taylor
Actors: Johnny Whitaker, Celeste Holm, Warren Oates, Jeff East, Jodie Foster
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Category: Video
List Price: $4.94
Buy New: $4.75
You Save: $0.19 (4%)
New (8) Used (15) Collectible (6) from $1.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  34 reviews
Sales Rank: 13394
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Hifi Sound, Original Recording Reissued, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: G (General Audience)
Media: VHS Tape
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 104
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 4.2 x 1.1
ISBN: 6304413491
UPC: 027616645838
EAN: 9786304413494
ASIN: 6304413491
Theatrical Release Date: March 15, 1973
Release Date: December 7, 1994
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: BRAND NEW FACTORY SEALED !!!!!
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
The 1973 version of Tom Sawyer features Mark Twain's young hero in a rousing musical adventure. Much to the exasperation of his Aunt Polly (Celeste Holm), Tom (Johnny Whitaker) likes nothing better than going fishing with Huck Finn (Jeff East, who reprised the role a year later in Huckleberry Finn), spinning a tall tale, or convincing the other boys to whitewash a fence for him. But life gets complicated when a pretty girl moves in to town (a 10-year-old Jodie Foster), and then a friend runs into serious trouble and only Tom can bail him out. It's not a letter-for-letter adaptation of Twain, but it's entertaining, and the music (songs by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, score by John Williams) is fun, with such songs as "Tom Sawyer," "Gratisfaction," and "Free Bootin'." It's less lavish than 1970's Oliver!, but should appeal to the same audience. Like Oliver!, however, some parental discretion is advised due to a sinister villain (Kunu Hank's Injun Joe), implied violence, and scary situations. --David Horiuchi
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| Customer Reviews: Read 29 more reviews...
 Wonderful film! Terrible DVD. August 25, 2008
This is a favorite from my childhood. I saw it in the theatre when it was first released, and I owned the album and the (widescreen) laser disc.
I was so disappointed to see that this was a full frame transfer, and a lousy one at that! One of the biggest thrills of this movie was its wide open vistas of the Mississippi River and the wonderful cinematography. This DVD release from MGM/UA is grainy, dark and at times fuzzy. The sound is terrible too, and it was terrific on the laser disc in 5.1 surround. You're missing the wonderful, detailed orchestrations by John Williams of the tuneful Sherman Brothers score. I would only recommend this DVD to you if you HAVE to own a copy of it, even a bad one. I suppose it's better than nothing at all. But not by much.
My hope is now that Fox owns the MGM/UA library they will properly restore and release this movie, with a remastered soundtrack and interviews with Whitaker, Foster and East. It was a hit, back in the day. Nominated for 3 Oscars, a favorite from my childhood, and I'd like to see it given the treatment it richly deserves.
Tom Sawyer May 22, 2008
Definitely not as described. No refund. No contact from the seller. DO NOT trust this item's description!
 Take a Gander as Tom Sawyer Sings May 6, 2008
I hadn't heard of this 1973 movie version of the classic Mark Twain story until recently, but I absolutely had to see it. After all, it had music by the Sherman Brothers (best known for their work in Mary Poppins). And I love a good musical.
The book stays very true to the novel. Tom Sawyer (Johnny Whitaker) is a young boy growing up in 1840's Hannibal, Missouri. An orphan, he's being raised by his Aunt Polly (Celeste Holm). And he is quite the handful. He regularly plays hooky to fish and swim with best pal Huckleberry Finn (Jeff East). He constantly lies to get out of trouble, too.
Through this movie, we watch as Tom struggles with his conscience after witnessing a murder in the cemetery. He tricks the boys in town to white washing the fence for him. And he develops a crush on new girl Becky Thatcher (a young Jodie Foster). But will Injun Joe (Kunu Hank) get his sworn revenge on the boy?
This movie is extremely faithful to the book, hitting all the highlights of the classic. Frankly, that was a problem for me since it took a little while to get going. Once I got into the story, I was hooked and really began to enjoy the tale. The scenery and costumes recreate the times well. And the acting was pretty good.
Unfortunately, I found the songs disappointing. They weren't bad, but they weren't good either. They aren't especially memorable or singable, and they don't really advance the story. I would rather rewatch this movie for the characters and adventures then the songs.
Despite that rather major flaw for a musical, I must admit to enjoying it. It has a sweetness and innocence that I enjoyed. And the songs are easy to overlook since they aren't a major part of the movie. So if you are looking for a fun version of the classic tale, you can do much worse than this one.
 Tom Sawyer review December 28, 2007
Great movie.
Just as I remembered it...my kids loved it, even in this day and age.
Came quickly and was a brand new movie.
Enjoy!
Returning to Arrow Rock, MO August 23, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This summer we revised Arrow Rock, Missouri where this film was made.
Johnny Whitaker and Celest Holme were there also. Seeing the area and the "stars" prompted me to order the film. There were so many places that
were recognized in the film that are still in existence in Arrow Rock today.
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