Let's be realistic.

Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .

The movie is wonderful and true, an act of love in all its contradictions and complexity

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

Although it leaves important parts of the novel out -for budgetary reasons, I suppose-, what is in the film is all in the book, and to me it depicts the innocence and charm of Twain's children's world better than any other film adaptation has ever done. The Technicolor cinematography is absolutely fantastic, as well as the art direction. And the child actors are natural-born players, they are all perfect. And then we have dear old toothless Walter Brennan, one of my favourite American character actors and the first person ever to win three Academy Awards (1936, 1938 and 1940) as Muff Potter, the town drunk, a role he was born to play. David O'Selznick put the dollars in, and this film surely was a rehearsal for GWTW. And Norman Taurog, a director well experienced on working with children (Skippy, Huckleberry Finn, Boy's Town) at the helm. They made a film that will last forever.

You folks from the Chicago area will remember Frazier Thomas and his 'Family Classic' television program that ran for years on Friday night on WGN. My favorites were 'Robin Hood' and 'Tom Sawyer' from 1938. The movie is moving event that will take you down Memory. First love, raw fear, shame, murder, fun and pure joy is present in this wonderful retelling of Mark Twain's American classic. The story is set on the mighty Mississippi River in Hannibal, Missouri, circa 1850. The young boy playing the lead role is a very pleasant young fellow with plenty of charm and mischief to entertain the entire family. I have seen this film numerous times and I still love it. You will too.

This review is of the full 91 minute version. There's another one out that's about 77 minutes.I haven't read "Tomy Sawyer" since I was a kid (I'm in my 40s now) but this movie bought back a lot of good memories! Tom Sawyer (Tommy Kelly) is being bought up by his Aunt Polly (May Robson) along with cousin Mary and the vicious Sid (David Holt). Tom is constantly getting into trouble with his buddy Huckleberry Finn (Jackie Moran). In the course of the movie Tom falls for cute Becky Thatcher (Ann Gillis), runs away from home, witnesses a murder and it ends with him and Becky being chased by the killer. OK--this is far from perfect. Kelly was an unknown--and it shows. He's not good at all. Also the film is episodic...but so was the novel. There's also a young black kid here who comes across as an idiot and is treated pretty badly. I realize that's a sign of its time but it's uncomfortable to watch now. Still this is worth catching.The color is beautiful and the film moves very quickly. Kelly aside all the acting is good (Robson does wonders with her stereotypical role) and I was never bored. The very last bit with Sid and Aunt Polly was just perfect! It also bought back the book to me--I was remembering entire sequences I haven't read since I was a kid. This is also perfect viewing for the entire family. Well-made and worth catching. Try catching the full version.

I think ¡°The adventures of Tom Sawyer¡±I saw is an old old movie. And I ever thought that it must be a specific one for children. However£¬I found out the movie nowadays also has its own particular attraction. I still remember that Tom's aunt and half-brother Sid have not satisfied with him. But Tom is real a kind of clever boy. He can often get away with the punishment. In a brilliant scheme£¬Tom is able to con the neighborhood boy into completing the task for him. Besides£¬the episode which is full of children love is very interesting. Tom immediately falls in love with Becky at the first sight who is the Judge's daughter. He does everything just for winning her love even he asks for¡°get engaged¡±. Of course£¬it is arranged funny in the movie that he broke his relationship with Becky because he accidentally blusts that has been engaged before. Sometimes I can't help thinking about the fact how really mature Tom is. Also a romantic boy£¬right£¿Mentioned about honesty and courage£¬Tom indeed is a good example for all the children even for most of us¡ª¡ªadults. Because Tom and Huck are extremely scared that Injun Joe who is real the killer will attempts to seek revenge on them. According to Tom's sense of justice Tom decides to be the witness in the court. I think Tom does not want to burden the guilty consciences and then make up his mind to tell the truth to the town. Maybe most of us could not do that like Tom in the real situation . Therefore on the other hand£¬¡° The adventures of Tom Sawyer is for all the people including children and adults. In this sense, Tom is our good example in the modern society. Although our society is boomer than before, existence of conscience is more necessary than before. Guangxi University of Technology Foreign Language Department English Major Class022Qian Xiao (Rita)