Roughing It

Mark Twain's Roughing It is a charming miniseries featuring vignettes from young Twain's life. Told in the perspective of a giant flashback as old Twain (played by James Garner) gives a commencement speech at his daughter's graduation. He mostly just narrates, though, and the rest of the three hours is given to young Twain (played by Robin Dunne.) Just as you would expect from any bit of Twain Americana, there are equal parts of sentimentality, hilarity, exaggeration, and adventure. In one scene, he carries on a poker game while the dwelling floods in a storm, so much so that the players are up to their elbows in water and the table nearly floats away. In another, he and his buddies believe they're going to freeze to death in the snow, so they say a little prayer and then say goodbye to each other. Adam Arkin's segment is particularly emotional, and Robin finally gets to show off his acting.

If you like these types of sagas, like Hemingway's Adventures of a Young Man, try out Mark Twain's version. Bruce Broughton's sentimental western music helps the scenes flow along together. There's nothing like a good western theme to make you feel immersed in the olden days. I ended up liking it better than I thought I would, since I had no idea it was going to focus on the younger cast and I was looking forward to Garner as the bushy-haired Twain. Surprisingly sweet, I'm looking forward to picking a copy of the book!

DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. About seven minutes before the end, young Twain staggers around and the camera tilts from his POV, and that will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"

Of the (usually 3 hour long) made-for-TV miniseries/movies released on DVD under the "Hallmark" imprint, this is the only one worth watching - and it is VERY worth watching.

Yes, it is overlong, and the faithful-adaptation approach to the source material loses inspiration toward the end. But on the whole this is humorous, touching, and as enigmatic in parts as Twain's original narrative. Twain came from a small town in a part of the country already proud of its traditionalism - he discovers the American West to be substantially a different planet, and we see this through his eyes - partly thanks to some marvelously cinematic camera-work.

Twain's character - among the greatest of the enigmas in the narrative - is also at issue, Was he cowardly lion? Brilliant poker player? Prospector kept from realizing dreams of wealth by pure dumb luck - or just dumbness? Or was he indeed one of the wisest of 19th Century writers, learning from experience and brave enough to present it 'warts and all'? Allowing the story to be about both Twain himself and the American West he discovered is the chief among many charms of this film.

Recommended.

Roughing it is a great movie about the interesting life of Mark Twain. It is extremely accurate and is well made. Roughing it is an entertaining made-for-TV movie. You will learn a great deal and will enjoy it while doing so. The very underrated writer of this film, Steven H.Berman was nominated for his brilliant screenplay by the Writers Guild of America. James Garner is great along with his all-star cast. Robin Dunne does his job well as a young Mark Twain, Adam Arkin delivers with his role as does Ned Beatty and the rest of the cast. If you have not seen this film I suggest to rent and or buy it as soon as possible, you won't regret it. 10 out of 10

Just awful compared to the novel. The only made a minimal effort to stick to storyline, style, or humor of book. Many excellent and subtle satire missing. Telling the story as a flashback never happened and was the wrong format. Avoiding the time consuming and pointless flash back would have allowed more of the actual story as written by twain to be told. Etc. Etc. Don't waste your time. If you need an electronic version of this book, listen to the Librovox version. You can get the librivox version at Librivox.com. Movie versions of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer give a much more authentic Mark Twain Experience. Also try reading Innocents abroad or listening to libivox to get the true Mark Twain Humor

While certainly not one of the great works of modern television, Roughing It isn't as bad as some people might lead one to believe. I must admit to not having read much Mark Twain and if you are looking for something which is completely faithful to one of his works Roughing It probably isn't for you.

I watched it with few expectations but generally like Twain's style and James Garner has never let me down before. The story was witty and lively enough to keep my interest and seemed to capture at least some of Twain's style. I gave it a 7 out of 10.