Les aventuriers du fleuve

Mississippi River rafting with Eddie Hodges (as Huck) and Archie Moore (as Jim) impersonating Mark Twain's pair of runaway drifters. Despite the obvious attempt to be a classy production, with a well-intentioned assemblage of cast and crew, this version sinks like a pebble (if not a stone). It's overcast and miscast, but occasionally satisfying. Lucky young Hodges, who sang with Frank Sinatra, has a great scene with Andy Devine and Buster Keaton. Apparently, 20th century filmmakers were too shy to truly transfer all "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" to film. What they hinted at (or left out completely) can be found by reading the book - or, if you're lazy, listen to a vocal version of "Moon River". We're after the same rainbow's end.

***** The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (6/17/60) Michael Curtiz ~ Eddie Hodges, Archie Moore, Tony Randall

Adaptation-wise, die-hard fans of the book will find plenty of fault. On its own this film is not bad at all, actually from this viewer's perspective it was decent. Of the 5 Huckleberry Finn adaptations on film that I've seen it is around the middle, with the 1938 Mickey Rooney film being the best and the 1975 Ron Howard film(the only one of the 5 that was anywhere close to bad) being the worst. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn(1970) could have been better. Eddie Hodges was a little weak and somewhat too prim for Huck and while there are some tense, heart-warming and moving moments the storytelling could have been much stronger. The additions and some omissions didn't always make the narrative cohesive(for example much more could have been done with the ending)- though the Ron Howard does a much worse job at this- and because the grimmer parts of the book are trimmed down or diluted there are times, not always mind, where things did come across as a little on the "cute" side. The adaptation is beautifully filmed though with evocative and quite charming locations and river settings(where the photography was at its most striking). The music score is rousing, foreboding and poignant at all the times it's called for and it is placed appropriately, while the scripting is colourful and generally makes an effort to capture the spirit of Mark Twain's own writing and while not all the storytelling is as good as it could've been it is difficult not to be moved by Jim's talking of his deaf child(something that anybody would identify with). The acting is good generally. Archie Moore is just great and very dignified as Jim(his chemistry with Hodges just about convinces), while Neville Brand is a brutish Pap, Mickey Shaughnessy is appropriately oafish with an ability to be menacing and humorous and Tony Randall's King is superbly conniving. Buster Keaton and Andy Devine also make lively appearances in one of the more delightful and chemistry-strong scenes of the film. All in all, a decent film but "purists" may want to look elsewhere. 7/10 Bethany Cox

It's the Mark Twain classic. Huckleberry Finn fakes his own death to escape his abusive father. He travels down the Mississippi River with fellow runaway, a slave named Jim. They form a strong bond and encounter various people including two con men. I've never read the book. Somehow, I escaped it in school. I do know the broad strokes. The movie has a bit of cursing and I counted one n* word. There could be more but it's not quite the book. I can't talk to the faithfulness of the adaptation. The story is much more fitting for a mini-series with its episodic nature. The kid is pretty good. He has the rambunctiousness. Jim needs a bigger performer. It's easier to dial it down than it is to dial it up. All in all, their friendship is what sells the movie and the story. They do well in that aspect and thereby makes this movie work.

This Huckleberry Finn was well directed by Michael Curtiz and boasts a good cast , such as Tony Randall , Eddie Hodges , Archie Moore , Buster Keaton , Neville Brand , Finlay Currie and several others . Resulting to be an attractive and fun attempt at adapting an American favorite written by Mark Twain . An amusing retelling of the Mark Twain tale about the adventures encountered by Huckleberry Finn (Eddie Hodges) when escapes from the widow Douglas (Josephine Hutchinson) and along with the runaway slave (Archie Moore) wanted for reward , they travel down the muddy Mississipi river , as they take a risked raft . While working on life for his unsentimental education , as a deep friendship emerges and getting into all sorts of adventures and suffering hard times in pre-civil war . Along the way , they meet a peculiar duo of swindlers , two con actors nicknamed Duke (Mickey Shaughnessy) and King of France (Tony Randal) posing as two wealthy heirs of a deceased brother , then things begin to liven up . The most exciting adventures a boy ever had ! . Hilarious escapades, hair-raising adventures on the fabulous Mississippi!

This is a wonderful world of excitement with silly messes , emotion , hilarious scenes and amusement for the entire family . Top-notch cast makes this an entertaining version , giving splendid interpretations . Eddie Hodges provides a nice performance as the resourceful and cheeky artful dodger . Hodges and Archie Moore create a sensitive and charming couple , both of whom set out in search for freedom and adventure. They're well accompanied by a great support cast , such as : Neville Brand , Tony Randal, Patty McCormack , Mickey Shaughnessy , John Carradine, Judy Canova , Andy Devine , Sherry Jackson , Royal Dano , Stanley Holloway, Buster Keaton , Finlay Currie , Josephine Hutchinson and brief appearance by Harry Dean Stanton in one of his first roles . The movie packs an enjoyable and thrilling musical score by Jerome Moross . And a colorful and brilliant cinematography by Ted Moore . The motion picture was efficiently but unexceptionally directed by Michael Curtiz , and being inferior to subsequent 1993 rendition directed by Stephen Sommers and starred by Elijah Wood . Curtiz was a good writer , producer , director who has made a lot of successful films and various classics , such as : Robin Hood , Captain Blood , White Christmas , Yankee Doodle Dandy , Passage to Marseille , Jim Thorpe , Mildred Pierce , Sea Hawk and , of course, Casablanca.

This classic novel has got several renditions , such as : silent version 192o ; Adventures Huckleberry Finn 1939 by Richard Thorpe with Mickey Rooney , Rex Ingram , William Frawley , Walter Connolly ; Huckleberry Finn 1975 by Robert Totten with Ron Howard , Royal Dano , Antonio Fargas ; Huckleberry Finn 1975 by J Lee Thompson with Jeff East , Paul Winfield ; Huckleberry Finn 1978 by Jack Hively with Forrest Tucker , Larry Storch , Brock Peters ; Huckleberry Finn 1985 by Peter H Hunt with Sada Thompson , Lilian Gish , Barnard Hughes ; Huck and the king of hearts 1993 by Michael Keusch with Graham Greene , Leopardi , Dee Wallace Stone , Joe Piscopo ; The Adventures of Huck Finn 1993 by Stephen Sommers with Eljah Wood , Courtney B. Vance , Dana Ivey , Ron Perlman , Jason Robards , Robbie Coltrane and Adventures of Tom and Huck by Stephen Sommers with Joel Courtney and Jack Austin.

From the man who directed "Casablanca" and "Yankee Doodle Dandy" comes a colourful, humorous video version of Mark Twain's timeless novel. The casting is superb. It's hard to think of any other actors from the early 1960s in these roles, they are so well chosen. Especially impressive is pro boxer Archie Moore as Jim. His scene where he's talking about his deaf child is heart-wrenching, quite a feat for a cross over athlete. The child actor who plays Huck is very good as well. My honourable mention goes to Tony Randall and Mickey Shaughnessy who make a great comedy team as the King and the Duke. They are simply hilarious. Although many of Twain's adventures are deleted, most of the better known and interesting characters and scenes are included. Many of these characters are played by Hollywood legends like Sterling Holloway(the voice of Winnie the Pooh and Jiminy Cricket), Judy Canova, John Carradine, Neville Brand, and Buster Keaton. All in all, a highly recommended family film.