HUCKLEBERRY FINN

US, 1974, 114 minutes, Colour.
Jeff East, Paul Winfield, Harvey Korman, David Wayne, Arthur O'Connell.
Directed by J. Lee Thompson.

A musical adaptation is considered a fresh way of presenting a popular story or well-known characters. Unfortunately, it does not always work, as with this film. The same company's 'Tom Sawyer' was quite entertaining with pleasant songs. This film not as good as the other and the Sherman Brothers’ songs are negligible, except for Roberta's introductory 'Freedom'. Maybe Huckleberry's adventures are not so enthralling as Tom's; Jeff East's Huck is not strongly attractive enough for the audience. And yet there is the river, the Black/White relationships, Paul Winfield as Jim and Harvey Korman (in 'Blazing Saddles' vein) with David Wayne as con-men. Average.


1. The importance of the fact that the film was based on a classic novel? The film’s approach to the novel? How much respect, how much adaptation to 20th century audiences? How much consciousness that this is an important piece of Americana? The film paralleling the classic status of the book?

2. The use of scope, colour, locations, the introduction of the Bongo, the musical backgrounds, dancing? How appropriate as additions to the original plot?

3. The importance of having a credible and attractive Huckleberry as the centre of the film? How well did the film present the character? As a credible boy of the river and the town? His strengths of character, weaknesses? The importance of his way of life with the widow Douglas? His lack of acceptance in polite society? His awkwardness in town ways? The importance of the encounter with his father? His father's hopelessness, drunkenness and greed? His father's death?

4. Huckleberry Finn seen as the wandering American of' the 119th, century? What did he symbolise about America of that century? His relationship with Jim and the racial question? Their sharing their fates together? journeying towards freedom? How attractive a character was Jim? How credible? Dialogue, song? The nature of their quest, adventure, difficulties and endurance?

5. The 19th century values of the film? Its tone of optimism despite all difficulties? Huckleberry Finn as a smart American type who achieves through difficulties, even con-man difficulties?

6. The importance of the episode with the feuding families, the drama and the comic aspects? Meaning for Huckleberry and for Jim?

7. How well did the film introduce the characters of the King and the Duke? Haw strong were their characters? Their stories about themselves? Their lack of coherence? Yet the fact that they impressed Huckleberry? Their being saved by Huck? Their planning for robbing people, including Huckleberry? Their evil despite their comic style?

8. The episodes of the execution of their plan? Their craftiness, the comedy with meeting the family? skill at deception? His invention in making up stories? Arousing suspicions? His desire to tell the truth?

9. The King and the Duke and their being exposed? The effect on each of them? Hostility and anxiety for revenge on Huck? Their meeting Huckleberry on the boat?

10. The sequences of Jim and Huckleberry trying to avoid the slave catcher? The film’s presentation of the slave issue and freedom? How telling?

11. The importance of the circus sequences? The comedy, the lion tamer?. the place for the showdown between the King and Huckleberry?

12. How satisfying was Jim’s escape? His telling Huckleberry the truth about the dead father7 Huckleberry's attraction by the boat and his desire to go to New Orleans? Each man's fulfilling his destiny?

13. How superfluous were the songs? How well were they integrated into the film?

14. How satisfying a piece of Americana? Presenting traditional American heritage and values?