"Huckleberry Finn" from 1974 produced by Reader's Digest is a sort of sequel to 1973's "Tom Sawyer" produced by the same people. Both films are very good and in my opinion the best film adaptations that I've seen. I am glad that they were made and they still hold up and are worth watching. I think both of Twain's stories do an important job of showcasing a time and place in American history, and his stories now themselves hold an important place in American history and culture. So, I am glad that these perhaps improbable film projects (by Reader's Digest of all things?!) were made.
"Tom Sawyer" is probably a better overall film and story, with a little better flow and pace, however "Huckleberry Finn" is still good, especially so due to its able taking on of mature themes such as slavery. There are a few slow and silly parts but it is forgivable as the film overall takes one on the rafting adventure along with Huck. The 1960 film "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" is also good (especially Tony Randall) but it has more of an old Hollywood studio feel half of the time whereas the 1974 film is shot on real locations and has a more tangible feel.
I largely forget the novel "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" as it has been so long since I read it but I recall it have lots of tough language and dialect. I am glad that the 1974 film largely removes that factor. Twain purists may disapprove, but slight sanitation does improve the story in my opinion. So, overall I am glad that I finally watched this entire film as I had seen part of it on television years ago but I couldn't remember the exact title or year and I actually had trouble finding the film again until later searching on IMDB (thanks IMDB).
Obviously, this film did make an impression on me as I remembered it years later, that often is the best way of telling which movies are impactful -- do you remember them (in a positive way). Overall, I don't mean to oversell this film, its not perfect, but it is good and worthy of still being watched today, as is the 1973 "Tom Sawyer" film. I rated both 8/10.
