The Adventures of Huck Finn (1993)

69% of critics liked it
(13 reviews)
47% of users liked it
(19,965 ratings)

This eighth adaptation of the timeless Mark Twain novel casts Elijah Wood as Huckleberry Finn, the half-literate son of a drunk who runs away from home and follows the Mississippi River with an escaped slave named Jim (Courtney S. Vance). Along the way, the duo encounter adventures with colorful… More This eighth adaptation of the timeless Mark Twain novel casts Elijah Wood as Huckleberry Finn, the half-literate son of a drunk who runs away from home and follows the Mississippi River with an escaped slave named Jim (Courtney S. Vance). Along the way, the duo encounter adventures with colorful characters like The King (Jason Robards) and the Duke (Robbie Coltrane), two con men who impersonate British visitors in order to swindle two sisters out of their fortune, and Susan Wilks (Laura Bundy), the spunky 12-year-old girl who gives Huck his first kiss. Jim also re-educates Huck away from the racist views that he has grown up with. Not the most in-depth version of Twain's tale, The Adventures Of Huck Finn is a solid retelling of the classic story. ~ Don Kaye, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 48 min.
Directed By: Stephen Sommers
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Apr 2, 1993 Wide
On DVD: Jan 15, 2002

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, Variety
Writer-director Stephen Sommers has made a conventional literal film, in which the acting of the two leads never rises above the mediocre, thus failing to endow the tale with the stirring mood that it deserves.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
A really enjoyable film, and a loyal recreation of the literary classic
Rob Vaux, Flipside Movie Emporium
Twain's text defies all efforts to translate onto film. Without Huck's subjective narrative, the subtler points fall flat, leaving a drained and empty children's movie in its place.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Alice S

I remember liking this much more as a kid. Now, I just find the beginning and middle incredibly slow - especially the Wilkes brothers imbroglio. Perhaps my erstwhile liking of the whole is influenced by my absolute love for the lynch scene after Huck gets shot. Tears!
Conner R

One of my favorites when I was younger and it still holds up today. The landscape is beautiful and the acting is great. Elijah Wood gave an amazing performance as Huck Finn and completely embodied the character. Stephen Sommers made a fun and lovable story even more accessible.
Jason S

As it's based on one of my favorite books I watched this movie a lot when I was younger. It still holds up and has a cast that pulls off all the roles with ease.
Lady D

Even in the early Walt Disney adaptation of Mark Twain?s classic novel, Elijah Wood stands out to be a very worthy leading role. I have mixed feelings on this story, I understand the story depicts the timing and history of the tale, but as Walt Disney is aimed at kids, this may be… More
Even in the early Walt Disney adaptation of Mark Twain?s classic novel, Elijah Wood stands out to be a very worthy leading role. I have mixed feelings on this story, I understand the story depicts the timing and history of the tale, but as Walt Disney is aimed at kids, this may be a child?s first knowledge of slavery, I just wouldn?t want to be the one to have to explain it. I used to watch the series on television many years ago ? I hadn?t remembered the slave part and that really took the adventure out of how I'd remembered it.
Jennifer X

elijah wood is adorable!
Dannielle A

Brilliant! The acting is superb.
Sunil J

Faithful but still original and fun.

Read all 7 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Elijah Wood as Huckleberry Finn

            Courtney B. Vance as Jim

            Robbie Coltrane as The Duke

            Jason Robards as King

            Ron Perlman as Pap Finn

            Dana Ivey as Widow Douglas

            Anne Heche as Mary Jane Wilks

            James Gammon as Deputy Hines

            Paxton Whitehead as Harvey Wilks

            Tom Aldredge as Dr. Robinson

            Laura Bell Bundy as Susan Wilks

            Richard Anders as Colonel Grangerford

            Dion Anderson as Sheriff

            Curtis Armstrong as Country Jake

            Michael Cassidy as Bully

            Frances Conroy as Scrawny Shanty Lady

            Garette Ratliff Henson as Billy Grangerford

            Renée O'Connor as Julia Wilks

            Leon Russom as Shanty Lady's Husband

            Daniel Tamberelli as Ben Rodgers

            Alex Zuckerman as Joe Rodgers

            Gary Lee Davis as 1st Fighting Man

            Ben R. Scott as 2nd Fighting Man

            Mary Louise Wilson as Miss Watson

            Janet Shea as Mother Grangerford

            Mary Goldberg
            
            John Henry Scott as Abe Turner
See full cast