WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Tom Sawyer
Genre:Musical

Reviewed In Issue 08 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Johnny Whitaker, Celeste Holm, Warren Oates, Jeff East, Jodie Foster.

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 2
Sound Rating: 3.5
Download WSR Review
Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
Internet Links

Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): MGM
(Catalog Number): ML101863
(MPAA Rating): G
(Retail Price): $34.98
(Running Time In Minutes): 104
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): No
(Theatrical Release): 1973
(LD Release Date): 03/01/94
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Don Taylor
(Screenplay/Written By): Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman
(Story): NA
(Music): John Williams
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Philip Jefferies
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor): Marion Bothman
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): Walter Bien
(Co-Producers): NA
(Producers): Arthur P. Jacobs

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 2.35:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 2.30:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
(Theatrical Sound): Mag Stereo
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital):
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
A Musical Adaptation of Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer is the first of two musical adaptations with screenplay and songs by the Mary Poppins team of Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman who are heard reminiscing along with director Don Tayor on the analog commentary track. The film plays off the better parts of the Mark Twain classic with homespun philosophy that takes place in the un-troubled days of yesteryear, and set to music with show stopping tunes and fascinating characters played by Celeste Holm as Aunt Polly, young Jodie Foster as Tom’s girl friend Becky, and Warren Oates as Muff Potter. Tom is played by Johnny Whitaker. Oscar® nominations went to art direction, scoring and costumes. In addition to the theatrical trailer, there is a production featurette and rehearsal with John Williams and the Shermans.

LaserDisc Picture:
The cropped 2.30:1 picture is marred by faded hues, unnatural flesh tones and poor shadow detail in some scenes, as well as noise artifacts.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The stereo soundtrack has subtle surround envelopment and a great music score by John Williams.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz):
(Aggressive System Surround):
(Intense 25Hz Bass):
(Deep Bass Challenging):
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield):
(Aggressive Split Surround):
(Center Back Surround Imaging):
(Directionalized Dialogue):
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
Collector Edition: