The dramatized life of immortal humorist Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, from his days as a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi River until his death in 1910 shortly aft... Read allThe dramatized life of immortal humorist Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, from his days as a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi River until his death in 1910 shortly after Halley's Comet returned.The dramatized life of immortal humorist Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, from his days as a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi River until his death in 1910 shortly after Halley's Comet returned.
- Nominated for 3 Oscars
- 3 nominations total
- Charles Langdon
- (as Bill Henry)
- Pickpocket
- (uncredited)
- Secretary
- (uncredited)
- Worried Buffalo Merchant
- (uncredited)
- Susie Clemens
- (uncredited)
- Elderly Woman
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe scene in which Clemens receives an honorary degree from Oxford University in 1907 was the re-creation of an event that C. Aubrey Smith, who plays the Oxford chancellor, actually witnessed.
- GoofsThe film first shows Mark Twain wearing his famous white suit as the author speaks to his wife Livy, while she is on her deathbed. Twain began wearing the suit only after he had finished mourning his wife's death, at which time he swore he would wear only white for the rest of his life. (Michael Shelden recounted this in the opening of his biography, "Mark Twain: Man in White -- The Grand Adventure of His Final Years.")
- Quotes
Mark Twain: Ladies and gentlemen, William Shakespeare, the greatest author in the English language is dead.....and I feel far from well myself.
- ConnectionsFeatures They Died with Their Boots On (1941)
As other commentators have noted, March is phenomenal in capturing the legendary Mark Twain. March is one of the greatest actors in American film history. His performance here is typically nuanced, capturing the dry wit of Twain with understated charisma, and also the pathos of the man in his private life. Brilliant!
Alexis Smith is wonderful, too. She had the ability to capture loving, devoted women with a realistic warmth that is never over-sentimental. Besides, she is very easy to look at. (At a similar age, Jody Foster bears an uncanny resemblance to Alexis Smith in this movie. The cameo could easily have been of Foster.)
The very personification of the Art of Exaggeration is Alan Hale, here portraying Steve Gillis, Twain's sidekick out west. Somehow in roles such as Gillis he is capable of the greatest of acting paradoxes - delivering exaggerated performances that NEVER seem overacted or hammy. His characters always appear natural, yet larger than life. Offhand it is difficult to think of another actor who accomplished this incredible balance. I would watch ANY movie in which Hale appears.
Likewise, comedies of this era seem to be able to strike that same balance - natural, yet larger than life. That is what sets them apart. Later films don't seem to be able to capture the same balance. In attempting to do so, actors just come across as hammy. The Art of Exaggeration in American film, got lost some time in the late 40's. What a shame. Movies like this are the quintessence of that fine art.
- krdement
- Oct 24, 2007
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Las aventuras de Mark Twain
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime2 hours 10 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1