...
With a steamboat belching smoke and billowing steam, whistle sounding, onlookers waving goodbye to their loved ones from shore, sweaty and greasy men at work in the engine room; Life On the Mississippi wastes no time in setting its place and time.

Into this scene comes a young lad named Sam (David Knell), daring to implore the pilot to "learn (him) the river". But Mr. Bixby (Robert Lansing), the pilot, has no desire to do so.

As Sam continues to press the point, the pilot's resolve wavers. He asks:

"Do you drink?"     Sam replies: "No"
"Do you gamble?"     Sam replies "No...but I . . .I could learn."
"Do you swear?" asks the pilot.     "Not for amusement, only under pressure" replies Sam.

The above exchange just hints at the subtle humor found in this video film, which I am sure is only a sampling of that found in the work it is based on.



Life On the Mississippi is a film adaptation (screenplay by Philip Relsma, Jr.) of Mark Twain's tale, of the same title, of his early days learning the job and working as a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River.

In this autobiographical story (though not acknowledged as such in the film) young Sam is not the best of students. Failing to recall ". . .any point or blaze..." that Pilot Bixby had mentioned, Sam soon learns that Mr. Bixby is a tough taskmaster indeed. For Bixby believes ". . .there is only one way to become a pilot and that is to learn this river by heart, to know it the way you know your ABCs."


Mr. Bixby soon proves his skill and daring by executing a dangerous river crossing, not wanting to waste time (or lose face to fellow pilots) by waiting for daylight. It is obvious that young Sam has a skillful mentor/teacher.

Sam and a fellow pilot-student enjoy a hard but good life on the steamboat. Competing for the attentions of a young, fair lady; learning the skills, values, and the instincts of a river pilot; being taught, through a practical joke, to not take himself too seriously; and learning, through a dreadful accident, the dangers of life as a steamboat pilot.


Life On the Mississippi captures the feel of the steamboat era on the Mississippi River in the middle of the nineteenth century. Gorgeous scenes captured by wonderful photography of a 'working' steamboat on the Mississippi almost place the viewer in the story. An original score, by William P. Perry, played by the St. Louis Louis Symphony Orchestra adds to the period 'feel' of the film.


Life On the Mississippi is also a 'coming of age' story of a young man faced with a task that seems impossible to master, especially under the scrutiny of men vastly superior in knowledge and skills. Young Sam eventually learns that he can indeed carry his own weight and the additional burden of responsibility for a steamboat and all the lives dependent on his skills and execution of his duties.


The Bottom Line
Life On the Mississippi, while dated and somewhat . . .'corny', still tells an interesting story in an entertaining manner. Instead of challenging students to read the original Life On the Mississippi by Mark Twain, I would guess many school literature classes have substituted a viewing of this film.

While perhaps entertaining, I would guess it is to the students' detriment that they may not read (even just a bit?) any of Twain's own words.



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Certified 'Lean-n-mean' review.


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Please feel free to read other reviews in pearannoyed's 'Then and Again' write-off. Fellow writers here are comparing ". . .works that are based on previous works."

In my case, this review/film is the 'Again' product. The 'Then' product will be a review of the original Mark Twain work Life On the Mississippi. As soon as I get it read and the review completed of course.


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"Just the facts, ma'am"

Title: Life On the Mississippi
Studio: PBS / Nebraska Public Television
Director: Peter H. Hunt
Original Story: Mark Twain aka Samuel Clemens
Screenplay: Philip Relsma, Jr.
Copyright: 1980
Video Release date: 1990 by MCA Home Video
Run time: 115 minutes
Ages recommended: pre-teen through adult



Reference sites:

http://www.steamboats.com/index.html
More than you would ever want to know about the history of steamboats.

http://docsouth.unc.edu/twainlife/twain.html
One online version of the complete text, this of the 1883 Edition of James R. Osgood and Company. Complete with illustrations, footnotes, etc.
 
 

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: None of the Above
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up to Age 4