There is a lot to recommend;
Rooney has enough rascal to play Finn. Impish, savvy and street smarts is what one expects from Peck's Bad Boy.
Strong cast with an exacting performance by Minor Watson. The 2 sisters are adorable with the one so full of humanity regarding the ongoing antics of Huck.
This flic oozes with charm with a powerful dose of social conscience. Not a bad combo considerin'
I believe this is the first time I've seen a Huck Finn movie. I enjoyed it. It was lighthearted, entertaining, and easy to watch even though it touched on some very serious subjects like slavery, greed, murder, vigilantism, deception, theft, etc.
I was impressed with the way Jim is portrayed. Most black characters of that time were depicted as shiftless, worthless, and stupid. Though he's uneducated, which was the law, and is a slave, he is a thoughtful, reasonable, caring and good man who cares deeply for his family but would risk all to do the right thing.
By contrast, Huck's father is a horrible person of poor character. He neglects and abandons his son, belittles his education, holds him hostage, and is willing to sell him off; not only to be rid of him but also for financial gain.