Life on the Mississippi
Synopsis
Most mid-19th-century Mississippi River boys dreamed of occupying that pinnacle of power and glamour, the pilot house of a riverboat. In a riot of local color, this film tells how, unlike many, Sam's dream comes true. A callow teenager, he talks the tough but consummate Horace Bixby into making him his apprentice on the "Paul Jones," eventually following him to the much finer "Aleck Scott." Meanwhile, he is already spinning fantastic yarns to everyone from awe-struck lads ashore, to fellow "cub pilots", to young lady passengers who catch his eye. Things temporarily take a turn for the worse when Bixby must attend a meeting and leave Sam to work under Brown, a dour tyrant with a grudge against him.
Top Cast
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Release History & Theatrical Window
November 24, 1980
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Peter H. Hunt
- Screenplay & Story
- Philip H. Reisman Jr.
- Original Title
- Life on the Mississippi
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 55m
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Peter H. Hunt
Philip H. Reisman Jr., Mark Twain
Department Leadership Roster
Peter H. Hunt
Director
Philip H. Reisman Jr.
Screenplay
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Life on the Mississippi.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Life on the Mississippi
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Life on the Mississippi about?
Most mid-19th-century Mississippi River boys dreamed of occupying that pinnacle of power and glamour, the pilot house of a riverboat. In a riot of local color, this film tells how, unlike many, Sam's dream comes true. A callow teenager, he talks the tough but consummate Horace Bixby into making him his apprentice on the "Paul Jones," eventually following him to the much finer "Aleck Scott." Meanwhile, he is already spinning fantastic yarns to everyone from awe-struck lads ashore, to fellow "cub pilots", to young lady passengers who catch his eye. Things temporarily take a turn for the worse when Bixby must attend a meeting and leave Sam to work under Brown, a dour tyrant with a grudge against him.
Who directed Life on the Mississippi?
Life on the Mississippi was directed by Peter H. Hunt.
Who stars in Life on the Mississippi?
The principal cast of Life on the Mississippi includes Robert Lansing, David Knell, James Keane, Donald Madden, John Pankow.
When was Life on the Mississippi released and how long is it?
Life on the Mississippi was released in 1980 with a total runtime of 1h 55m.
Is Life on the Mississippi based on a book or true story?
Life on the Mississippi is adapted from the following source material: Book: "Mark Twain".