Swiss Family Robinson

1940

Adventure / Drama / Family

3
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Rotten 32% · 1 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Spilled 32% · 50 ratings
IMDb Rating 6.3/10 10 907 907

island based on novel or book shipwreck 18th century swiss family robinson

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Plot summary

A family setting out for a new life across the sea is shipwrecked on a deserted island. The family members collaborate to create a home for themselves in the jungle environment.

Director

Edward Ludwig Photo
Edward Ludwig

Top cast

Thomas Mitchell Photo
Thomas Mitchell as William Robinson
Tim Holt Photo
Tim Holt as Fritz Robinson
Orson Welles Photo
Orson Welles as Opening Narrator
Terry Kilburn Photo
Terry Kilburn as Ernest Robinson
480p.DVD
827.75 MB
640*480
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 33 min
Seeds 28

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by eburkesi 7 / 10

Oscar-nominated special effects and a good cast...

One of fourteen films from 1940 nominated for a best special effects Academy Award, Swiss Family Robinson captures the great moment from the Wyss novel were the family escapes a crippled ship, rowing a makeshift raft to a nearby island, while cows, pigs and other livestock swim along side them.For its time, this is a successful mix of multiple effects techniques: a miniature raft (with stick-figure people) in a studio tank ocean; in the background a miniature ship lodged against rocks; puppet animals bobbing in the water, heading to a matte painting tropical island. The rear-screen work and cross-cutting to a live-action section of ship make for an exciting scene.Later in the film, as huge trees topple in a thunderstorm, one recalls how effective these b&w FX scenes can be - - even though to modern eyes the illusions are obvious.The film has heart and captures the spirit of the book but cannot compare with the entertainment and fun of Disney's version of 1960. The sparse thrills include Kilburn's ride on an ostrich and his encounter with cave spiders.Thomas Mitchell as the father acts with conviction, and the brothers are well-cast.For years, this film was as lost as the Robinsons...kudos to Disney Plus for allowing a modern generation to discover its charms.
Reviewed by cnevel 6 / 10

Definitely a children's movie!

I had never before seen any version of this film, nor have I read the book.My mother tells me that she first saw this film when she was 10 (1946) and simply loved it. She hadn't seen it since.In the 70's she wondered what had become of this film and wrote to Frazier Thomas, host of "Family Classics", in Chicago.His response stated that Walt Disney purchased this film when his 1960 version came out and locked it away never to be seen again.She recently mentioned it again so I looked it up, and to my surprise, found it. Swiss family Robinson is a good 1940 children's film. But that is all!Thomas Mitchells acting is as good as always, and the boys did a good job acting like wealthy brats reformed by their ordeal.Did anybody notice that the youngest boy, Francis Robinson, played by Baby Bobbie Quillan, was a girl? I didn't.I think Edna Best could have done better as Elizabeth Robinson. Her acting was stiff and boring, though it may not have been entirely her fault, this is a 1940 film set in 1820.The story is ridiculous, most children's stories are, and there's too much religion for me, but I can look past these points.The special effects are dated but are reasonable for their day.This film is obviously a low budget production. It needs a good disaster scene when the captain and crew are washed overboard and more adventure on the island.If you are into nostalgia take a look.
Reviewed by r96sk 7 / 10

Entertaining flick from 1940

I thought I'd give this a watch before watching the Disney remake, given they are both on the latter's streaming service. I like 1940's 'Swiss Family Robinson', though there are many ways it could be improved upon which is what I hope the 1960 production does.This one, made by RKO Pictures, is enjoyable. The action sequences look decent enough, the acting is solid while the premise is very intriguing. I rate the film almost from start-to-finish, the moments which make up that last part disappoints unfortunately - the ending doesn't really make sense.Thomas Mitchell (William) and Freddie Bartholomew (Jack) are my standout characters, both of those two give good performances. Edna Best & Co. are all fine, though. It's with Best's character that makes the finale poor in my eyes. I won't spoil what happens, but it doesn't work in my opinion - especially in connection with what else occurs.Those criticisms of mine stop me from placing this higher. However, it is still an entertaining flick from 1940.
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