Swiss Family Robinson

Plot synopsis:
The novel opens with the family in the hold of a sailing ship, weathering a great storm. The ships' passengers evacuate without them, and William and Elizabeth and their four children (Fritz, Ernest, Jack and Francis) are left to survive alone. As the ship tosses about, the father - William - prays that God will spare them.
The ship survives the night and the family finds themselves within sight of a tropical desert island. The next morning, they decide to get to the island they can see beyond the reef. With much effort, they construct a vessel out of tubs. After they fill the tubs with food and ammunition and all other articles of value they can safely carry, they row toward the island. Two dogs from the ship named Turk and Juno swim beside them. The ship's cargo of livestock (including chickens, domestic ducks, domestic geese, and domestic pigeons), guns & powder, carpentry tools, books, a disassembled pinnace, and provisions have survived.
Upon reaching the island, the family set up a makeshift camp. The father knows that they must prepare for a long time on the island and his thoughts are as much on provisions for the future as for their immediate wants. William and his oldest son Fritz spend the next day exploring the island.
The family spends the next few days securing themselves against hunger. William and Fritz make several trips to the ship in their efforts to bring ashore everything useful from the vessel. The domesticated animals on the ship are towed back to the island. There is also a great store of firearms and ammunition, hammocks for sleeping, carpenter’s tools, lumber, cooking utensils, silverware, and dishes. Initially they construct a treehouse, but as time passes (and after Elizabeth is injured climbing the stairs down from it), they settle in a more permanent dwelling in part of a cave. Fritz rescues a young Englishwoman (Jenny Montrose) shipwrecked elsewhere on their island.
The book covers more than ten years. The father and older boys explore various environments and develop homes and gardens in various sites about the island. At the end, the father wonders if they will ever again see the rest of humanity. Eventually a British ship that is in search of Jenny Montrose anchors near the island and is discovered by the family. The captain is given the journal containing the story of their life on the island which is eventually published. Several members of the family choose to continue to live tranquilly on their island while several of them return to Europe with the British ship.

Tags: action

Review:
Beautiful scenery, great soundtrack music, and a hard-working cast add much to this compelling story of a shipwrecked family.
Great opening scene of foundering ship nearly stuck on a reef during violent storm...family quickly recognizes they will be on the island for the long haul and makes it an island paradise complete with a tree house that the Hilton hotel chain could rent out for big bucks.
How in the world did the Disney team transport all of the animals onto that small island for this wonderful film?
Tommy Kirk, Kevin Corcoran, who flew into Tobago days after finishing "Pollyanna" and James McArthur play splendid roles as the three sons who grow up physically and discover themselves as young men on the island.
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON is the ultimate family adventure film from Disney, photographed on the island of Tobago for some lush scenery and exotic settings.
Everyone's favorite fantasy is this sort of adventure whereby a shipwrecked family finds refuge on what appears to be a deserted island, only to find that they're not exactly alone.DOROTHY McGUIRE and JOHN MILLS play the parent roles (played originally by Thomas Mitchell and Edna Best in the B&W '40 version), and the kids are played with equal skill by Kevin Corcoran, Tommy Kirk and JAMES MacARTHUR, who excels as the oldest son.There's some rough going when the pirates invade, but it's all done in true Disney style and you know there's going to be a happy ending.Summing up: The kind of film the whole family can enjoy.
Excitement, adventure, far off exotic places, shipwrecks, pirates - all the ingredients for a thrilling recipe of family ties that bind (love), and respect for a father who protects and leads his family to battle the hostile elements of the outside world in order to survive.Tigers in pits, wild animals domesticated, outside fresh air away from all civilization, this is a movie for the whole family to watch together, preferably on a big screen at a theatre, where the producers designed to have it seen in the first place.This movie is fun, exciting and scary with pirate ships and uphill battles that make this one worth owning.I remember my Dad took me to see this film when I was 7 years old and the nostalgia of security of family rooted in a firm grounding and foundation of family tradition, for me made this film a memorable one for all time.
Amusing family fun in which a Swiss family formed by a father (John Mills) , mother (Dorothy McGuire) and children (James McArthur , Kevin Corcoran , Tommy Kirk) must survive being shipwrecked on a deserted tropical island .
Lots of adventure for family viewing , including an climatic as well as bemusing ending battle ; it was a direct influence on the final Ewok skirmish in ¨The return of the Jedi¨ , as George Lucas was a huge fan of the film .
Excellent , powerful cast with sympathetic protagonists , many of them Disney ordinaries such as Janet Munro , James MacArthur ; in fact , Dorothy McGuire, Tommy Kirk and Kevin Corcoran had previously played a family in Disney's Old yeller .
When many years after I first saw this movie, I first visited Disneyland in 1984, the first thing I wanted to see was the Swiss Family Treehouse exhibit.
John Mills and Dorothy McGuire play the parents and James McArthur, Tommy Kirk and Kevin Corcoran are their sons in the story of a family shipwrecked on a remote island with dangerous animals and the threat of bloodthirsty pirates in the waters.
The Swiss Family Robinson is one of the best family adventure films, and definitely one of Disney's finest family films.
Based on the Johan Wyss novel is the story of a British family shipwrecked during a storm, interuppting their migration to New Guinea.Not sure of how long they will be stranded or the whereabouts of the remaining crew (Disney ambiguously glosses over the issue of whether the crew is dead, but given the presence of sharks in the ocean and the tenacity of the storm the caused the wreck, I think it's safe assume they're night), they make the new island their home.
Any young kids would probably love this aspect of the movie, the thought of having the jungle where you get to play in the river and build one of the most gnarliest treehouses (oddly complete with many modern conveniences despite the lack of electricity, etc).
I would imagine that the actors who played the three brothers (Disney regulars, of course) had a lot of fun filming this movie.
(Note: They recreated the treehouse for a walk-through tour at the Orlando Walt Disney World theme park).But, as Mother Robinson (Dorothy MacGuire) suggests, their jungle abode should only be considered temporary, because they can't forget that they are the only ones on the island.
Being the typical maternal Disney character, she worries staying on the island provides no life and no opportunity for the three sons, Francis (MacArthur), Ernst (Kirk), and Francis (Corcoran), especially because there are no other girls there other than Mother.
But the boys and their father (Sir John Mills) are also aware that they must also question whether it is a good idea to stay there because the pirate ship that they keep seeing.
Who's scared of a little machette-weilding pirate, eh?This is a fantastic adventure film for younger children, though they may tend to get bored by some of the dreamy conversations between Mother and Father Robinson as they discuss their son's prospects and other concerns about the island.
There are plenty of dangerous wild animals, lack of food, and pirates come and a fantastic gun & sword battle erupts near the end of the film which is not too violent for a Disney film but is very exciting.
Filled with action, adventure and romance, this classic tale of a swiss family trying to escape the suppression of their native land and wind up ship wrecked on a tropical island, is nicely adapted on the big screen.
And yes, just as you think you were safe...that annoying kid who was in EVERY DISNEY MOVIE IMAGINABLE...pops up as the youngest (and whiniest) of the brood, Francis.
Disney compensated us with many slick plot twists involving: pirates, wild animals and a love interest for Fritz (chest boy) and his punier brother, Ernest.
We don't know the parents's names but Robinson and Francis do not sound swiss at all, they do sound like americanos or even British.As for the movie, I admit that at first I was doubtful about it, but it's a watchable family movie.
I mean, of all the live-action Disney films, I wouldn't say this is my favorite or one of my favorites, but it remains faithful to the traditional ones in many ways, even if it isn't as good as the best.Many people say this movie looks very dated, but I disagree.
"Popeye" is another perfect example of this: it came out 20 years after this and looks much more dated than this.The story of this is a kind of story very familiar in numerous adventure films, taking place in a desert island after a ship sinking or getting stuck on rocks (in this case, it gets stuck on rocks).
And yet, the final battle with them is one of the movie's most hilarious moments, especially when little Francis Robinson throws them coco-nut bombs.The cast features 3 familiar actors from "Old Yeller": Dorothy McGuire, Tommy Kirk and Kevin Corcoran.
John Mills and Dorothy McGuire as the parents, James MacArthur as Fritz, Tommy Kirk as Ernst and Kevin Corcoran as Francis.
He also loves animals and he has some great ideas, such as the tiger's trap and the coco-nut bombs.One of the movie's best things is its exotic sceneries and landscapes.
Embark on a family voyage with the "Swiss Family Robinson," the 1960 film from the happy mind of Walt Disney.
Based on a book by Johann David Wyss (which I read and found terrific as well as this movie version), this family (Are they really Swiss?) gets shipwrecked on an island in the ocean.
They do stuff like provide state-of-the-art survival (for the time), have fun, fight off pirates, and more!!!!!What I like about this film: My family loves it.
By far the most interesting element of the film is the antagonism between the two older brothers, each trying to win the affections of the teenage girl they take along in their adventures; it's the only part of the movie that provides some dramatic conflict.
The novel of Johann David Wyss concerning a Swiss Family who become shipwrecked on an island on the way to New Guinea has been done on the big and small screen all the way back to 1903.
As delicately as Walt Disney could put it about the facts of life.Later on the two older boys James MacArthur and Tommy Kirk have occasion to rescue Janet Munro who is in drag as a boy from those same Malay pirates who who waylaid the Robinson ship in the first place.
But a lot of people back in the day thought young Moochie was cute.Other than Kevin Corcoran, the movie holds up very well, it's still a fun family film for families other than the Robinsons..
John Mills was a fine actor, but in this he's a bit like a rocket engine attached to hot-air balloon in this.I'm a fan of old movies, but found this example to be a pretty poor one and not recommended for anyone interested in giving old classics a shot.It's certainly not short of budget or "adventure".
The producers of SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON appear to have taken the original novel by Johann Wyss, copied across the characters and the basic premise, and then get rid of it entirely in favour of a typically twee Disney-fied adventure.
That's the only explanation I can give for this extraordinarily dated would-be adventure yarn, which is colourful and exotic but a far cry from the contemporary Jules Verne adventure films like JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH or 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA.The problem with SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON is that it's so kiddie-centric.
Swiss Family Robinson was one of my favorites actually I loved all of his movies and shows.
On the whole it is a good classic Disney movie...it hearkens back to a time when Disney didn't totally screw things up (can we say Pocahontas?)...I'd recommend it, especially for young boys..
I accepted this point as another ship wreck, the same way they did and the other girl (love interest).This is a great movie and lots of fun for the WHOLE family to watch.
The story has the titular family washing up on a paradise island with the feel of this is what 'Lost' would be if Disney had made it in the 60's.
They learn to adapt to life on the island and start enjoying it...then the pirates return.John Mills and Dorothy McGuire are good and strong as the parents.
Being a Disney film they all look perfect, they all get along, McGuire always has perfect makeup on and they build the most elaborate tree house I've ever seen.
Walt Disney's "Swiss Family Robinson" - resourceful father John Mills, seamstress mother Dorothy McGuire, cute Tommy Kirk (as Ernst), dreamy James MacArthur (as Fritz), and irritable Kevin Corcoran (as Francis) - are shipwrecked after a pirate attack.
The heart of the story has the older sons leaving the homestead to rescue pretty Janet Munro (as Roberta), disguised as a boy, from pirate Sessue Hayakawa (as Kuala).Director of photography Harry Waxman, production designer John Howell, and their crew are award-worthy.Mr. Kirk and Mr. MacArthur play their arousal well, going from brothers discussing girls, to rivals for Ms. Munro's attentions.
In a fun scene, they strip to their waists (Disney wasn't able airbrush out male nipples or navels, apparently) and encourage Munro to do the same; when her hat falls off, they realize she's "a girl!" The most ludicrous scene involves Ms. McGuire being introduced to the extraordinary tree house architected by Mr. Mills; acting like she hadn't noticed it before, she complains about the curtains.******* Swiss Family Robinson (12/10/60) Ken Annakin ~ James MacArthur, Tommy Kirk, John Mills, Janet Munro.
Seeing as it`s Easter the Tv companies in Britain have been showing several Disney films of which SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON is one .
There`s the threat of pirates throughout the movie but they don`t appear towards the end so we`re treated to superflous scenes of the family building tree houses etc .
It`s not often that I see a film where a child is in danger from a tiger and I found myself cheering for the tiger It`s not the worst Disney movie I`ve ever seen , it does star John Mills who always give a good performance and it probably done pretty well at the box office at least compared to recent Disney mega-flops like THE LADYKILLERS and THE ALAMO.
John Mills seems a bit old for the part, but nonetheless does a good job, and Dorothy McGuire sits through most of the film(!) Great father/son film!!
But I have always loved this film, and at 17 years old I still think it is an absolutely delightful Disney film and perfect for the whole family.
Personally, I think not, then again I love Disney so much I cannot choose though I will say Beauty and the Beast especially has been the one that has always captivated me.Swiss Family Robinson is nothing short of excellent.
Appealing performances from James McArthur, Tommy Kirk and Kevin Cocoran help too and Sessue Hayakawa makes an imposing and menacing Pirate Chief, in fact while very attractive Janet Munro is the only one who doesn't quite convince as Roberta, but everything else is so good I am willing to overlook.
One of the best Live Action Walt Disney Pictures ever made, a very interesting story, fun, exciting; Good actors and a fantastic plot..
Great Disney Adventure Movie!.
With a super cast, led by British Actor John Mills, "Swiss Family Robinson" (SFR) remains a solid, entertaining film for all ages!
Colorful Disney adaptation of the Johann David Wyss novel about a family who find themselves shipwrecked and stranded on a deserted island.
Now if you're watching "The Blue Lagoon" the fantasy of what you do on a deserted island is something completely different, but when it's a Disney movie about family stranded on a deserted island, you're going have have pirates, funny animals providing comic relieve, and general wholesome family fun.
"Swiss Family Robinson" is a fun lightweight film for kids that enchanted my own children and was still fun for me to watch as an adult..
Father Robinson (John Mills), mother (Dorothy McGuire), and their sons Fritz, Ernst, and little Francis are alone on the ship.
Swiss Family Robinson is a good movie with a well written storyline and a good cast.The film has certainly aged but it still holds up pretty well as a family film,it has a lot of fun adventure,however there is little to no humour in this.My biggest problem with this movie was for a long period they started focusing on Fritz and Ernst Robinson,which I didn't like because they just weren't very professional actors and I didn't find their characters as likable as Father and Mother Robinson,although it was of course a good decision to go beyond the island.Its not an outstanding piece of filmmaking,but Swiss Family Robinson is enjoyable and I would recommend it as an easy to watch family film.After a family get shipwrecked on a tropical island they begin to live an idyllic life,until a group of pirates show up.Best Performance: John Mills Worst Performance: Tommy Kirk.
Disney adaptation of the famous novel has a family stranded on a lush, tropical island and fighting off evil pirates.
Swiss Family Robinson is definitely slow, but there is something endearing about this film.
The family Robinson are sailing their way to New Guinea, but as a storm rages and they are attacked by pirates, they wind up shipwrecked on a deserted tropical island.
However, as adventurous as it at first seems to be, peril and pirates are never too far away!Full of Disney's live action touches, Swiss Family Robinson triumphs as an entertaining adventure because it avoids heavy leanings towards sentiment.
It was a treat seeing it again on TCM 57 years later, and I think it's -- perhaps -- the best Disney film ever made.
The rivalry between Fritz (James MacArthur) and Ernst (Tommy Kirk) who both want the girl, Roberta (Janet Munro)is funny and good.
The 2-Disc DVD is a must have for any fan of "Swiss Family Robinson", It has all kind of features and making videos with the cast and crew..
The only passengers remaining on board the crippled vessel are a Swiss family who have been fleeing from possible entanglement in war due to the dealings of Neopoleon.There are a father (Sir John Mills), a mother (Dorothy McGuire) and three boys, Fritz (James MacArthur), Ernst (Tommy Kirk) and little Francis (Kevin Corcoran).
Although Mother believes a ship will come along any time and rescue them from the island, Father feels its best to avoid trying to use fire or any means of getting attention lest the pirates that attacked them before should return to finish the job.Slowly, the family begins to realize what a beautiful place God put them in, for whatever His reasons.
Swiss Family Robinson (1960): Dir: Ken Annakin / Cast: John Mills, Dorothy Maguire, James MacArthur, Tommy Kirk, Janet Munro: Entertaining adventure about family and perseverance.
Entertaining Disney adventure for families with a strong theme regarding oneness and making the best out of a bad situation.
Anyway, basically the Robinson family: Father (John Mills), Mother (Dorothy McGuire), Fritz (James MacArthur), Ernst (Tommy Kirk) and Francis (Kevin Corcoran) were going to New Guinea, but are shipwrecked on a tropical desert island.