Shipwrecked

**Shipwrecked** is a 1991 film. It was produced by Walt Disney Pictures and AB Svensk Filmindustri, and distributed by Buena Vista Pictures. The film was written by O. V. Falck-Ytter, Nils Gaup, Bob Foss, Greg Dinner and Nick Thiel, and released on March 1, 1991.

## Plot

Haakon Haakonsen, a young Norwegian boy in the 1850s, becomes the sole support of his family as a cabin boy on a ship after his father is injured. Jens, a family friend and a fellow shipmate of Haakon's father, becomes an older brother to Haakon on their voyage.

At first, Haakon has a difficult time adjusting to life at sea, but eventually earns the respect of his shipmates. After shore-leave in London, a British naval officer, supposedly known as Howell, joins the crew ostensibly to provide protection from pirates. Haakon learns that Howell has secretly brought guns onto the ship, and Howell attempts to persuade Haakon not to say anything about the guns to the captain.

After the mysterious death of the admired captain (who had been poisoned by Howell's first mate), Howell assumes command. Upon arriving in Sydney, shore-leave is abruptly cancelled and a suspicious new batch of sailors come on board. After departing Australia, Haakon discovers a stowaway named Mary who turns into a love interest. Work on board ship soon becomes terrible for Haakon, Jens, and the original sailors, which intensifies when the new captain finds Mary and demands whomever has been fraternizing with her to show his face. Haakon admits responsibility, and the captain sentences him to be lashed with the cat o'nine tails. Jens protests, saying that whipping Haakon would be an effective death penalty, to which Howell orders that Jens will administer the punishment to Haakon instead of Howell. However, the court martial is interrupted by a terrible storm that damages the mainmast, then sinks the ship. Haakon manages to rescue Mary from the brig but in the confusion is separated from the crew and wakes alone up on a deserted tropical island.

After searching the island, Haakon discovers treasure as well as wanted posters for an English pirate named Merrick, who looks identical to Howell. (In the first scene of the film, the real Howell was murdered by Merrick, who then stole the identity as a doppelganger). Haakon discovers that the suspicious shipmates (i.e. the new batch of abusive shipmates who were brought on after Merrick's captaincy) are really pirates, who stored the treasure during a hot pursuit from naval forces, and will soon return to the island to extract their loot.

Following a self-training with a sword and gun, Haakon manages to use a horn when a gorilla attacks. This makes the gorilla docile, who then starts to befriend Haakon, behaving like a pet. Haakon devises a set of booby traps anticipating that the pirates will soon return for their treasure. Although Haakon adjusts to the island, he misses Jens, and more so his family back in Norway. One day, Haakon sees smoke from a distant island and tries various attempts to get there on a raft of his own.

Upon successfully arriving there, he finds a village of natives doing a night dance. Haakon encounters Mary in the middle of an altercation with several of the natives. Misinterpreting the situation, Haakon reveals himself and frightens the natives with a gunshot until he backs into Jens, who explains that the natives are peaceful and saved his and Mary's lives. The reunited trio happily depart for Haakon's island the next day.

Shortly thereafter, the three friends witness the arrival of the pirates along with Berg and Steine, two of Jens' friends who survived the sinking ship and are being held prisoner. After Haakon's traps fail to work, he quickly devises a plan to save their friends. At night, Mary sneaks aboard the ship and frees the remaining crew who manage to overpower their pirate guards and retake the ship. Meanwhile, on land, Haakon and Jens manage to distract the pirates long enough to free Berg and Steine and narrowly make it back to the ship, stranding the pirates on the island. Haakon, Jens, Mary and the liberated crew return to their native Norway. Each man keeps a small share of the treasure, with Haakon deciding to use his share to help his impoverished family.

Back home in Norway, Haakon reunites with his family and introduces them to Mary. His parents agree to take her in until she can re-establish contact with her own relatives.

## Cast and Characters

* Stian Smestad as Haakon Haakonson
* Gabriel Byrne as Lt. John Merrick
* Trond Peter Stamsø Munch as Jens
* Louisa Milwood-Haigh as Mary
* Knut Walle as Berg
* Harald Brenna as Steine

## Production

The original 1873 Norwegian novel, aimed at young readers, was inspired by another adventure classic, Daniel Defoe's 1719 novel Robinson Crusoe.

The film was shot on location in Fiji, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom in July to October 1989.

In the original version of the film, the Norwegian characters speaks Norwegian to each other and English to English characters, while the English characters speaks English only. In the international version, all lines in Norwegian are dubbed over in English, in most cases by the Norwegian actors themselves.

## Reception

The film has received favourable reviews as a well-made adventure for families.

## Awards and Nominations

 Best Young Actor Starring in a Motion Picture
 Best Young Actress Co-starring in a Motion Picture