Customer Reviews

Swiss Family Robinson

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I strongly reccommend! This has to be one of the most fun family films Walt Disney ever made. And the 2 disc DVD treatment that Disney gave this film is perfect. It is Widescreen first of all, maybe it is the first widescreen release outside of theatres ever done for the film. And what a diffenrence in makes in the beautiful island vistas of the film. The DVD transfer itself is well done, with lush colors, great image and depth, great sound, it just sparkles.

The movie was filmed on location on the tropical island of Tobago. While the production went way over budget, Walt did not get mad at the time since the film was worth it. Featuring loads of animals, comedy, action, suspense, pirates, and tropical scenery this was a hard adventure film to beat. And similar to the role the Nautilus filled in "20,000 Leagues Below the Sea", the treehouse becoems a star in it's own right. The invenetive home designed by the castaways from the ship salvage is incredible to behold. An audio commentary as an alternate track features comments from casr and crew.

The extras on this DVD are what really make it a treasure, and they are not all listed here at Amazon or even on the packaging. You have to hunt it down and get creative with your remote. So let me help by telling you what to look for if you buy this... For starters they have the original cartoon that was released with the movie, "Sea Salts" allowing you to see this with the kids the way that it is meant to be seen. There is a 2 minute "1960 Disney Studio Album", a montage of projects, attractions, shows, and films being made and released that year. Next we have 23 minutes from an old Walt Disney television episode titled "Escape to Paradise", that includes the parts of that episode that show the making of the film. Up next is original 1960 movie theatre trailers for the film, and 1960 televison spots. Then there are "Storyboard to Scene Comparisons"; a seperate "Storyboard Gallery"; and a 2 minute "Production Gallery" of photo stills from behind the scenes at location. Another gallery of production stills; "Biographies" on 8 principle actors; and "Concept Art" on the film design work.

A featurette titled "Adventure in the Making" was made just for this set, and at 49:00 minutes long it is very complete, with recent interviews of the original cast and crew. There is great behind the scenes footage in this piece, and the folks regale us with funny stories. Peter Elleshaw (matte artist), Ken Annakin (director), Danny Lee (special effects), and actors John Mills, Tommy Kirk, Kevin Corcoran are all here. ANOTHER short 4 minute featurette that was also made just for this set is "Swiss Family Treehouse" narrated by Hayley Mills, it is the pre-opening footage and the actual Opening Ceremony of the Swiss Family Robinson's Treehouse (now gone) at the Disneyland Park. Walt is really enjoying himself in this must see footage.

Included on the set is a very nice 12 minute interview with James MacArthur, who appeared in this film and 3 others for Disney along with a TV movie. This features great video as well. There is a "Pirates" music video of clips from Disney films, tv shows, cartoons, and the theme park to the tune of "Yo HO Yo HO A Pirates Life For Me". Another unusual feature has 20 minutes of excerpts from the 1940 non-disney version of the film.

The set has Audio Archives set to photos from the film, including 2 Interactive SOund Studios, 2 songs from the film, original 1960 radio spots, and the soundtrack of the original merchandise Storybook Album released on LP in 1960.

I really enjoyed this DVD, I wish all the really good classic Disney films got at least some of this kingly treatment. They are the best studio about protecting their old source material, archives, etc, and are in the best position to place intruiging extras with the movie. Thank YOU Disney for this compilation that really honors this gem of a film the way it should be!!!!

My oldest son, is 13 and has a fascination with wooden ships. I figured I'd order this movie for him as I loved it as a kid and knew it had a great section where they build an awesome treehouse using materials from the ship. He loves the movie too. He's going to take it to school for their Movie day and share it with the other kids.
We seem to think that kids these days wouldn't like an "old fashioned" movie like this, but I'm sure they'll love it too.

We got this so our children could see the movies we grew up with. We were not disappointed. The kids enjoyed watching it just as much as us.

This is an ideal movie for young children.My Grandchildren have watched it twice and found something new each time..I waould recommend it for those 4 and over.

Seen through my old eyes (48), I hardly smirked during this movie. But it was a favorite movie in my youth, as was the treehouse at Walt Disney World, Florida. However, I really enjoyed a special feature describing in detail how & where the movie was filmed. A swamp scene, in a real swamp, depicts the two older brothers wrestling, in torso deep water, a very large snake. The filming of this scene took a week & involved a real snake, a 21 foot, 240 pound anaconda. The actors & stuntmen really earned their pay that week! Other production scenes were equally enjoyable as were interviews of the director & actors.

A great story about a family who learns to survive on an island with love and working together. It touched my heart so much that it made me want to be shipped wreaked on an island.

Another great transaction with this seller! I will definitely deal again, and have no problem recommending this seller to anyone looking for a hard to find item and wanting great customer service.

I received a faulty disc that I ordered from Amazon.ca. There seemed to be a manufacturing flaw in the surface. Nonetheless, I'm glad I bought from Amazon themselves, as their return policy was great. They fully replaced the product for me. I was able to just reuse the box I bought it in, slap a label on it, and send it back. About the movie now, great classic movie. Full of action with lots of animals. The movie also permits the creative minds to imagine.

A family is shipwrecked on a seemingly uninhabited island. Using the remaining recourses of the wrecked ship they build an elaborate tree house. They have a really nice Christmas scene. Then the adventure begins.

This movie has a great family feel to it and I really liked the animal races; it is a classic Disney. Do not dwell on where all the animals came from. The pirate attack scene was suspenseful and gives new meaning to log off. You are kept wondering if, and how they will get out of the precarious situation.

Be sure to watch John Mills play a more serious role with his real daughter Hayley Mills in "The Chalk Garden" (1964).

You can't get much more wholesome than this. This film definitely has the Disney stamp all over it. The Swiss Family Robinson are on their way to New Guinea. Chased by pirates on the high seas, their ship runs up against a reef, and they find themselves shipwrecked by a deserted tropical island. They manage to get themselves and all their belongings and animals ashore, intact and none the worse for wear.

The mother, played by the lovely Dorothy McGuire, is always clean, perfectly groomed and coiffed. The father, played by the wonderful English actor, John Mills, is positively cheerful the entire film. Talk about optimism. His three sons, played by the hunky James MacArthur, the adorable Tommy Kirk, and the cute-as-a-button Kevin Corcoran, work tirelessly to make their new home into an island paradise.

In record time, they build a multi-level house to die for, high up in the trees. Somehow, they manage to get a pipe organ off the wrecked ship, ashore, and up into their multi-level tree house, so that they can sing Christmas Carols at the appropriate time. Kevin Corcoran even has a baby elephant for a pet, and they parade around their sculpted lawn which is surrounded by what appears to be a manicured, English country garden.

After a while, two of the boys set out on a home made sail boat to check the terrain around the island. They discover yet another casualty of the pirates' onslaught, delightfully played by Janet Munro. The two older boys are sweet on her, which causes a little fun loving tension. All is well, until the pirates come a-calling on the island, and all you know what breaks loose. Never fear. Rescue is on the way.

Who in their right mind, however, would ever want to be rescued from this magical island, where nothing can possibly go wrong, and everyone loves each other? Pure Disney fantasy, this film is a lot of fun to watch and, better yet, can be enjoyed by the whole family.