Swiss Family Robinson (1960)

Colorful Disney adaptation of the Johann David Wyss novel about a family who find themselves shipwrecked and stranded on a deserted island. Starring John Mills and Dorothy McGuire, the film is a what-if type of situation that audiences can't help but wonder what you would do in the same situation. It's also brings thoughts for viewers who might fantasize about throwing aside the responsibilities of the world and start completely over. 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.

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. Viewers are stuck watching an annoying little brat racing around and shouting all the while. Apparently the viewers think this kind of behaviour is cute, but it really isn't. Half of the running time seems to consist of wild animals being trapped and abused for human pleasure; they're treated as circus objects throughout and I this didn't sit well with me at all. What about that poor baby elephant, taken away from its family and sitting around tied to a tree for most of the running time, all on the whim of a bratty kid? Elsewhere, there are so many goofs and unbelievable things happening that this plays out as an unintentional comedy (the bit where they build a water wheel with a few basic tools is a highlight). There's some late stage fun to be had with some Oriental pirate villains, and John Mills can be relied upon to deliver a solid performance, but as a whole? SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON isn't very good.

An absolutely stupid, corny story with terrible bad acting and the most annoying movie character ever (played by Kevin Cocoran). John Mills, a mediocre actor at best, was OK here as the father but that awful third-rate actress Dorothy Macguire was just terrible as his wife. Like most Disney crap, the whole thing is too Americanized. The "acting" by James Macarthur and Tommy Kirk is absolutely awful. Kirk was later fired from the Disney company for sexually abusing an underage boy. How he did not serve time in jail I do not know. Janet Munro sticks out like a sore thumb and the idea of this twenty-something woman with large breasts being mistaken for a young boy is absolutely stupid beyond belief. Thankfully this crap could never be made today, not least because of the way the animals are treated.0/10.

... With a super cast, led by British Actor John Mills, "Swiss Family Robinson" (SFR) remains a solid, entertaining film for all ages! And, of course, that famous Tree House is-a-star all-by-itself! Seeing it at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA. was a thrill every time. A believable script, the movie is well-paced and the musical score fits perfectly. Suitable for even younger children, it's not boring for adults! This was the Golden Years for Disney movie-making, starting in the 1950's. Even effective on TV, it's best viewed on the full-screen at your neighborhood theater. It's worth having SFR in your permanent collection-at-home. Tahnk-you for TCM in just airing it. Enjoy!