Powerful

Highly Overrated But Still Good

To all those who have watched it: I hope you enjoyed it as much as I do.

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

1960. Panavision. Harry Waxman. We need to talk about the cinematography in this film, because OH MY! The shot composition, the lighting, the movement, I could go on! It's a visually stunning masterpiece - not even talking about the story! Which is also fantastic. Treat yourself and watch a fun family adventure that just happens to be eye candy!

There are some films made for children (or, more correctly, featuring children) that have lasted and retain their appeal, such as 'Whistle Down the Wind' or 'The Railway Children'. The 1960 production 'Swiss Family Robinson' was pitched at eight year olds then but is unlikely to satisfy a modern-day eight-year-old. Certainly it should be avoided by any 1960-era eight year old (now 60 year old) tempted to believe the charm can be conjured a second time. In the hands of an imaginative director, the story has elements that might have been made into something lasting. Nothing about this production, however, suggests those involved felt conviction for what they are doing. It looks, sadly, like a cash register in celluloid.

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". Things are happening constantly. Including the most annoying soundtrack I can ever recall. With peculiar incidental music that accompanies absolutely every tiny thing that happens along the way. Constantly.What I found most disturbing, by today's standards, was the many examples of animal cruelty in the film. Including a tiger being harassed by 2 great dane dogs (potentially lethal for the dogs and distressing for the tiger), riding an ostrich and a zebra trapped in mud. All done with real performing animals.Couldn't be rated as a true old classic in my opinion. Probably only thought of fondly by people who saw it when they were young.

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. Having no means of escaping the island they set about making a new life in the hope that help will one day come sailing past. 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. With a story of this type, sourced from the popular novel by Johann Wyss, it would have been an easy mistake to make, but with one tiny moment of treacle aside, it's funny, intelligent and up there for all the family to enjoy. 7/10