The Robinson family flees Switzerland for New Guinea to escape Napoleon's army in Europe. Father (John Mills) and Mother (Dorothy McGuire) are never referred to by name. Their children are Fritz (James MacArthur), Ernst (Tommy Kirk), and Francis (Kevin Corcoran). Robinson is not a Swiss name, and was used to allude to "Robinson Crusoe".
Their ship is wrecked in a storm, and the family is stranded on a lush idyllic island in the East Indies. They salvage some equipment and livestock, including a cow and her calf, a donkey (Lightning), chickens, geese, pigs, as well as their two dogs (Duke and Turk). Francis captures an elephant calf (Rocky), a monkey, and an ostrich (Clementine). He also has a close encounter with a tiger, but is saved by the dogs. Pirates are seen, but are scared away with a "black death" quarantine flag.
The Robinsons build an elaborate and luxurious treehouse with a retractable staircase, windows with curtains, running water, and a musical organ. Fritz and Ernst sail around the island searching for people and run into the pirates. They save a young girl Roberta (Janet Munro) and return home with her and a zebra (Duchess). Fritz and Ernst compete for the affections of Roberta.
Father: "What did I tell you? Anything we need, the island will produce it for us, even a girl."
Mother: "A girl. But we have three sons."
Then the pirates attack, led by Kuala (Sessue Hayakawa). The Robinsons are able to defend themselves at first, but soon are outnumbered. Fortunately, Roberta's grandfather Captain Moreland (Cecil Parker) arrives and destroys the pirate ship. In the end, Ernst leaves for university, and the rest of the family choose to remain on the island.
Father: "Don't you sometimes feel that this is the kind of life we were meant to live on this earth? Everything we need, everything, right here, right at our fingertips. You know, if only people could have all this and be satisfied, I don't think there'd be any real problems in the world."
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON is derived from Johann David Wyss' 1812 novel "Der Schweizerische Robinson", which he wrote for his four sons. His goal was to teach them about self-reliance as well as Christian and family values. In his book the Robinsons are en route to Port Jackson, Australia, there are no pirates, and the family eventually lives in a cave.
This Walt Disney production was filmed on location in Tobago. It is old fashioned in its outlook, dialogue, and manner. Wild animals are either threats to be killed or cute pets that are easily tamed. Viewers must suspend disbelief at how a zoo of animals from around the world came to co-exist on a tiny Pacific island.
With drama, comedy, excitement and adventure, SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON is great family entertainment. It is larger than life escapism, very much like taking a virtual tropical adventure vacation. Lowell S. Hawley wrote the screenplay. William Alwyn composed the music and Ken Annakin directed.
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON (1940) stars Thomas Mitchell as William Robinson, Edna Best as Elizabeth Robinson and Freddie Bartholomew as Jack. Father decides to move to Australia for a better life. He and his family become stranded on a remote island where his three spoiled sons learn honest values. Special effects are very good, performances are strong, and of course it is less schmaltzy than the Disney version. Interestingly, Disney Studios bought the rights to this film and confiscated all known prints so there would be no comparisons made. OK Walt, let me just say that this version is just as good as yours.
Many versions of this classic story have been produced: SWISS CHEESE FAMILY ROBINSON (1947), SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON (1976), MOUNTAIN FAMILY ROBINSON (1980), NEW SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON (1998), and THE ADVENTURES OF SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON (1998). Plus there are eight TV movie versions, four TV series versions, and LOST IN SPACE is also known as "Space Family Robinson".
