Swiss Family Robinson

Name: Swiss Family Robinson
Genre: Adventure
Rating: 32
Cast: Thomas Mitchell, Edna Best, Freddie Bartholomew, Terry Kilburn, Tim Holt

Play trailer

1940

1h 32m

Adventure

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

Tomatometer

1 Reviews

32%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

Worried about the social and political climate of their adopted home of London in the 1810s, Swiss-born watchmaker William Robinson (Thomas Mitchell) sets sail with his wife, Elizabeth (Edna Best), and three sons on a ship bound for Australia. When a violent storm washes the ship's crew overboard, the family becomes shipwrecked on a remote island. Using provisions and livestock rescued from their vessel, the Robinsons begin to build a new, self-sufficient life for themselves.

Watch on Disney+

Stream Now

Kat Halstead

Common Sense Media

Visually impressive for its time, this adaptation still proves reliable family entertainment, but is lacking the flair that might have made it a classic.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 17, 2021

Full Review

Read all reviews

Kim T

Yes this film is from 1940 and in black and white but it is very enjoyable. Simple yet entertaining.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/22/23

Full Review

matt h

So the 1960s movie is like one of my most favorite films from childhood. With Disney+ I didn't even know that this movie existed. Well I bet this is probably closer to the book but I'm not sure I liked it. The father was creepy and the mom was just blah in this version.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I cried many times during the film. It was excellent!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

Full Review

r 9

I thought I'd give this a watch before watching the Disney remake, given they are both on the latter's streaming service. I like 1940's 'Swiss Family Robinson', though there are many ways it could be improved upon which is what I hope the 1960 production does. This one, made by RKO Pictures, is enjoyable. The action sequences look decent enough, the acting is solid while the premise is very intriguing. I rate the film almost from start-to-finish, the moments which make up that last part disappoints unfortunately - the ending doesn't really make sense. Thomas Mitchell (William) and Freddie Bartholomew (Jack) are my standout characters, both of those two give good performances. Edna Best & Co. are all fine, though. It's with Best's character that makes the finale poor in my eyes. I won't spoil what happens, but it doesn't work in my opinion - especially in connection with what else occurs. Those criticisms of mine stop me from placing this higher. However, it is still an entertaining flick from 1940.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

s r

Ambitious, but it doesn't hold a candle to the 1960 version in terms of outright entertainment.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Well, if your having trouble sleeping, 'Swiss Family Robinson (1940)' will send you right to sleep.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Edward Ludwig

Director

Thomas Mitchell

William Robinson

Edna Best

Elizabeth Robinson

Freddie Bartholomew

Jack Robinson

Terry Kilburn

Ernest Robinson

Tim Holt

Fritz Robinson

"T3" Director Hired to Remake "Swiss Family Robinson"

View more photos

Synopsis

Director: Edward Ludwig
Producer: Gene Towne, C. Graham Baker
Genre: Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 11, 2020
Runtime: 1h 32m

Email not verified

Let's keep in touch!

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

Let's keep in touch!

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

Swiss Family Robinson

Where to Watch