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      Swiss Family Robinson

      1940 1h 32m Adventure List
      Reviews 30% Audience Score 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. Read More Read Less Watch on Disney+ Stream Now

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      Swiss Family Robinson

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      Critics Reviews

      View All (1) Critics Reviews
      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

      Audience Reviews

      View All (6) audience 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 Post a rating

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis 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.
      Director
      Edward Ludwig
      Genre
      Adventure
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Mar 11, 2020
      Runtime
      1h 32m
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