Synopsis
After being shipwrecked, the Robinson family is marooned on an island inhabited only by an impressive array of wildlife. In true pioneer spirit, they quickly make themselves at home but soon face a danger even greater than nature: dastardly pirates.
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Cast
- John MillsFather
- Dorothy McGuireMother
- James MacArthurFritz
- Janet MunroRoberta 'Bertie'
- Sessue HayakawaKuala, Pirate Chief
- Tommy KirkErnst
- Kevin CorcoranFrancis
- Cecil ParkerCaptain Moreland
- Andy HoAuban
- Milton ReidBig Pirate
Recommendations
- 83
The A.V. Club
Still appeals to the lingering adolescent taste for daydreams. - 75
TV Guide Magazine
It's a tongue-in-cheek movie that avoids the sappy sentiment of so many "family" films and concentrates on sheer entertainment instead. - 70
The New York Times
The Robinsons, their island and Mr. Disney have made a real Christmas contribution for any family. - 60
Time
It's a great show for what the Disney organization has called "the under-twelve sector," and even though it runs long enough (2 hrs. 6 min.) to make the over-twelve sector squirm. - 40
Variety
The rather modest 1813 Johann Wyss tale has been blown up to prodigious proportions. The essence and the spirit of the simple, intriguing story of a marvelously industrious family is all but snuffed out, only spasmodically flickering through the ponderous approach. - 25
LarsenOnFilm
Swiss Family Robinson’s sole saving grace is the tree house the family builds, an inventive piece of production design that manages to capture the sort of imaginative delight the rest of the movie is striving for.
