Survival Island

Survival Island


Starring:David Attenborough
Director: David Douglas
Studio: Imax
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Breathtaking IMAX photography, fascinating animals, and knowledgeable commentary make Survival Island powerful and informative. The sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia, also known as "Survival Island," is the only island suitable for breeding for thousands of miles in the Southern Ocean. Each spring, animals as disparate as the elephant and fur seals, king and macaroni penguins, albatross, and giant petrels visit the island to reproduce. Narrator David Attenborough details the cycle of life on the island by studying each species individually, then adopting a wider perspective that studies how such a fascinating array of life can coexist and thrive in such a cold, forbidding place. Humans' historical role as hunters on the island is briefly mentioned, as is our current role as statistical gatherer. A short behind-the-scenes featurette with producer Christopher Parsons and director David Douglas emphasizes the resilience of nature and gives a sense of the inspiration crew members experienced while filming on the island. (Ages 5 and older) --Tami Horiuchi
Description
Standing almost alone in the great Southern Ocean, South Georgia island plays host to some of the largest concentrations of animals anywhere on Earth during the spring and summer months. This is the story of these vast animal cities, and of the order that lies beneath their seeming chaos.

DVD Features:
Interactive Menus
Other:Soundtrack re-mastered in Dolby Digital 5.1

Swiss Family Robinson (Vault Disney Collection)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Knew I could find
  • Swiss Family Robinson (DVD)
  • One Of Our Family's Favorite Classic Stories
  • Talk about a CLASSIC!!!
  • Excellent Family Movie
Swiss Family Robinson (Vault Disney Collection)
Starring: John Mills , Dorothy McGuire , James MacArthur , Janet Munro , and Sessue Hayakawa
Director: Ken Annakin , and Jack Hannah
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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Similar Items:
  1. Treasure Island
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  5. In Search of the Castaways

ASIN: B00005RRG7
Release Date: 2002-05-07

Amazon.com

The Disney touch is all over this grand, colorful version of the Johann Wyss adventure of a European family set off for the new world of New Guinea. The film opens on a ship jostled and torn by a raging storm while a family struggles to make it through alive. Tossed into a reef near a deserted tropical island, father John Mills takes charge and the family soon turns their island prison into a veritable paradise. Their multilevel tree house, built in record time, is complete with running water and a working pipe organ scavenged from the ship, while their grand yard is abloom in English roses. As a tale of hardship and pioneer pluck, the tale is pure fantasy, but as entertainment it's energetic and appealing. The island is impossibly populated by ostriches, zebras, lions, and elephants, a private zoo that delights the youngest boy and offers plenty of comic relief. The two older brothers discover even wilder life when they rescue the prisoner of oriental pirates (led by hard-bitten Sessue Hayakawa). There's little real danger anywhere in the film--even the climactic battle with the pirates is a cartoonish affair, with coconut bombs and nonlethal booby traps, until the final desperate, deadly moments. Hardly a faithful adaptation of the novel, but a lush, beautifully photographed film and an entertaining adventure safe for all ages. Dorothy McGuire costars as the proper, worry-prone mother. (Ages 5 and older) --Sean Axmaker

Description

One of Disney's biggest and most fondly remembered hits, the spectacular screen version of the literary classic SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON is full of breathtaking South Seas scenery, hundreds of exotic animals, and treacherous pirates. This heroic tale chronicles the courageous exploits of the Robinson family after they are shipwrecked on a deserted island. Using teamwork and ingenuity, they skillfully overcome the obstacles of nature and transform their new home into a "civilized" community. But the ultimate challenge lies ahead when a band of cutthroat pirates threaten to destroy the Robinson's Makeshift paradise. Capture the thrills, romance, and fun of this unforgettable Disney film!

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Knew I could find.......2007-06-04

My son loved the movie Swiss Family Robinson when he was little. I have looked for it previously in stores but could not find. I knew we could find it on Amazon. I have told my grandchildren about the movie and the adventures the family has on an island. I got this movie for my son for Father's day so he can share it with his children. The movie is funny, adventurous, and shows so much ingenuity when the family needs shelter. It is a good family movie all will enjoy.

5 out of 5 stars Swiss Family Robinson (DVD).......2007-06-01

This is a great movie. I bought the DVD To ensure my Grandchildern had a chance to see this Movie.

5 out of 5 stars One Of Our Family's Favorite Classic Stories.......2007-05-11

This DVD contains Disney's adaptation of the original book, Der Schweizerische Robinson, written by author Johann David Wyss, in 1812. It is one of the finer works of Disney, in my opinion. The story of this family's struggles and determination, difficulties and joys is good watching (and good reading) for every member of the family. One of the most delightful aspects of this work is the emphasis placed upon good character, family values, and self-reliance. I recommend this movie to everyone...

5 out of 5 stars Talk about a CLASSIC!!!.......2007-05-10

You can't go wrong here! My siblings and I LOVED this movie as kids. I bought it for my son and daughter when they were younger and again, they LOVED it and watched it (and quoted it) repeatedly. I am now buying it for my young (7ish) nephews to enjoy. Probably my favorite no-cartoon Disney flick of all time!

5 out of 5 stars Excellent Family Movie.......2007-04-03

This is an excellent movie. I am so glad I purchased it for my son. I got it for his birthday 7 and at first he didnt really have an interest in watching it, but he was home from school sick one day and we watched it and I couldnt tear him away. He loved it! Its adventure, imagination, and fun all rolled into one.
Survival Island
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • movie review
  • Not a complete waste of time...
  • Sucked
  • Hot Players and Passions
  • three or survival island
Survival Island
Starring: Billy Zane , Kelly Brook , Juan Pablo Di Pace , Todd Collins , and Victoria Di Pace
Director: Stewart Raffill
Manufacturer: Showtime Ent.
ProductGroup: DVD
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Similar Items:
  1. Lake Consequence
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ASIN: B000EZ9084
Release Date: 2006-08-15

Description

Three arrive…one survives. Wealthy businessman Jack Matson (Billy Zane) and his beautiful wife Jennifer (Kelly Brook) are on a vacation in the Caribbean. Their vacation is cut short, however, when handsome Latin boatman Manuel (Juan Pablo Di Pace) accidentally causes the yacht to sink. Washed ashore a remote island and left for dead, Jack and Jennifer find that they must fend for themselves if they are to survive. But when they find that they are not the only survivors on the island, a primal and erotic tale of survival and jealousy ensues when Manuel appears and develops an attraction to Jennifer. As life becomes more and more competitive--and dangerous--on the island, Jennifer must decide to follow her heart or her instincts if she is to survive.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars movie review.......2007-07-07

hi if you guys like kelly brooks the british bombshell you will want to buy the movie kelly is hot running around the island in a white bikini but the movie has nude scenes and kelly is awesome good buy if you like kelly?on an island in hot bikini a skinny dip scene kelly topless and bare bottom.kelly has a guy attack her on the beach and rips off her bikini nudity some violence and sex.if you want kelly brooks a good movie make sure you get the unrated version.duane

3 out of 5 stars Not a complete waste of time..........2007-07-03

I watched this on cable tv the other night [for want of something better], and actually found it watchable, mildly entertaining even. The plot isn't exactly new...it centers around three people, a wealthy couple, Jack and Jennifer [played by Billy Zane & the sexy Kelly Brook]who together with their boatman Manuel [Juan Pablo di Pace] find themselves marooned on a remote island after a boating accident. The dialogue seems contrived throughout the movie, but what actually keeps this afloat is the above average acting by Billy Zane, as the insanely jealous husband, and the sexy performance by Kelly Brook. The conflict between the two men over Jennifer is palpable, and there is great chemistry between Jennifer and Manuel. It isn't a great movie, not even good, but watchable.

1 out of 5 stars Sucked.......2007-07-02

You know those movies that make you feel sick and disgusted, and wish you didn't see the movie to begin with. Well, this is one of those movies. Man, those writers in Hollywood have no class or morals. I don't know what they paid Kelly Brook to do the movie, but I'm sure she realizes now it wasn't worth it.

4 out of 5 stars Hot Players and Passions.......2007-05-08

Curvaceous Kelly Brook in her bikini (mmm! and less) for most of the movie. Her hunky rescuer treats her well - and fights with her jerk jealous husband, as she cries & tries to calm them. Passion on the beach, and in the jungle. An adventure and guilty pleasure! Once we're off the yacht, the story and dialogue get better (the voodoo is hokey), and the 3 actors make an okay drama, not phony or cheap. The beach and undersea scenes are filmed in gorgeous color! The ending's a good twist. If you've seen lovely Kelly Brook in the Agatha Christie TV Miss Marple mystery "The Moving Finger", this movie's gonna be a huge treat!

5 out of 5 stars three or survival island.......2007-01-15

i first saw this movie on a plane and even on the pretty small screen it really did provide a hell of a lot more entertainment that i was expecting. also altough kelly brooke is not at all my cup of tea it turns out she is a pretty darn good actress apart from the slight weak begining set before they actually reach the island. the story truly gets you gripped and has just enough of the green eyed monster and sexuality to keep you hooked even if thats not the type that you like. really worth a viewing and you can tell that billys jelousy is for real even if he does protest hes acting.
Lord of the Flies - Criterion Collection
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Blah.
  • Fly No Further
  • One of a Kind, a True Classic
  • The Power of the Conch
  • Don't Let the Pig Speak to You! Unnoticed cinematography!
Lord of the Flies - Criterion Collection
Starring: James Aubrey , Tom Chapin (II) , Hugh Edwards , Roger Elwin , and Tom Gaman
Director: Peter Brook
Manufacturer: Criterion
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Similar Items:
  1. Lord of the Flies
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ASIN: 0780022084
Release Date: 2000-01-18

Amazon.com

In this classic 1963 adaptation of William Golding's novel, a planeload of schoolboys is stranded on a tropical island. They've got food and water; all that's left is to peacefully govern themselves until they're rescued. "After all," says choir leader Jack, "We're English. We're the best in the world at everything!" Unfortunately, living peacefully is not as easy as it seems. Though Ralph is named chief, Jack and the choristers quickly form a clique of their own, using the ever-effective political promise of fun rather than responsibility to draw converts. Director Peter Brook draws some excellent performances out of his young cast; the moment when Ralph realizes that even if he blows the conch for a meeting people might not come is an excruciating one. Well acted and faithfully executed, Lord of the Flies is as compelling today as when first released. --Ali Davis

Description

Lord of the Flies is famed theater director Peter Brook's daring translation of William Golding's brilliant novel. The story of 30 English schoolboys stranded on an uncharted island at the start of the "next" war, Lord of the Flies is a seminal film of the New American Cinema and a fascinating anti-Hollywood experiment in location filmmaking. As the cast relived Golding's frightening fable, Brook found the cinematic "evidence" of the author's terrifying thesis: there is a beast in us all.

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars Blah........2007-05-01

The point, I think, of making a novel into a movie is to take the text and replace it with a visual. In this case, and in most cases, all the awesome good bits of the text are butchered in the name of artisitc license. Well "boo" to that! I cringe when my students ask to see the movie after we read the book, because it's just not the same. Where's the part with Simon and the head? And what's the deal with the parachutist? Those are important elements of the text that are either glossed over, mangled, or removed completely. I object to such tinkering with greatness! The merit in such films is only to encourage students to write reviews or to compare/contrast. Any other use, such as a substitution for the text, is not reccomended. Rhetorical question: Why don't film makers create a real version of the text? Enough said. Just read the book.

5 out of 5 stars Fly No Further.......2007-01-19

If you are looking for the definitive theatrical version of "Lord of the Flies", here it is. All essential thematic elements are included without laboring over miscellaneous detail. Sure, it could be longer to include every detail from the novel, but it loses nothing at its current length. I found it very useful as a follow up to classroom study, and my students adjusted well to the black and white presentation. You know it hits the mark when you need to pass out Kleenex, after Simon and Piggy's deaths, to a jaded bunch of ninth graders. Worth the investment!!

5 out of 5 stars One of a Kind, a True Classic.......2006-07-17

"We're Englishmen, and the English do everything right!" one of the choirboys says soon after finding themselves on the island. From then on, it's a steady degeneration into savagery. I saw Lord of the Flies (and read the Golding novel) when it first came out in the '60's, and it keeps getting better everytime I see it. There are just so many memorable images: "Piggy", the nerdy kid with the shattered glasses lens; flies buzzing around the hog's head impaled on a stick; the "Beast", etc. This is great story telling, and the kids' characters are so well delineated. Low budget and filmed entirely on location, the camera crew had to be very resourceful in overcoming obstactles. (Speaking of budgets... Criterion Editions does great work, but there's no reason to charge 40 bucks for this DVD. The transfer is excellent, but it's no better than an earlier issue on videotape put out by another outfit.) In special features, the filmakers discuss how they discovered an ingenious use of the zoom lens, a relatively new gadget at that time. (The effect is not the cheesy zoom in/zoom outs used ad nauseum on '70's TV shows.) An "indie" film of sorts, Lord of the Flies was filmed in black and white, but then, so were classics like On the Waterfront, To Kill a Mocking Bird and The Haunting. Technicolor film was very expensive, and you didn't want to leave too much of it on the cutting room floor. The '90's version is OK, but I think the film makers erred in making the kids military school students. The seed of violence has already been planted, and it's not so far a leap to savagery.

4 out of 5 stars The Power of the Conch.......2006-07-07

We were handed paperback copies of Sir William Golding's novel in my seventh grade class back in 1973, and it was not until three years later when I saw the 1963 movie. The plot was about thirty or so British schoolboys, ages 6 to 13, whose plane crashes in the South Pacific Ocean and were the only survivors. They came ashore on a small uncharted, uninhabited tropical island where survival and the hopes of being rescued took precedence. While the pilot perished in the crash, there were no other adults and the boys were left to fend for themselves.

The task was left to two of the oldest boys, Ralph and Jack. Ralph did his best to keep order with the younger boys where survival was the key by building shelters and gathering food. They would also build a fire as a signal to alert any passing ship or plane. While exploring the island and walking along the surf, Ralph and a fat, nearsighted boy, suffering from asthma, named Piggy stumbled upon a conch washed up on the shore. To Ralph the conch was an important symbol that whoever held onto it had the power to speak.

During their isolation on the island, the boys managed to get along until Jack, a choirboy who initially proclaimed that the British people were the most civilized on earth, wanted to have fun and hunt since the island was inhabited by wild pigs. This led to a falling out between him and Ralph, and two separate factions ensued. Jack's group were mainly other choirboys who split away from the main group, settling on one part of the island where they would engage in savagery with painted faces and long hair. Aside from Piggy, Ralph's group included a boy named Simon, two twins named Sam'n'Eric and some of the smaller boys that were called "littleuns".
The longer the two groups remained, hostilities between them grew more and more.

Since no adults were present, one fear they faced was that of "the Beast". Jack's group was determined to hunt down the beast, and the nightly rituals was dancing around the fire and chanting, "Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood!"

The trauma was that of a weak Simon who happened to stumble upon one of these rituals and was killed by Jack's group. His bloodied body thrown into the sea. The traumas continued as Jack's attention turned toward Ralph's group. The need for Piggy's spectacles to start fires was one thing and finishing off Ralph was another. Piggy would later be killed by a boulder falling on top of him and the conch smashed into worthless pieces. Sam'n'Eric would be apprehended and forced into Jack's group. This led to the littleuns abandoning Ralph as well.

Ralph, now alone, was in fear for his own life. Jack's goal now was to hunt him down and kill him, even if it meant smoking him out by burning the entire island. While Jack and his group were in pursuit, Ralph ran as fast as he could until he stumbled on the beach and would look up at a naval officer who happened to come ashore with a rescue party.

The plot in the film came very close to that of the novel. There was a remake of "Lord of the Flies" in 1990 that, to me, did not make any impression. The plot was altered where American boys from a military school faced similar situations. As for the 1963 film, I find it a classic not one worth missing.

5 out of 5 stars Don't Let the Pig Speak to You! Unnoticed cinematography!.......2006-06-05

This film is truly a masterpiece! Unless you're so up on your research, or unless you watched the extra stuff on the DVD, you'd have no idea that it was probably the first big picture which used a zoom lens! Many of the camera shots were extremely complicated since the producers had to invent and tinker around until they could make temporary dolly mechanisms with proper tracks that worked for their sets in Puerto Rico. Dialogue had to be done separately almost every time sinc eethe soun of the sea was so loud and since our video technolgoy was not so advanced. (I don't know of advanced technology can even block the sound of the sea out.) Long, hot hours for all 1st time actors and film people- most people involved in the film didn't realize at the time that the film was risky- limited time slot- all the students hasd to miss 1 month of school, not a day more, and summer vacation.

Another interesting factoid is that this film for the Premier release had the sound all backwards, and it was fixed and played correctly all on time in 1.5 hours. A police escort was provided to have the reel shipped to a UK theater.

The DVD has a "movie version" where Golding himself reads an abridged version of his book while the entire movie plays. There's also another "movie version" where directors and other staff make various comments on the movie. Listening to the readings is probably good enough for "cliff notes" though I would not recommend ever readign only the cliff notes or just watching the video. The book is too good to just read the cliff notes only, and that accentuates the video only more. One thing to noe though is that Golding's readings do not always match up with what is being shown in the movie itself.

In this original version, the pig does not talk because they had to remove many scenes. Most of the scenes removed were due to the film being too long, but the pig talking portion may've been removed because it may have been too hard for people to handle at the time. Even now, the movie's content is questionable for a rating because it's young male children living as savages, and sometimes there are captures with very little clothes. You never see the front when someone is totally undressed, but there may be a quick flash or two or things that you can't really see distinctly. This movie is definitely NOT sexual, but if you are looking for a clean, pure movie, non-realistic movie, or if you are vegetarian, this is probably not a good movie for you to watch.

This version of the movie is very different than the 1990 version, as 1990 is in color, and this version is more raw and more real like Survivor minus all the hype and silliness. I don't remember if Piggy's real name is even mentioned in the book or the 1990 version, but it's definitely not in this version. Most people would say this version is critically much better than the 1990 version as the 1990 version strips away the fact that about half of the boys are from a choir school. American actors will tend to act different than actors from various countries with a UK background, and since the book was written from a UK perspective, in this sense, the 1990 movie loses that degree of originality from the book. There have been other "versions" of the movie, and one mentioned in the extra stuff on this DVD that was so offkilter that they wouldn't even name it "Lord of the Flies." This particular version mentioned even had girls in it and a very happy ending. This is a movie of true value, substance, and realism.
Stranded
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Good family entertainment
  • Excellent Family Movie....
  • Plods along
  • "Survivor" (Middle Ages style) ... but different than "Count of Monte Cristo" or "[the adventures of] Robinson Crusoe"
  • How Refreshing to See A Film Like This...
Stranded
Starring: Liam Cunningham , Brana Bajic , Roger Allam , Jesse Spencer , and Neil Newbon
Director: Charles Beeson
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:
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ASIN: B000065U2U
Release Date: 2002-06-18

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Good family entertainment.......2007-05-20

This is a good, clean, wholesome family movie, made in the Hallmark tradition, and based on the book, "The Swiss Fmily Robinson." You pretty much know the story already, but the movie is different enough to keep your interest. The acting and production are very good, and the scenery is superior.

5 out of 5 stars Excellent Family Movie...........2007-04-27

Yes, it is long and slow but the movie itself is great. It gives more of the book than Disney could gather together. Worth the watch!

3 out of 5 stars Plods along.......2007-04-03

I made the mistake of buying this based on reviews here. I recommend you rent this first before buying it. Now I am always willing to see a different take on a book. This version of Swiss Family Robinson is more closely related than some others. I went into this with an open mind and my wife watched as well. Both our conclusions were we probably wouldn't sit through it again. It is okay, but it is far to slow in developing the story. This should have had tighter editing. It does not need to be so long a movie, and some of the scenes were not well acted. The music isn't that great either. I know now why someone like Hallmark didn't pick this one to distribute. Overall I am disappointed so many rated this so well. I think this movie had good potential, but it wasn't realized during editing. The scripting is pretty good and I like the addition of the native that comes to the Island. But it just seemed to drag along sometimes. Although the Disney version is a little far fetched with the Zebra and Ostrich on the island, it has much more action and is far more enjoyable to watch.

5 out of 5 stars "Survivor" (Middle Ages style) ... but different than "Count of Monte Cristo" or "[the adventures of] Robinson Crusoe".......2007-03-09

What a refreshing movie. Right off the bat it reminded me of "The Count of Monte Cristo" (classic book & movie) and "[the Adventures of}] Robinson Crusoe" ( [movie] & classic book). The way the stranded family adapted to their new environment and made a life for themselves on the island also reminded me of the modern American reality TV-show called "Survivor - *location name* ."

I highly recommend this movie (over 3 hours) because it is also quite different than the mentioned books/films, and TV show. This movie is based on a book, and the cinematography is superb.

Get comfy, grab some snack food, and enjoy your company (family or friends) ... for this movie is a good adventure ... even if much unlikely for any of us, as for the main characters.

Survivor, "this family is growing up" ...The failure to communicate is the failuyre to love.

4 out of 5 stars How Refreshing to See A Film Like This..........2007-01-30

I was drawn in to this movie expecting to see the standard "lost at sea" type of story and was pleasantly surprised as the plot unfolded. This family made the best of an awful situation, looked out for one another, and always relied upon their faith in God to get them through. They really "bloomed" where they were "planted". This production was so much more realistic than others and I could actually visualize myself in their situation--I was on the edge of my seat a number of times. This was very well done and such a refreshing change from the standard fare of violence, sex, and other depravity we are bombarded with on a daily basis.
Man of Aran
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Irish Movie
  • And I thought we were poor when I was a kid...
  • a film course on one DVD
  • Man of Aran
  • A window into the past of Ireland
Man of Aran
Starring: Colman 'Tiger' King , Maggie Dirrane , Michael Dirrane , Pat Mullin , and Patch 'Red Beard' Ruadh
Director: Robert J. Flaherty
Manufacturer: Homevision
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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  1. Nanook of the North - Criterion Collection
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  5. Berlin: Symphony of a Great City

ASIN: B00008UALI
Release Date: 2003-05-20

Amazon.com

While it stretches the definition of documentary, Robert Flaherty's Man of Aran remains a triumph of poetic imagery, and one of the greatest nonfiction films ever made. Critic Pauline Kael hailed it as "the greatest film tribute to man's struggle against hostile nature," referring to conditions faced by bold residents of the Aran Islands, 30 miles offshore from Galway, Ireland, amidst the harshest seas of the Atlantic. Flaherty and his tiny crew spent over two years on the islands, chronicling the rugged lives of the Araners on a landscape so rocky that seaweed is used as improvised soil. Flaherty cast the film with assorted locals and recreated anachronistic events (such as the harpooning of a basking shark) from Aran's past, inviting controversy over the film's authenticity. That debate continues on this DVD's exceptional bonus features (for retrospective insight, "How the Myth Was Made" is every bit as good as Flaherty's film), but Man of Aran is, and always will be, a timeless record of extraordinary people, miraculously surviving in a most extraordinary place. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Robert J. Flaherty's award-winning Man of Aran uses stunning location photography and brilliant montage editing to build a forceful drama of life on the Aran Islands. Situated among the frequent and violent storms that slam into its barren landscape, the islands are "three wastes of rock" off the western coast of Ireland. With a small crew, Flaherty spent nearly two years shooting, developing, and assembling footage of the islanders' Herculean efforts to survive in unbearably harsh conditions. Home Vision Entertainment is proud to present this historic masterpiece in a new digital transfer.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Irish Movie.......2007-07-04

Had to buy this movie as I was going to this island of Aran. Stayed in the B&B that was built for the director.

4 out of 5 stars And I thought we were poor when I was a kid..........2007-05-12

Black and white docudrama of what it was like to scrape a living off the barren coastal islands of Ireland. Story is scarce, sound is almost indecipherable, but if you watch the actors, (locals hired for the film,) they wade waist deep into the icy Atlantic breakers without even flinching, it's an every day thing for them to risk their lives to gather a torn net or pull a boat through the huge waves, just to glean enough to keep their stomach full. I was on Aran, recognized some of the settings, life is tremendously better, now, but you see why they still consider someone not of the island families an outsider, no matter how long they've lived there.

5 out of 5 stars a film course on one DVD.......2006-07-17

Man of Aran (the extra features aside) stands as a landmark film, a beautifully-shot evocation of the desolate west Ireland coast, part documentary, part fiction. These are actors, but the man, woman and boy are placed in timeless places and activities -- the physical labor and danger very real -- whether it's trying to spear a shark the size of their boat, or trying to extract themselves and that boat from an angry sea, or scratching a potato bed from rocky soil and making the soil in the process. Flaherty is as painstaking as these people, showing a very real process of creating a potato bed out of nothing but rock.

It's worth noting that film was still just emerging from the silent era then, and Robert Flaherty apparently filmed a silent film and then masterfully added sound -- there's very little dialogue (other than incidental). The repeated footage of the sea breaking on that cliff-lined coast conveys all of the power and danger of that surf. (The print seems of good quality.) The documentaries on the DVD show just how primitive the cameras and other equipment were -- indeed, the four documentary featurettes tell much about the difficulties and limitations of film production of the day.

The documentaries also put the film in perspective, returning to a much-tamed Aran of a later day. The interviews with former cast members and other islanders can be touching and genuine.

Possibly Robert Flaherty's best film, and the DVD is a worthy vehicle for it.

5 out of 5 stars Man of Aran.......2005-09-07

No movie better illustrates the tenuous, symbiotic relationship between brute nature and human endurance than Robert Flaherty's hauntingly gorgeous "Man of Aran." Flaherty, director of the classic "Nanook of the North" and father of the documentary form, shot "Aran," his first sound feature, over the course of two and a half years, casting heroic locals in key roles and training his camera on the rugged, magnificent environment in which they eke out their survival. "Man of Aran" is pure visual poetry, astounding and unforgettable.

5 out of 5 stars A window into the past of Ireland.......2005-04-02

"Man of Aran" may strictly be no documentary, but it is very real. The hard life of the people of the Isle of Aran is portrayed in its full harshness and splendor. Of a sort.

Robert Flaherty, director of acclaimed documentary "Nanook of the North," brings his same authentic eye to this struggle of man against nature, and how people can claw out an existence in even the harshest of climates. His camera makes you believe his story, as does the unaffected dialog and ability of his subjects.

Unfortunately for Flaherty, the daily life struggle of the Aran inhabitants was not raw enough, so he brought their lives about 90 years into the past, into the realm of harpoon shark fishing and suicidal egg hunting near towering cliffs. In order to resurrect this past, he located islanders who remembered the old ways, and knew the skills necessary to achieve his vision. In this way, Flaherty is authentic, using the elder residents to bring their childhood to life again. But it was not modern Aran.

This DVD is fantastic, bringing not only the original docu-drama, as well as several supporting documentaries regarding the making of "Man of Aran," about Flaherty himself, and several interesting dialogs about the film. One could not wish for a more complete package.
No Man Is an Island
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Great movie but huge misrepresentation!!
  • No Man Is An Island
  • Chamorros??....Well, not exactly
  • Great Movie
  • No Man Is an Island
No Man Is an Island
Starring: Jeffrey Hunter , Marshall Thompson , Barbara Perez , Ronald Remy , and Paul Edwards Jr.
Director: Richard Goldstone , and John Monks Jr.
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0001FVDGE
Release Date: 2004-05-25

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Great movie but huge misrepresentation!!.......2007-06-20

I thought the movie was awesome except for the fact that it was taped in the Phillippines and the "Chamorros" were in fact Filipinos who spoke Tagalog in the film. Anyone know of any movies with real Chamorros in it?

5 out of 5 stars No Man Is An Island.......2007-05-19

This is an excellent movie about a man who after he Japanese invaded Guam eluded ong search for him aided by the noble people of Guam.

4 out of 5 stars Chamorros??....Well, not exactly.......2007-05-06

The movie appeared to portray the events fairly accurately, but there was something I noted as one with native Guamanian (Chamorro) blood myself. The characters who were supposed to be Chamorro were not, but rather they were Filipino. The movie would at times indicate that the natives were speaking Chamorro, when in fact, they were speaking Tagalog. I don't expect most Americans to recognize this fact (nor would they much care, probably), but the Filipinos and Chamorros definitely would. All in all, a good movie, but carelessly done with respect to the portrayal of the native Guamanians.

5 out of 5 stars Great Movie.......2007-03-16

Great movie to add to any war movie collection. It's a human story told in a humane way. It covers the true events as told by the one man to be there. Won't give away the story except to say...way to go Capt. Pike! LOL...

2 out of 5 stars No Man Is an Island.......2007-02-24

Production values and acting more of the level of aB level TV show. Story was good but it was not well presented.
Survival Island
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Must have been great in IMAX, a little short for DVD
Survival Island
Starring: David Attenborough
Director: David Douglas
Manufacturer: Imax
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0000687GJ
Release Date: 2002-08-06

Amazon.com

Breathtaking IMAX photography, fascinating animals, and knowledgeable commentary make Survival Island powerful and informative. The sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia, also known as "Survival Island," is the only island suitable for breeding for thousands of miles in the Southern Ocean. Each spring, animals as disparate as the elephant and fur seals, king and macaroni penguins, albatross, and giant petrels visit the island to reproduce. Narrator David Attenborough details the cycle of life on the island by studying each species individually, then adopting a wider perspective that studies how such a fascinating array of life can coexist and thrive in such a cold, forbidding place. Humans' historical role as hunters on the island is briefly mentioned, as is our current role as statistical gatherer. A short behind-the-scenes featurette with producer Christopher Parsons and director David Douglas emphasizes the resilience of nature and gives a sense of the inspiration crew members experienced while filming on the island. (Ages 5 and older) --Tami Horiuchi

Description

Standing almost alone in the great Southern Ocean, South Georgia island plays host to some of the largest concentrations of animals anywhere on Earth during the spring and summer months. This is the story of these vast animal cities, and of the order that lies beneath their seeming chaos.

DVD Features:
Interactive Menus
Other:Soundtrack re-mastered in Dolby Digital 5.1

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Must have been great in IMAX, a little short for DVD.......2003-11-10

This is a fine documentary about the animal life of the sub-Antarctic Island of South Georgia.

You see elephant seals, fur seals, at least two species of penguin and Wandering Albatross. The vast numbers of each of the species featured is impressive by themselves. Of course, you get interesting info on all these species. The male elephant seals fighting for the right to a harem until they are a bloody mess while disinterested penguins look on is particularly memorable.

Unfortunately, this is only 35 minutes long. As good as this documentary is, it could have been much better with additional analyses and commentary. The cost of a DVD will be too high for many to justify this short piece. However, this is a solid nature documentary and well worth watching. I certainly recommend it for libraries, etc., where frequent watching will justify the cost.
Raptor Island
Average customer rating: 2 out of 5 stars
  • Raptor Island
Raptor Island
Starring: Lorenzo Lamas , Steven Bauer , Hayley DuMond , Michael Cory Davis , and Peter Jason
Director: Stanley Isaacs
Manufacturer: Starz / Anchor Bay
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Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000HDRB7A
Release Date: 2006-11-14

Description

Somewhere on the churning fury of the South China Sea, an elite team of Naval commandoes led by Hacket (Lorenzo Lamas of RENEGADE) launches a daring assault on notorious international terrorist Azir (Steven Bauer of SCARFACE). But on a nearby uninhabited atoll, both sides - including a tough-but-beautiful CIA agent (Hayley DuMond) - will soon come face-to-face with the ultimate horde of prehistoric horror: They are fast, cunning, and are supposed to have been extinct for over 100 million years. Most of all, they are hungry. Now what began as a hostage rescue mission will become a savage fight for survival where trained killers must battle their way up the food chain against the barbaric violence of mankind, the explosive forces of nature, and the blood-crazed carnivores of RAPTOR ISLAND.

DVD Features:Widescreen Presentation enhanced for 16x9 TVs

Customer Reviews:

2 out of 5 stars Raptor Island.......2007-01-10

This DVD is more of a comedy for adults. It is very weak in the filming. For example, the opening scene of an airplane flying, looks like someone took a toy plane and swung it from a string and rocked it back and forth. From that point on, it was fun to see how amaturish the film was. Probably should have returned it.
Luis Bunuel's Robinson Crusoe
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • The other Bunuel
  • Surprisingly disappointing
  • Surprisingly Faithful Adaptation, highly recommended
  • Tongue-in-cheek stab at adventure film
  • Robinson Crusoe
Luis Bunuel's Robinson Crusoe
Starring: Dan O'Herlihy , Jaime Fernández (II) , Felipe de Alba , Chel López , and José Chávez
Director: Luis Buñuel
Manufacturer: Vci Video
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ASIN: B0002F6BJC
Release Date: 2004-09-14

Amazon.com

The most surreal aspect of this adaptation of Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe is how faithful Surrealist director Luis Bunuel is to the original book! Which is not to say it's sluggish or literary--Bunuel recreates the story with lush scenery and vivid images, as if he himself were discovering the tropical island along with the Englishman shipwrecked in 1659. Crusoe (Daniel O'Herlihy, later to appear in RoboCop) spends 28 years building a home and struggling to maintain his sanity; only a friendship formed with a former cannibal whom he dubs Friday (Jaime Fernandez) breaks his isolation. Bunuel (Un Chien Andalou, Belle De Jour, That Obscure Object of Desire) hews scrupulously to even the most colonial aspects of the original material. Crusoe's original expedition set out to trade slaves, and when Crusoe first meets Friday, he introduces himself as "Master" and comments, "How pleasant it was once more to have a servant." But moments of puckish humor--such as a theological debate in which Friday questions the emotional stability of God--reveal that Bunuel was hardly blind to these issues. Bunuel's sharp eye results in a straightforward but superb version of the classic adventure story. The dvd has a small handful of extras, including an extensive audio interview with O'Herlihy (who was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance), in which he reminisces about Orson Welles and reveals that though the movie is in English, Bunuel never spoke it and O'Herlihy had to learn Spanish so he could take direction. --Bret Fetzer

Description

VCI is very proud to present this adventure classic from acclaimed director Luis Buñuel, one of the most acclaimed directors in the history of film, in a new special edition. Virtually unseen in any medium for decades and even thought lost by some, VCI's release has been fully restored to its original glory in time for the 50th Anniversary of its U.S. theatrical release. The year is 1659. There is a shipwreck and the sole survivor Robinson Crusoe is washed ashore on a deserted tropical island. Suddenly faced with a hostile and unknown wilderness, he carves out a life for himself with his bare hands. And remarkably, he learns how to survive the maddening absence of human companionship and intense loneliness. Based on Daniel Defoe's immortal classic it is a story about the human spirit's ability to endure what seem insurmountable challenges. Bonus Features: Scene Selection|English & Spanish languages|English Subtitles Optional|Audio Interview with Dan O'Herlihy by Film Critic David Del Valle|Before & After Restoration Video|Excerpt Reproduction of Original Press Book|Short Biographies & Selected Filmographies|Photo Gallery. Specs: DVD9; Dolby Digital Mono; 90 minutes; Color; 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio; MPAA - NR; Year - 1952; SRP - $14.99.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars The other Bunuel.......2005-05-07

I'm not sure why this DVD has received lackluster reviews, but I suspect it's due to disappointment from fans of Bunuel's more surreal masterpieces at the two ends of his career (his collaborations with Dali c. 1930, and the last 9 or 10 films of his old age). Still, people shouldn't dismiss Robinson Crusoe. It has much in common stylistically with other movies of his Mexican period, notably Los Olvidados (1950) and Nazarin (1959) but especially his adaptation of Wuthering Heights made just before Robinson Crusoe. There's a directness and simplicity to these films that is deceiving -- and, like I said, disappointing to fans of Bunuel's more flamboyant stuff. I wouldn't call Robinson Crusoe a masterpiece along the lines of The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie or Belle de Jour, but it's interesting and entertaining. (For several interesting reviews, check out the ones on IMDb. On this page, I think "Laughing Gravy" and M. Lucas have hit the nail on the head.)

If you're not a Bunuel fan, then the movie stands on its own pretty well -- mainly because of its surprising faithfulness to Defoe's novel. Huge chunks of Defoe's prose are preserved intact as narration, which I never found annoying. This DVD would make a wonderful teaching aid for high school English classes. (In fact, Bunuel would probably have found it amusing that one of his films can be found in the Family Entertainment section of many video stores.) And O'Herlihy, who has to carry the movie single-handedly for about half the running time, is quite good. His Oscar nomination was well-deserved.

As others have said, VCI's presentation is very nice. There are several minor instances of "ghosting" (mild blurriness caused by the transfer to DVD). Considering that the original negative no longer exists and that Pathe Color was a cheap alternative to Technicolor, I'd say they've done as good a job on the restoration as they could. The long audio interview with the late Dan O'Herlihy is a solid extra.

In summation, I'd say that, if you're interested in this title, it's worth a purchase, especially at it's reasonable listing price. (Even if you end up hating it, you can always donate your copy to a school.) O'Herlihy's performance and the script's faithfulness to the source make this movie respectable entertainment; the presence of Bunuel as director adds an extra layer for viewers searching for "more." And VCI serves everything up with class.

2 out of 5 stars Surprisingly disappointing .......2005-04-06

Sadly, disappointment is the only word for Bunuel's lifeless and seemingly endless 'Robinson Crusoe,' which is less minimalist than it is totally disinterested, for the most part a radio reading of the novel with accompanying and not very impressive pictures. Most of the film tells you what the castaway has done rather than shows you until Friday and the cannibals arrive. It briefly perks up here, dealing well with Crusoe's patronising relationship with Friday and their initial distrust, but it's still just skirting the moderately interesting rather than the genuinely engaging. Daniel O'Herlihy's one note performance is a liability too - there's not much to this Crusoe, and certainly not enough to spend 90 minutes with him.

True, the film was made under immensely difficult conditions, but my problem was that only the limitations were visible - in the restored 90-minute version I saw there was precious little imagination or ability either, which I found particularly surprising from Bunuel: a flat and lifeless b-movie programmer was the last thing I would have expected from him. This felt more like one of Louis Heyward's worst efforts, only without the sporadic entertainment value. Only the fate of Crusoe's dog and the sound of its bark as he left the island really resonated.

Aside from a surprisingly inept dream sequence and a brief theological discussion, there's little to show that this is a Bunuel film (at times its perilously close to Ed Wood's print the first take approach, being shot almost entirely in bland tight medium shots), marking it as a failure as a Bunuel film, a literary adaptation and an adventure. A shame.

The VCi R1 DVD is an impressive package, offering both Spanish and English language tracks and a long audio interview with O'Herlihy.

4 out of 5 stars Surprisingly Faithful Adaptation, highly recommended.......2004-10-18

Luis Buñuel (1900-1983) is celebrated today as "the father of cinematic Surrealism" for creating subversive classics from the beginning of his career, L' Âge d'or (1930), until the end, That Obscure Object of Desire (1977). What a shock to discover, then, that his only English-language film, the once all-but-lost Robinson Crusoe (1954), is a straightforward adventure tale with all of the fun and social comment of the timeless Daniel Defoe novel but with nary a sliced eyeball to be found.

I'm certain ya'll know the story, and the film is faithful: Rob is shipwrecked on a tropical island, saves what he can from the ship before it goes down, and spends most of the rest of the 17th century dodging wild animals, cannibals, and pirates before hooking up with his man Friday.

In the early sequences, we see that Crusoe is all but helpless, not even able to build a fire with no servants to help him. Over the years, he not only perseveres, but triumphs over his environment, building a quite satisfactory fortress of solitude. The loneliness gets to him, though, particularly once his dog dies - "I learned to master everything on my island - except myself!" he ruminates. In a masterful scene, he dreams of his father, who chides him for going off to sea; in another, he feeds some small ants to some big ones, which means something, but don't ask me what. Once he rescues Friday from the cannibals, he gains - not a friend, but a servant, and when his suspicions of Friday get the best of him, Crusoe clamps him in leg irons he rescued from the wreck (he was on a slaving mission, although why he'd want to carry heavy chains from the sinking ship is anybody's guess). Eventually, he comes to recognize Friday as an equal, albeit a lesser one, which leads to a delightful argument about God and the devil between Crusoe and Friday, and if Hitchcock made Psycho just so he could film the shower scene, I can see Buñuel (product of a strict religious upbringing) making Crusoe just for this scene.

A major feather in the proverbial cap for VCI Entertainment, Robinson Crusoe is treated to a brilliant restoration and even includes a few worthwhile extras: the trailer, a poster gallery, an audio interview with Crusoe star Dan O'Herlihy (an Oscar nominee in the role; he lost to Brando in On The Waterfront), and an insert copy of the pressbook. There's also a "before and after" restoration featurette, so you can appreciate how much work went into the digitally remastered edition. Highly recommended.

5 out of 5 stars Tongue-in-cheek stab at adventure film.......2004-10-08

First, VCI deserves a lot of credit for restoring and releasing this obscure work from the Spanish master. This appears to be a tape transfer with a pretty decent restoration. Largely considered lost by many, and filmed on a cheap film stock to begin with, this is about the best anyone could have hoped for. Colors are a bright but muddy, and shift at odd times -- some times with deep blues, then with a murky greens. Whatever the case, a pretty nice film to look at, and the audio is pretty good.

The film itself is pretty bizarre. Its a bit odd that Bunuel would attempt a straight adaptation of Defoe's famous adventure novel into a clean genre film. The great fun of this film is that its a very cheeky bit of self-mockery. The whole style of the film is a deliberate aping of the illustrations found in children's books, and contrasting this puerile and silly style is Bunuel subtle, often hilarious, jabs at the doubtful morality of Crusoe and his story.

I read it as a bit of an anti-colonialist satire. Bunuel's adventure begins with Crusoe defying his strict father and setting out "...bound to Africa to find slaves." From the very get-go, Bunuel's concern is the paternal master/slave relationship. Early in the film, Crusoe has a haunting and perverse dream about his tyrannical Puritan father refusing him water, which is by far the most "Bunuelesque" scene of the film. Crusoe eventually does adapt to his situation on the island, after discovering the Bible and finding a new father figure, God. He piously devotes his attentions to honoring God, yelling scriptures on the hilltops and noting the Sabbath by notching it on a wood plank. With the help of his new master, Crusoe restores order to his chaotic new life.

But Bunuel continues to stab at Crusoe -- when making a scarecrow, he dresses up a wooden cross in a woman's dress. Bunuel holds on Crusoe as, sinning in his heart, he looks back amorously at the dressed-up cross. Later, when Crusoe finds an uncivilized barbarian, "Friday," he Anglicizes him by finicking over Friday's physical appearance: cutting his hair, giving him a gold necklace, etc. However, when Friday puts on a woman's dress, his "Master" Crusoe is immediately uncomfortable, and become inexplicably angry. The point is hard to miss.

Not to be overlooked, also, is the humanity of the film. When it's not being so cruel, it does provide a little bit of the familiar Defoe pathos. Crusoe is, after all, a lonely and confused man trying to make sense of an alien environment. Its difficult to tell how much of this existential angst is Bunuel, and how much of it is Defoe, but it is present.

If you catch on to the humor, then this film will be very amusing for any Bunuel fan. And, without a doubt, Bunuel's hand is all over this film. Shots of bugs, irreverent and dry humor, unflattering portraits of warped characters -- it may not be the Discreet Charm, but this "lost" Opus should delight any fan. For those who don't know who Bunuel is, it'll just be a fun B-grade adaption of Defoe. Everyone wins.

2 out of 5 stars Robinson Crusoe.......2004-10-03

The long awaited "Adventures of Robinson Crusoe" has finally arrived on home video on DVD by VCI. This DVD entitled "Robinson Crusoe" purports to be a "restoration." The original film had two things going for it - a fine performance by Dan O'Herlihy and vivid color. VCI got one out of two. The so-called restoration's color is sub-par, although they managed to get a lot of dirt and scratches out, the color is not close to being vivid. It didn't help that it was filmed in bargain basement Pathecolor. The sound track has on and off thumping noises that are most annoying. Only if you are a fan of this film is it worth seeing or even buying. This restoration looks like it was one of those digital jobs. VCI should leave the restorations to Criterion and Robert A. Harris. I was really looking forward to this DVD but ended up being badly disappointed.
Robinson Crusoe
Average customer rating: 2 out of 5 stars
  • so so ...
  • Pierce and Cruseo
  • An interesting variation
  • Stranded: Flat and Insipid Re-Telling of Classic Novel
  • Robinson Crusoe the movie, don't see it!!!
Robinson Crusoe
Starring: Pierce Brosnan , William Takaku , Polly Walker (II) , Ian Hart , and James Frain
Director: Rod Hardy , and George Miller
Manufacturer: Miramax
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005U8QM
Release Date: 2002-01-22

Amazon.com

Pierce Brosnan stars in a new movie version of the classic adventure tale Robinson Crusoe. After killing a friend in a duel, Crusoe flees his native Scotland and takes to the high seas. A storm casts him ashore on an island in the Indian Ocean, where he builds himself a home out of bamboo and goes a little crazy from solitude--until he finds a footprint in the sand that isn't his. The relationship between Crusoe and Friday, a native from a neighboring island, gets a more contemporary (less colonial) interpretation than in the original story; the result is quite enjoyable. Brosnan is particularly good at depicting Crusoe's borderline madness from isolation, and William Takaku gives Friday both dignity and intelligence. The cinematography of the island is gorgeous. --Bret Fetzer

Description

Dynamic screen star Pierce Brosnan (THE TAILOR OF PANAMA, THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH) braves the perils of an untamed land in this classic story of sweeping action and high adventure! As the sole survivor of a disastrous high-seas shipwreck, Robinson Crusoe (Brosnan) is forced to build a solitary life on a deserted tropical island. But he eventually discovers that even this existence is threatened by a local tribe, which uses his island for barbaric sacrificial rituals! Soon, Crusoe will risk his own life to save a doomed tribesman from certain death! In a thrilling adaptation of the timeless novel by Daniel Defoe, both men -- each stranded and unable to return home -- must cross an immense cultural divide to forge a friendship and survive against impossible odds!

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars so so ..........2007-03-29

average movie. Nice to see Pierce Brosnan with a beard.
Not much action, but how much action can you have stranded in the Pacific?

5 out of 5 stars Pierce and Cruseo.......2006-11-05

What a lovely combination.An old story played by a great actor. I am sure that you will all enjoy.It is a story as olf as time itself.

3 out of 5 stars An interesting variation.......2006-02-25

The slavery aspect was offputting, but the pleasure of the other natives at hearing Friday's story raised my rating.

1 out of 5 stars Stranded: Flat and Insipid Re-Telling of Classic Novel.......2005-12-18

This `Robinson Crusoe' film stars handsome Pierce Brosnan, but though it was shot in 1994, it remained on the shelf for more than three years before finally released straight-to-video in America The film is distributed by Miramax, one of the powerful studios in Hollywood, but few people have heard about it. And TWO directors were attached to the project - Rodney K. Hardy and George Miller, the latter being the one who directed `Never Ending Story 2,' no, not the Australian director who did `Mad Max.'

The film's history suggests something very awful. The fact is, `Robinson Crusoe' is not as awful as you might think it is, but it is still awful all the same. Not that it is boring. It has lots of actions - a Scotsman dueling his best friend, a shipwreck, meeting with a native, fighting against the tribesmen, etc. -- but the storytelling of the entire film is so flat that the film looks as if being cut, edited, and put together by computer software. Crusoe's adventures are all on autopilot, allowing very few moments to make us care the hero and his friend Friday.

The back cover of my VHS of the film reads `SWEEPING ACTION AND HIGH ADVENTURE!' `BARABARIC SACRIFICAL RITUALS!' `SAVE A DOOMED TRIBESMAN FROM CERTAIN DEATH!' `SURVIVE AGAINST IMPOSSIBLE ODDS!' And look at these phrases with exclamation marks added to each of them. Yes, all of them surely happen in the film, but none of them is as thrilling as these four exclamation marks suggest. Even a dog appears to share the adventures with Crusoe, but the subplot about poor pooch ends up with a very misguided (and poorly done) conclusion which will leave you speechless.

Brosnan is a decent actor, and he is OK here (though his Scottish accent comes and goes), but more impressive is William Takaku as Friday. The supporting actors are Polly Walker (about 5 minutes), James Frain (about 1 minute), and Ian Hart (about 1 minute). Sean Brosnan, son of the star, briefly appears as cabin boy.

So, after all, what can you expect from a filmed version of `Robinson Crusoe'? You think you know the story, and probably have read the original book of Daniel Dafoe when you are a child. Whatever your memory might be, the film must have adventures, and lots of them. This film attempts to show as many as it can, but none of them is exciting as it should be.

1 out of 5 stars Robinson Crusoe the movie, don't see it!!! .......2005-01-14

I am a big fan of Robinson Crusoe, but then these stupid movie people have to go and screw it up!!!! I mean dang, he was supposed to be on the island for 28 years but they changed it all up so that he is only there for 6!!!!!?? Whoever reads this, DO NOT SEE IT IT IS A WASTE OF MONEY!!! Also they did not include him living in a cave and having a home in the country and a farm in the Brazils. They did not show how he was able to plant stuff or how he go the goats and sheep that he survied on. Friday was also a ripoff, in the book he was more tanned than African American. And if you notice in the movie he had a toucan but in the book he had a parrot that he taught to speak to him. And more about Friday, he had converted his religion to Christianity but he kept his religion. Now all i have to say is that if Amazon had -5stars i would pick that.

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