Swiss Family Robinson (1960)

Director:

Ken Annakin

Writers:

Lowell S. Hawley (screenplay)
Johann David Wyss (novel)

Release Date:

21 December 1960 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Family

Tagline:

THE ADVENTURE OF ADVENTURES! (original print ad - all caps)

Plot:

A family in route to New Guinea is shipwrecked on a deserted tropical island. They are forced to remain...

Plot Keywords:

Island | Pirate | Tropical Island | Survival | Elephant

Cast

John Mills	...	Father Robinson
Dorothy McGuire	...	Mother Robinson
James MacArthur	...	Fritz Robinson
Janet Munro	...	Roberta 'Bertie'
Sessue Hayakawa	...	Kuala, Pirate Chief
Tommy Kirk	...	Ernst Robinson
Kevin Corcoran	...	Francis Robinson
Cecil Parker	...	Captain Moreland
Andy Ho	...	Auban
Milton Reid	...	Big Pirate
Larry Taylor	...	Pirate

Directed by
Ken Annakin

Writing credits
Lowell S. Hawley		(screenplay) (as Lowell S.Hawley)
Johann David Wyss		(novel "Swiss Family Robinson") (as Johann Wyss)

Produced by
Bill Anderson	....	producer
Basil Keys	....	associate producer
Walt Disney	....	producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
William Alwyn

Cinematography by
Harry Waxman		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Peter Boita

Production Design by
John Howell

Set Decoration by
Jack Stephens

Costume Design by
Julie Harris

Makeup Department
Eileen Bates	....	hair stylist
Bill Lodge	....	makeup artist
Charles Nash	....	makeup artist

Production Management
William Hill	....	production manager (as Bill Hill)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Yakima Canutt	....	second unit director
René Dupont	....	assistant director

Art Department
John Hoesli	....	assistant art director
John L. Jensen	....	sketch artist (as John L.Jensen)
Peter Murton	....	assistant art director

Sound Department
John Dennis	....	sound recordist (as John S.Dennis)
Gordon K. McCallum	....	sound recordist (as Gordon K.McCallum)
Les Wiggins	....	sound editor (as Leslie Wiggins)

Special Effects by
Danny Lee	....	special effects (as Dan Lee)
Walter Stones	....	special effects

Visual Effects by
Peter Ellenshaw	....	matte artist

Stunts
Ken Buckle	....	stunts (uncredited)
Chuck Courtney	....	stunts (uncredited)
Evelyn Finley	....	stunts (uncredited)
Loren Janes	....	stunts (uncredited)
Fez Reynolds	....	stunts (uncredited)
Paul Stader	....	stunts (uncredited)
Arnim Tardieu	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Paul Beeson	....	additional photography

Music Department
Muir Mathieson	....	conductor
Buddy Baker	....	composer: additional music "Animal Race" (uncredited)

Other crew
Walt Disney	....	presenter
Fez Reynolds	....	animal trainer: zebra (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Walt Disney Productions (as A Walt Disney Production)

Distributors

• Buena Vista Distribution Company (1960) (USA) (theatrical) (as Buena Vista DISTRIBUTION CO.,INC.)
• RKO (1961) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista Distribution Company (1968) (USA) (theatrical) (re-release)
• Buena Vista Pictures (1968) (USA) (theatrical) (reissue)
• Buena Vista Distribution Company (1972) (USA) (theatrical) (reissue)
• Walt Disney Home Video (1988) (UK) (VHS)
• Buena Vista Home Entertainment (1999) (UK) (VHS)
• Buena Vista Home Entertainment (BVHE) (2002) (USA) (DVD)
• Buena Vista Home Entertainment (2003) (UK) (DVD)
• Walt Disney Filmverleih (1965) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• Audio Visual Enterprises (1990) (Greece) (VHS)
• Gativideo (19??) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Walt Disney Company (UK)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

126 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo | Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Certification:

Finland:S | Sweden:11 | UK:U | West Germany:6 | Australia:G | Iceland:L | USA:Approved (original rating) | USA:G (re-rating) (1968) | Norway:7 (original rating) (cut version) | UK:U (video rating) (1988) (1999) (2003 DVD audio commentary) | UK:U (tv rating) | Argentina:Atp

Filming Locations:

Bacolet Beach, Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago

Company:

Walt Disney Productions

Trivia:

The climactic battle was a direct influence on the final Ewok skirmish in Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983).

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Fritz swings across the pool, swapping vines halfway, just as he is landing on the rock a crew member's hand reaches up into shot, just below his feet.

Quotes:

Ernst Robinson:It's better to use your head than break your back, I always say.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Swiss Family Robinson: Adventure in the Making (2002) (V)

Soundtrack:

O Christmas Tree

Swiss Family Robinson

Pure Disney magic! What a movie....might just be the greatest Disney film of all, might throw in "Pollyanna" and "Song of the South" in there as close competition. What is there not to like? Beautiful photography and a perfect casting of Dorothy McGuire as the mother who is the glue that holds the family together along with the suave British actor John Mills (Hayley's father) as the dad of the family. Great opening scene of foundering ship nearly stuck on a reef during violent storm...family quickly recognizes they will be on the island for the long haul and makes it an island paradise complete with a tree house that the Hilton hotel chain could rent out for big bucks. Family makes use of every scrap of fabric, wood, powder, and weapons as they struggle to survive the hazards of the island they are stranded upon. How in the world did the Disney team transport all of the animals onto that small island for this wonderful film? Zebras, elephants, snakes, tigers, and throw in an ostrich too for a family fun filled ride picnic. Only thing I wondered about was how the entire crew of pirates seem to be madeup of asians....most pirates in films are usually caucasians. Tommy Kirk, Kevin Corcoran, who flew into Tobago days after finishing "Pollyanna" and James McArthur play splendid roles as the three sons who grow up physically and discover themselves as young men on the island. Love the scenes of the watering hole complete with a natural water slide and swinging vines to traipse back and forth on. Janet Munro plays the stranded girl, rescued by McArthur and Kirk, and becomes a tug of war for affection between the two. Just the scenery alone on the island and the lagoons makes me want to visit the filming sight. This is a timeless classic, watch it a couple of times a year and it is just as entertaining the second time as the first. Wish Disney would re-release this film to theatres so you could see it on a big wide screen, preferably Imax. Movies just do not get any better than this one. Perfect film for family viewing.