"The Adventures of Swiss Family Robinson" (1998) TV series

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Declan Eames

Writer:

Harry Duffin (writer)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

18 January 1999 (Finland)

Cast

Gareth Howells

...

Ben Thomas (30 episodes, 1998)

(more)

Series Directed by
Declan Eames		(unknown episodes)

Series Writing credits
Raymond Thompson		(30 episodes, 1998)
Harry Duffin		(unknown episodes)

Series Produced by
Raymond Thompson	....	executive producer (30 episodes, 1998)

Series Original Music by
Simon May		(30 episodes, 1998)

Series Production Management
Geoff Husson	....	executive in charge of production (unknown episodes)

Series Art Department
Kate Highfield	....	art department manager (30 episodes, 1998)
Nick Riera	....	property master (29 episodes, 1998)
Troy Stephens	....	scenic artist (29 episodes, 1998)

Series Sound Department
Corrin Ellingford	....	boom operator (unknown episodes)
Ken Saville	....	sound recordist (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Roger Feenstra	....	first assistant camera (30 episodes, 1998)
Bryce Swainson	....	second assistant camera (30 episodes, 1998)

Series Transportation Department
Eric Houghton	....	driver: cast (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Andrew Calder	....	production accountant (unknown episodes)
Eric Houghton	....	stand-in (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Cloud Nine Entertainment

Distributors

• Cumulus Distribution (1998) (worldwide) (all media)

Country:

New Zealand

Company:

Cloud Nine Entertainment

Fun family adventure syndicated series

New to DVD, you can find the complete series set of this fun family adventure series at your local Best Buy. Based on the classic novel, Richard Thomas (John Boy of The Waltons) heads a cast of unknowns in this castaway adventure, playing the patriarch to the Robinson clan as they struggle to survive pirates, wildlife, weather, disease and each other on their mysterious island. Their adventures are simple enough yet fun to watch. It's obvious that the show was made on a low budget for syndication purposes, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment. If anything, I found it enhanced the viewing as kind of a pure guilty pleasure. Basically, it's good wholesome family entertainment, just don't look for Shakespeare here.

The only other actor American audiences might recognize is Kieren Hutchison, who plays oldest son Ernst. Hutchison had a recurring guest role on One Tree Hill as the Australian boyfriend to the mother of Chad Michael Murray's character. However, my favorite character ended up being Ben, played by Gareth Howells, the reluctant accomplice of the series' main villain. I found myself really falling in love with this lost soul, who is caught between following the wrong path while longing to do what's right. Howells was a revelation, and I hope to see him in other productions in the future.

The show plays out in ten separate story arcs of three episodes each, for a total of 30 episodes, and wraps up nicely in the end. Not sure if that was planned from the start, but appreciated it for its nice overall story. Oh, and the settings are absolutely breath-taking. I'd love to be trapped on this island with the Robinsons...

-Dane Hill