Crusoe (1988)

Robinson Crusoe is shipwrecked and he finds himself all alone on a tropical island. With a few tools he manages to rescue from the wreck he has to learn to support himself until help arrives.

Director:

Caleb Deschanel

Writers:

Daniel Defoe (book), Walon Green (screenplay)

Stars:

Aidan Quinn, Ade Sapara, Elvis Payne

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Aidan Quinn	...	Crusoe
Elvis Payne	...	Runaway Slave
Richard D. Sharp	...	Colcol (as Richard Sharp)
Colin Bruce	...	Clerk
William Hootkins	...	Auctioneer
Shane Rimmer	...	Mr. Mather
Jimmy Nail	...	Tatik
Patrick Monckton	...	Cook (as Patrick Monkton)
Chris Pitt	...	Kitchen Lad
James Kennedy	...	Capt. Harding
Timothy Spall	...	Rev. Milne (as Tim Spall)
Ade Sapara	...	The Warrior
Hepburn Graham	...	Lucky
Raymond Johnson	...	1st Victim
Ricco Ross	...	2nd Victim

Storyline

Robinson Crusoe is shipwrecked and he finds himself all alone on a tropical island. With a few tools he manages to rescue from the wreck he has to learn to support himself until help arrives.

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Plot Keywords:

character name as title | surname as title | robinson crusoe character | friday character | island | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 March 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Крузо

Filming Locations:

Avala Studios, Belgrade, Serbia

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,010, 2 April 1989

Gross USA:

$315,421

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$315,421

Company Credits

Production Co:

Island Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was first announced in 1973.

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Goofs

When Crusoe comes up from the hull of the ship, after salvaging provisions, there is a CINDER BLOCK in the frame behind Mr. Quinns "Crusoe" character. Cinder blocks were not used until the 1920's.

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Connections

Version of Little Robinson Crusoe (1924)

User Reviews

Better than other versions

Several years ago my brother and I tried, largely in vain, to find a Robinson Crusoe film adaptation that satisfied our deep curiosity with the story. We had read the fabulous work and knew its major themes, so searching for a visual adaptation was exciting. We found one version with Pierce Brosnan and then a black and white one, both of which were not fulfilling. This movie picks up the quest for a visual characterization of Daniel Defoe's title character and leaves me somewhat satisfied, at least more so than the previous ones I've seen. Missing the first few minutes, I began in on the movie just after Crusoe is shipwrecked. The film has great visuals and moves from one event/occurrence to another pretty steadily, but it was lacking in both depth of the Crusoe character and a general study of the character's relationship to nature and God, two aspects that the original story effectively focuses on. I did not experience a depth of connection with Aidan Quinn, who played Crusoe, and it feels like he is more just a random character in a made for TV movie rather than the rugged, time tested, and matured Robinson Crusoe I tend to imagine. I kept hoping the movie would have a "7" or "14" or even "21 years later" scene where we gasp and wonder how the time has changed Crusoe and wonder what he's been up to, like in "Cast Away" with Chuck Nolan. While there are some touching moments, I give it 6/10 stars for the previous reasons. I wanted a more integrated piece that zeroes in on the man Robinson Crusoe rather than a film that jumps from one island event to another and doesn't return to the title character and his story. Still, it's watchable.