I first saw this during it's initial theatrical release when I was 6 years old and of course immediately loved it and have seen it several times over the years. It's one of those family classics that even though it's dated it seems to live on forever entertaining new generations. A great live-action film from the Disney studios. When many years after I first saw this movie, I first visited Disneyland in 1984, the first thing I wanted to see was the Swiss Family Treehouse exhibit. The attraction had lost it's luster and I was the inly one visiting it. They've since turned it into Tarzan's tree house from what I understand. The movie doesn't lose it's luster and the tree house is the film's central attraction. It does seem a little unbelievable that a family who could construct such a fantastic structure why couldn't they use those same skills to repair their ship wreck or build a new ship to take them away from the island? This is beautifully photographed by cinematographer Harry Waxman, John Howell is the production designer and Jack Stephens is the set decorator. Ken Annakin who directed several adventure films is the director. Lowell S. Hawley who was one of the writers on Disney's Zoro TV series wrote the screenplay in his adaptation of the Johann David Wyss novel. John Mills and Dorothy McGuire play the parents and James McArthur, Tommy Kirk and Kevin Corcoran are their sons in the story of a family shipwrecked on a remote island with dangerous animals and the threat of bloodthirsty pirates in the waters. Janet Munro, Sessue Hayakawa and Cecil Parker round out the cast. I would give this an 8.5 out of 10.

Most people today would have no idea that the famous Disney version of "Swiss Family Robinson" was not the first version of this famous novel. There was a 1940 version by RKO but Disney bought up the rights for this prior film in order to destroy the negatives...to kind of hide the fact that their film was not the first. the exact same thing happened with "Gaslight". The famous Oscar-winning Hollywood version of 1944 was actually preceded by a British version from 1940 that was at least as good...perhaps better. But MGM didn't want folks comparing the two or even realizing there were two versions and so they bought the rights and destroyed the prints. But in both cases, somehow at least one copy did not get destroyed...and watching both versions would make for a great double-feature. In the case of "Swiss Family Robinson", this is easy if you subscribe to Disney+....as they have both films on this site. I just watched the 1940 version and I'll be comparing it to the later Disney one.

1. The 1940 version had a backstory before the Robinsons were aboard the ship that became derelict. The children were growing into jerks and Mr. Robinson insisted they all move to Australia to get them to a healthier environment. Mrs. Robinson pretty much complained the entire film after this. In the 1960 film, the story began on the boat as it became stuck on the reef and Mrs. Robinson (thankfully) wasn't so whiny.

2. The latter film is in gorgeous color and has lovely location shooting in Trinidad (specifically, the island of Tobago),whereas the earlier one looked like it was filmed on a sound stage...which it was.

3. The 1960 version made a TON of money...the 1940 one wasn't so successful.

4. In the 1960 film, the family is traveling to New Guinea to start a new life. In the novel and 1940 film it was Australia. I assume they changed the location in order to justify animals like tigers and elephants being on this deserted island. However, I have no idea why zebras, cheetahs and hyenas are on this island!! I was almost expecting to see dinosaurs at some point!

5. Disney added a lady love interest and pirates that were not in the original film nor novel. In fact, MUCH of the original novel is missing from the 1960 film and IMDB indicates about 90% of the material was new! If you like films that are true to the original source material, the 1940 movie is for you.

6. Reportedly the animals used in the 1960 version were mistreated...animal lovers might blanch at some of the scenes because of this.

7. If you are very phobic about snakes, DON'T watch the 1960 version...just don't!

8. Somehow the Robinsons misplaced their youngest son, Franz, and he's never mentioned in the movie.

9. The newer movie is all about action and adventure. The older is about relationships and the family (especially the wife) second-guessing William Robinson't decision to move abroad.

10. There are many more differences...some of which are minor and picky. So, I'm stopping here so I don't come off as a total nut!

The two films are very different...and the Disney one is action-packed and more designed for kids. Both are enjoyable....but the story so different I suggest you see them both. Both are fun...the Disney one is just more fun!

First things off, I absolutely loved the book when I was a kid, but haven't read it for a long time. But I have always loved this film, and at 17 years old I still think it is an absolutely delightful Disney film and perfect for the whole family. Is it the best Disney film ever? Personally, I think not, then again I love Disney so much I cannot choose though I will say Beauty and the Beast especially has been the one that has always captivated me.

Swiss Family Robinson is nothing short of excellent. It has wonder, adventure and suspense, with all these elements all of which are crucial for a family film what more can you ask for. The direction from Ken Annakin is rock solid, and the music from William Alwyn is especially stirring. The cinematography is lush, the sets are imaginative and striking and the costumes are lavish. While perhaps slow to begin with, the film has lots of action, pirates and wild animals. The story while not especially faithful to the book, is compelling holds a certain nostalgic value and the screenplay is fun enough.

The acting is very good. John Mills was a fine actor, and he is excellent as Father Robinson, and Dorothy McGuire in perfect makeup is even better as Mother Robinson. Appealing performances from James McArthur, Tommy Kirk and Kevin Cocoran help too and Sessue Hayakawa makes an imposing and menacing Pirate Chief, in fact while very attractive Janet Munro is the only one who doesn't quite convince as Roberta, but everything else is so good I am willing to overlook. Other than that, this film is delightful, and teaches some nice family values including bravery, loyalty, honour, creativity and resourcefulness. 10/10 Bethany Cox