This is a very typical Disney family film (the way they used to do it those days) with very few surprises. The film also can't make up its mind if it wants to be a comedy or drama, and wants to appeal to a young or mature demographic. It would work best for a young demographic, as they are not so sensitive to predictability and a plot not taken seriously. The character actions are lackluster to say the least - especially from main character Noah (Elliott Gould). They also seem to through caution to the wind for the sake of a family adventure. Nothing here is credible. If you just want a fun adventure film for a lazy Sunday afternoon, then maybe this is your cup of tea.

Despite real talent in this movie -- Charles Jarrott directing Genevieve Bujold and Elliot Gould from a story originally written by Ernest Gann, this one is a real misfire.

Gould is the pilot of a B-29 Superfortress converted to island-hopping cargo. He's got a load of assorted animals, missionary Bujold, and a couple of kids, including the always-annoying Ricky Schroeder. They crash land on a Pacific island where they encounter two Japanese soldiers who don't know the war is over. Eventually everyone makes friends and they convert the plane to a boat to try to get back to civilization.

The problems with the movie seem to stem from its script and Disney's uncertainty of what this movie was supposed to be. It borrows from several other movies, including FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX, SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON and FATHER GOOSE to sheer adventure on the high seas and vague Biblical references, with no consistency of tone, and no real character engagement. Each actor seems to be playing a one-note character, only to switch gears as the plot dictates.

I blame Ron Miller, in his last credit as producer, at the trough of Disney's post-Walt era. After this, it was back to the office and only "Executive Producer" credits as Disney's CEO, where he tackled the company's problems by eventually replacing himself with abler movie people.

When high-living pilot Noah Dugan (Elliott Gould) agrees to fly prim missionary Bernadette Lafleur (Genevieve Bujold) and her cargo of animals formed by an array of minor-menagerie (such as goats , bulls , assorted poultry , pigs , sheep and a four-legged potential scene-stealer : a cow , among others) to a far island , it is only because he is on the run from a pair of hoodlums (two bookies played by notorious secondaries : John P. Ryan and Dana Elcar) . What neither of them know is that two of Miss Lafleur's little pupils (Rick Schroder , Tammy Lauren) have stowed away hidden into plane rear . As a Boeing B 29 carrying various animals makes a forced landing on a desert island, and the only chance to escape is to convert the broken-down plane into a boat . There they discover which it is not as abandoned as they thought. Then they meet two Japanese soldiers isolated from second world war .

This amusing Disney movie packs fun situations , easygoing characters , emotions , humor and features impressive flying sequences with a Boeing B-29 Superfortress . However , it failed at box office and was panned by some reviewers , but is today well considered . Enjoyable cast , whose roster of interpretations includes a sympathetic acting by Elliott Gould as a pilot who must scheme their way off a deserted island following the crash landing and attractive Genevieve Bujold who holds her own admirably . And two likable little boys playing as orphans, Rick Schroder and Tammy Lauren , both of whom would have an important career , especially in TV . Furthermore , two Japanese actor as Yuki Shimoda as Hiro and John Fujioka as Cleveland , the latter would play one year later : "Keep Your Hands Off the Island" a similar role along with Terence Hill and Bud Spencer . Nice production design by Preston Ames , five B-29 Superfortresses were acquired in the spectacular flying images . One was used for interior shots at the Disney studio. Another was used for night sequences afloat in MGM's outdoor tank. The third was used for the crash site on the island and the fourth was made into the floating Noah's Ark. Colorful and bright cinematography by Charles Wheeler . Agreeable musical score by the prestigious Maurice Jarre , including some catching songs .

The motion picture was well directed by Charles Jarrott , recently deceased . Jarrot's filmmaking largely keeps sentimentality throughout . Charles was a brilliant craftsman who directed all kind of genres , and he stood out in his historical movies as ¨Mary , Queen of Scots¨ and ¨Anne of the Thousand days¨. He directed adventure as ¨The Dove¨, dramas as ¨The other side of midnight¨ , Biography as ¨Boy in blue¨ , thriller as ¨The amateur¨ , TV movies as ¨Night of the fox¨ , ¨Daniel Steel's changes¨ , ¨Barbara Hutton story¨ and Disney movies as ¨The littlest horse thieves¨, Condorman¨ and this ¨The last flight of Noah ark¨. Rating : 6.5/10 . Worthwhile seeing .