Rating: 
Summary: Classic Disney adventure -- Superlative DVD release
Review: The folks at Walt Disney Home Video have put together four excellent new "Vault Disney" releases that truly showcase DVD technology at its best. "Swiss Family Robinson," one of Walt Disney's best-loved live-action adventures, benefits immensely from DVD technology, especially the wide-screen presentation and THX restored picture and sound quality. The widescreen alone would have satisfied most fans, so the plethora of extras on the supplemental disc are truly special. I have never seen a DVD with so many extras presented in such a creative and easily accessible way. Thank you to everyone at Walt Disney Home Video for this wonderful DVD. Hopefully, more titles will follow in this series (like Third Man on the Mountain, Darby O'Gill and the Little People, The Moonspinners, and Summer Magic) and ALL Disney DVD's will be released in their original theatrical ratios
Rating:
Summary: this LOADED dvd deserves more than 5 stars
Review: I strongly reccommend! This has to be one of the most fun family films Walt Disney ever made. And the 2 disc DVD treatment that Disney gave this film is perfect. It is Widescreen first of all, maybe it is the first widescreen release outside of theatres ever done for the film. And what a diffenrence in makes in the beautiful island vistas of the film. The DVD transfer itself is well done, with lush colors, great image and depth, great sound, it just sparkles.The movie was filmed on location on the tropical island of Tobago. While the production went way over budget, Walt did not get mad at the time since the film was worth it. Featuring loads of animals, comedy, action, suspense, pirates, and tropical scenery this was a hard adventure film to beat. And similar to the role the Nautilus filled in "20,000 Leagues Below the Sea", the treehouse becoems a star in it's own right. The invenetive home designed by the castaways from the ship salvage is incredible to behold. An audio commentary as an alternate track features comments from casr and crew. The extras on this DVD are what really make it a treasure, and they are not all listed here at Amazon or even on the packaging. You have to hunt it down and get creative with your remote. So let me help by telling you what to look for if you buy this... For starters they have the original cartoon that was released with the movie, "Sea Salts" allowing you to see this with the kids the way that it is meant to be seen. There is a 2 minute "1960 Disney Studio Album", a montage of projects, attractions, shows, and films being made and released that year. Next we have 23 minutes from an old Walt Disney television episode titled "Escape to Paradise", that includes the parts of that episode that show the making of the film. Up next is original 1960 movie theatre trailers for the film, and 1960 televison spots. Then there are "Storyboard to Scene Comparisons"; a seperate "Storyboard Gallery"; and a 2 minute "Production Gallery" of photo stills from behind the scenes at location. Another gallery of production stills; "Biographies" on 8 principle actors; and "Concept Art" on the film design work. A featurette titled "Adventure in the Making" was made just for this set, and at 49:00 minutes long it is very complete, with recent interviews of the original cast and crew. There is great behind the scenes footage in this piece, and the folks regale us with funny stories. Peter Elleshaw (matte artist), Ken Annakin (director), Danny Lee (special effects), and actors John Mills, Tommy Kirk, Kevin Corcoran are all here. ANOTHER short 4 minute featurette that was also made just for this set is "Swiss Family Treehouse" narrated by Hayley Mills, it is the pre-opening footage and the actual Opening Ceremony of the Swiss Family Robinson's Treehouse (now gone) at the Disneyland Park. Walt is really enjoying himself in this must see footage. Included on the set is a very nice 12 minute interview with James MacArthur, who appeared in this film and 3 others for Disney along with a TV movie. This features great video as well. There is a "Pirates" music video of clips from Disney films, tv shows, cartoons, and the theme park to the tune of "Yo HO Yo HO A Pirates Life For Me". Another unusual feature has 20 minutes of excerpts from the 1940 non-disney version of the film. The set has Audio Archives set to photos from the film, including 2 Interactive SOund Studios, 2 songs from the film, original 1960 radio spots, and the soundtrack of the original merchandise Storybook Album released on LP in 1960. I really enjoyed this DVD, I wish all the really good classic Disney films got at least some of this kingly treatment. They are the best studio about protecting their old source material, archives, etc, and are in the best position to place intruiging extras with the movie. Thank YOU Disney for this compilation that really honors this gem of a film the way it should be!!!!
Rating:
Summary: ALL AGES
Review: This is a classic for all ages. We have watched the video over and over as a family and now need it in DVD. From my 3 yr. old niece, to my now teenage son, and my husband and I, and even my parents, it continues to draw us in. I believe its lure is that everyone can find a character to identify with, and long to prove their mettle on the island. I love introducing new generations to this tale.
Rating: 
Summary: FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY...
Review: You can't get much more wholesome than this. This film definitely has the Disney stamp all over it. The Swiss Family Robinson are on their way to New Guinea. Chased by pirates on the high seas, their ship runs up against a reef, and they find themselves shipwrecked by a deserted tropical island. They manage to get themselves and all their belongings and animals ashore, intact and none the worse for wear. They even survive a shark attack. The mother, played by the lovely Dorothy MaGuire, is always clean, perfectly groomed and coiffed. The father, played by the wonderful English actor, John Mills, is positively cheerful the entire film. Talk about optimism. His three sons, played by the hunky James MacArthur, the adorable Tommy Kirk, and the cute-as-a-button Kevin Corcoran, work tirelessly to make their new home into an island paradise. In record time, they build a multi-level house to die for, high up in the trees. Somehow, they manage to get a pipe organ off the wrecked ship, ashore, and up into their multi-level tree house, so that they can sing Christmas Carols at the appropriate time. Kevin Corcoran even has a baby elephant for a pet, and they parade around their sculpted lawn which is surrounded by what appears to be an English garden. After a while, two of the boys set out on a home made sail boat to check the terrain around the island. Their boat capsizes and crashes on the rocks, when they notice pirates ashore, the very same ones who had bothered them before. Now, the pirates appear to be holding two males captive, an old man and a young boy. The two Robinson boys help the young boy escape, while the older man tells them to leave him, as he will be ransomed. The boys go off with their young companion in tow, while chased by the pirates. They manage to thwart the pirates and get back to the safety of their home on the other side of the island. In the meantime, they discover that the "boy" is really a girl, delightfully played by Janet Munro, and the older man was her grandfather. The two older boys are sweet on her, which causes a little fun loving tension. As the pirates are now aware that they are on the island, they set up all sorts of ingenious defenses. When the pirates do come a calling, they capably battle off a horde of pirates without injury to themselves. Just as the pirates are in flight, a ship comes to the rescue led by the grandfather, who seems to have been ransomed and rescued in no time, and managed to get a sailing ship to the island to recue them, lickety split. Who in their right mind, however, would ever want to be rescued from this magical island, where nothing can possibly go wrong, and everyone loves each other. Pure Disney fantasy, this film is a lot of fun to watch and, better yet, can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Rating:
Summary: When Disney really was DISNEY
Review: I think it was very kids fantasy back in 1960 to have this wonderful life style of living like the Swiss Family Robinson. At least i know it was that way for me. I can't begin to tell you how many times i saw that film when i was a kid. I never had the chance to see it again until recently and when i did with the new 5.1 THX Sound i was blown away. Floods of memories came over my body and i felt like a kid again.This is a timeless classic for every kid young and old. This is also a lavash production produced by the magic of Walt Disney himself. Movies like this just don't exist anymore. This movie is pure, funny, romantic, with real life lessons of survival and wonderful fantasy. After seeing this movie now that i'm 54, i really find myself missing the great Mr. Disney. This is truly a wonderful addition to your collection and a wonderful part of Americana.
Rating:
Summary: Classic Disney adventure -- Superlative DVD release
Review: The folks at Walt Disney Home Video have put together four excellent new "Vault Disney" releases that truly showcase DVD technology at its best. "Swiss Family Robinson," one of Walt Disney's best-loved live-action adventures, benefits immensely from DVD technology, especially the wide-screen presentation and THX restored picture and sound quality. The widescreen alone would have satisfied most fans, so the plethora of extras on the supplemental disc are truly special. I have never seen a DVD with so many extras presented in such a creative and easily accessible way. Thank you to everyone at Walt Disney Home Video for this wonderful DVD. Hopefully, more titles will follow in this series (like Third Man on the Mountain, Darby O'Gill and the Little People, The Moonspinners, and Summer Magic) and ALL Disney DVD's will be released in their original theatrical ratios
Rating: 
Summary: Don't waste your time or money
Review: Don't bother wasting your time or money on this movie. I don't care about the quality of the cinematography, the quality of the story is what is lacking. From the elmination of Jack, one of the Robinson children, to the blatant disregard for absolutely any speck of information from the book, this film will make you cringe in horror. Rather, go get the original book, and curl up with your family and read. It's a better use of your time than watching this garbage. It doesn't deserve the one star I was forced to give it.
Rating:
Summary: A great adventure film
Review: I saw this movie about every other week growing up, and I still think it is the best of a slew of great Disney films from the 70's. I think anyone can appreciate this movie. It has a moral sensibility you dont find in movies these days and the pace and flow are very distinct as well. Disney flicks from this era are period pieces of a sort and they don't deliver the bang of a modern film. Even so, they resonate somehow and I heartily reccomend this one and others like Old Yeller, Where the Red Fern Grows, Hot Lead and Cold Feet, Bullwhip Griffin and a host of other Disney fare from that era. With all the new tools available to Hollywood today you can lose the ability to enjoy films like this, so buy some and pop them in the DVD player on a rainy afternoon.
Rating:
Summary: I Love This Movie
Review: I Just GOt My DVD on Saturday. I haven't even had time to look at all of the special features yet but I love the fact that when they put this out on DVD that they did a specail edition 2 Disc DVD. I always loved this movie with John Mills, Dorothy McGuire, James MacArthur, Tommy Kirk, Kevin Corcoran. I suggest this movie to anyone who likes good clean Disney fun. Here is a breaf story line for anyone who has never watched this movie. The Robinsons get shipwrecked on a island. And they have all sorts of adventrues. This is just a great movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Not as good as I had remembered....
Review: I know this is an older film, but it was much more sexist than I had remembered and I won't be encouraging my daughter to watch it. And the way the pirates were portrayed bothered me as well, racist overtones and stereo typical. Just not the "family" film I expected it to be.
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