TheLittleSongbird While there is a slight personal preference for the 1960 Disney film, which is much more familiar to me, this 1940 film adaptation of 'Swiss Family Robinson' should be better known and unfortunately can only really be found on a too darkly lit and blurry VHS. It is a film worthy of a DVD, and a remastered one at that.As an adaptation of the book (which is a very fun, suspenseful and thought-provoking read), this is the more faithful adaptation with more of the book's events intact, better performances from the kids generally and a darker tone. For me though, the later Disney film is better made, has the better played Elizabeth, has a more fitting music score especially in the opening storm sequence (not knocking the music here though) and who cannot resist that treehouse? Judging it as a standalone and moving on from the VHS issues, the only problems this reviewer found with the film were some draggy pacing in parts and Edna Best's stiff and overacted Elizabeth. Although the VHS does the production values no justice, the settings and costumes are very nicely mounted and it's nicely photographed. The Oscar-nominated special effects in the storm sequences impress and the storm sequences themselves though a touch overlong are spectacularly authentic with a real sense of danger.'Swiss Family Robinson' is rousingly and lusciously scored, securely directed and intelligently scripted. There is more of the book's story here, and scenes like the salvage trips to the reef-bound brig, the lessons in candle-making and ostrich-taking, the recipe for Elizabeth's fish stew are portrayed in an amusing and exciting manner, same with the spider bite which does have a good deal of suspense. The characters have lost none of their charm and appeal, while the animals are sweet and well trained.Best aside, the acting is good with a perfectly cast Thomas Mitchell and a delightful Freddie Bartholomew coming out on top. An uncredited Orson Welles brings his distinctive booming voice to the narration, which doesn't make the mistake of being over-used or over-explanatory.In conclusion, very well done and unfortunately unjustly forgotten. 8/10 Bethany Cox

jdev3611 Purchased a VHS copy of this film from AMAZON years ago. The quality is the worst I have ever seen. I should have returned it. Almost unwatchable. My memories of this film go back to grammar school and watching it in the auditorium of my catholic school in West Philadelphia. I remember the scary giant spider scene! Disney should restore the film and release it to the public. Disney has historical interesting films like this and Song of the South which they refuse to release in the United States for silly reasons . The actors in this film did an excellent job of giving the viewer the feel of being on an island and the thought of never returning to civilized life

dbborroughs SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON in the pre-Disney edition starred Thomas Mitchell as the father who ships off his family in the hopes of making his children men. Its an often good looking film that is much too slow to really be of much interest. Frankly part of the problem is that the film takes 20 minutes to get to the point where the family ends up on the island. and by then you just want then to get on with it. The rest of them film is them building and rebuilding their shelters as storms come. The high point of the film is a spider bite late in the game. I can kind of see why my mom loved this film but I also know why its fallen by the wayside. 5 out of 10

lousvr Saw this "Thomas Mitchell" Swiss FR years, decades ago broadcasted on TV. In fact during the 50's and 60's this wonderful movie would be shown often. It was just a great kids adventure movie, and is simply the best of them all. Would be great to see it now, but...