Swiss Family Robinson

1940
1h 33m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Freddie Bartholomew, Edna Best, Tim Holt, Terry Kilburn, Thomas Mitchell, and Bobbie Quillan in Swiss Family Robinson (1940)

A family of Swiss origin living in London during the onslaught against Europe by Napolean seeks to leave and emigrate to Australia to nurture their values and raise their sons.A family of Swiss origin living in London during the onslaught against Europe by Napolean seeks to leave and emigrate to Australia to nurture their values and raise their sons.A family of Swiss origin living in London during the onslaught against Europe by Napolean seeks to leave and emigrate to Australia to nurture their values and raise their sons.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.3/10

860

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 1 nomination total

Photos32

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
In the 1960s Walt Disney remade "Swiss Family Robinson", The Disney Studios bought up the rights to the 1940 version produced and distributed by RKO, then Walt Disney confiscated all known prints of RKO Radio Pictures version so there wouldn't be comparisons to the Disney remake. Luckily there were a few survivors to this cinematic holocaust, so the film survives today, much to the relief of film historians and preservationists.

Quotes
Jack Robinson: The little lady Angela has perfect claim on me now.
Elizabeth Robinson: So serious, at your age?
Jack Robinson: With five million in the family stocking, my duck. Though it can't last long, thank heaven. I shall lie about my age and marry the little doll.
Elizabeth Robinson: Jack!
Jack Robinson: I mean it, mother. And if father doesn't interfere, I shall do it quicker than I can say Jack Robinson.

Alternate versions
Also exists in a version running 108 minutes (15 minutes longer than the generally available print). This 108-minute version was shown at a classic film festival in the United States in the late-1990s/early-2000s.

Connections
Referenced in Spring on the Korean Peninsula (1941)

User reviews22

Review

Featured review

7/10

Entertaining flick from 1940

I thought I'd give this a watch before watching the Disney remake, given they are both on the latter's streaming service. I like 1940's 'Swiss Family Robinson', though there are many ways it could be improved upon which is what I hope the 1960 production does.

This one, made by RKO Pictures, is enjoyable. The action sequences look decent enough, the acting is solid while the premise is very intriguing. I rate the film almost from start-to-finish, the moments which make up that last part disappoints unfortunately - the ending doesn't really make sense.

Thomas Mitchell (William) and Freddie Bartholomew (Jack) are my standout characters, both of those two give good performances. Edna Best & Co. are all fine, though. It's with Best's character that makes the finale poor in my eyes. I won't spoil what happens, but it doesn't work in my opinion - especially in connection with what else occurs.

Those criticisms of mine stop me from placing this higher. However, it is still an entertaining flick from 1940.