Customer Reviews

Robinson Crusoe

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

Everyone is pretty much familiar with the classic tale spun by Daniel Defoe.... (Or, if not, they should be.) If such is what the viewer expects from the "Robinson Crusoe" movie, or if you wish to enjoy a good moral, this is not the film for you.
As a person who is fond of all whole and decent tales, I can say truly, after watching this movie, (dubbed inaccurately "Robinson Crusoe") I felt ill. Not that the story was completely re-written, for, as we all know, a re-written story can be excellent at times. But, that through this lame attempt to make the racial issues in "Robinson Crusoe" (the book) palatable to the modern mindset; instead of focusing on the gracious example of Friday, or the moral of the story, this movie seems to wish to overlook any true illustration of decency.... offering, instead, the crippled climax of man's incompetence.

Not wishing the reader to assume this review was written in a furious attempt to squash any chances the movie might have for some mischievous reason of my own, I would like to assure all who may look upon these words, this is as unprejudiced and accurate a report as possible.

The best that may be said for this film is that the actor, (Pierce Brosnan) did show some talent in portraying George Miller and Rod Hardy's mediocre account of Robinson.
Though other of Pierce Brosnan's rolls are a deal more enjoyable, no one can quite dislike him, no matter the ruffian he plays. Though it comes close, I admit.
For the storyline itself, I leave you to rely on previous reviews, which, I'm sure will do a thorough job depicting and dissecting this fable.

I don't know how the plot of this film compares with the book - I read it so long ago that I remember only Crusoe, Friday, and the bad guys from the other island, all of whom are here. What I can say is that this is an elegantly filmed, well-acted survival story. It grabs you right at the beginning and holds its intensity right through to the end. Pierce Brosnan is excellent as Robinson Crusoe. (I like him best in films where he has a chance to do more than look pretty such as "Taffin," "The Heist," "The Tailor of Panama," and "Evelyn," along with this one.) And William Takaku makes a believable Friday. In this version, Crusoe goes through hell, but comes home to a happy ending.

What can I say? I liked this movie. This is the story of Robinson Crusoe, a shipwrecked Scottish noble. (Okay, I admit it, I read the original book, but I've completely forgotten most of it, it was a little over 15 years ago).

I found this book to be quite nice, even without the literary comparison. Brosnan plays a character well entrenched in the ways of his time. He is in self-imposed exile, traveling from place to place, until misfortune in the form of a shipwreck leaves him abandoned on a deserted island with only a dog for companionship.

Eventually befriending a native, (Friday) Crusoe learns crucial lessons on what it means to be a human being, and alters his perceptions on slavery and the human condition.

Overall, despite a few peccadilloes (Brosnan's Scottish accent was sometimes a little 'slurred') I quite enjoyed this movie. I recommend it for anyone who likes Pierce and can overlook the fact that it doesn't follow the book to the letter.

Having read the actual book "Robinson Crusoe" I can admit that this movie does not follow the book; it doesn't even come close to it. But you know what? Who cares! I understand that people who are faithful to the 1700's book Robinson Crusoe will give this movie bad reviews because of how different it is from the book but I don't care. A movie is a movie and a book is a book. There are books with the same names as movies but don't have the same plot, so what of it?

This movie is just a pure gem. The main character, Crusoe, needs to go through some serious anger management. Poor ol' Friday didn't deserve half of the tongue he got! Either way, I am sure that if this story were true it would pan out in a similar order as to what happened in this movie; especially the part on God.

"Friday, you can't worship a crocodile!" HAHAHA. This movie is great. It has humor in certain small parts, but mainly it is a drama. I cried at the end...I will admit it. Don't take my word on the theme, though. I thought Peter Pan was a comedy when I saw it in a drama theater. It turns out that it was a deep and dark drama. :-/!

5/5
John McAdam:
Were Ancient Gods From Other Planets?
Am I Mad or Coherent?

I must admit that I never read the original story or saw any other versions of this movie. I knew nothing about the story other than it was about a guy stranded on an island who met a "savage" he named Friday. Because of this I had no real expectations from the start and I found the movie captivating. I was never bored, I thought the acting was good. (The one bad part was the "goof" in the sunset scene after the storm where you could see a "no swimming" sign and white painted palms on the beach.) Ooops!
Overall, I think if you don't have certain expectations, it is an enjoyable and entertaining movie.

Robinson Crusoe starring Pierce Brosnan as our hero, is a good film adaptation overall that I would recommend. It is almost entirely without nudity (one brief scene, Crusoe's girl from behind) and it hits a lot of the points about the book that make it a useful educational tool such as how Crusoe got his supplies off the wrecked ship, built his "castle", fought cannibals and lived his life. The movie does go places the book by Daniel Defoe never goes, such as a conflict with Crusoe and Friday over religion (Friday becomes a Christian in the book). Also the reason for Crusoe's exile is a duel about the above mentioned woman, and that is nowhere in the book. The film should be used educationally only if the the original story is also covered so a comparison can be made. Ideally, a modern film more faithful to the original could someday be made. Until then, this film does a good job.

When I first considered buying this movie I was hesitant due to the fact that it had been remade so many times. However, I bought it anyway being curious about the change of acting venue for Pierce Brosnan. I have to admit I was very pleasantly surprised. I have watched it more than once and enjoy it more each time. While this is not typical of the Pierce Brosnan we know, ie James Bond type. It is a well done movie that the whole family can enjoy together. Of course it is not exactly true to the book, but then no movie is that I know of. Robinson Crusoe, is a story, just that and enjoyable to watch. To see Mr. Brosnan in another realm of acting is great, he shows his numerous talents throughout. I am glad I decided to buy it and look forward to other movies of the same caliber.

... I would have cast the roles a little differently. But it works with these Actors.

good story line, good scenery....interesting...Brosnan is usually such a light weight to me in most movies...too stuffy, bit I really liked his character in this movie...

average movie. Nice to see Pierce Brosnan with a beard.
Not much action, but how much action can you have stranded in the Pacific?