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Swiss Family Robinson

Play trailer Poster for Swiss Family Robinson G 1960 2h 8m Kids & Family Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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81% Tomatometer 21 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
In this family film, the Robinson clan -- mother, father (John Mills) and their three sons, Fritz, Ernst and Francis -- flee the reign of Napoleon to start afresh in New Guinea. When their ship gets damaged en route, the family takes refuge on a deserted island. The Robinsons learn to live in the wild, have various adventures and build an impressive house in a tree. However, while island life is full of excitement, whether to return to civilization looms.
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Swiss Family Robinson

Swiss Family Robinson

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Critics Consensus

Wholesome and energetic, the ingenious Swiss Family Robinson guides us through a thrilling adventure that leaves us wondering whether modern civilization is all it's cracked up to be.

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Critics Reviews

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TIME Magazine 03/09/2009
The Swiss Family Robinson, like most of Walt Disney's screen versions of the children's classics, is good Disney and bad culture. Go to Full Review Steven D. Greydanus Decent Films 02/11/2006
B+
Chock-full of exotic locations and animals, desert-island DIY ingenuity, and high-spirited excitement, with a poignant subplot involving the rivalry of the two elder sons. Go to Full Review Howard Thompson New York Times 05/10/2005
It's hard to imagine how the picture could be better as a rousing, humorous and gentle-hearted tale of family love amid primitive isolation and dangers. Go to Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand 03/12/2022
As a tale of hardship and pioneer pluck, the tale is pure fantasy, but as entertainment its energetic and appealing. Go to Full Review Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine 10/31/2019
The famous 1813 novel by Johann Wyss has been turned into a fine adventure film under Walt Disney's supervision, although purists may resent the way the original narrative has been souped up with pirates and other innovations. Go to Full Review Rachel Wagner Rachel's Reviews (YouTube) 06/27/2019
This feels like a believable family, even if the treehouse is a little over the top. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Adelay C. @27adeco Jun 15 This movie is special to me as it is that childhood movie I return to again and again. The story never gets old, and, for a dated movie, most of the scenes have held up surprisingly well. See more Mike H @RT53689244 Mar 15 Watched it with the young grandkids. Old movies could have a bit of violence but not smash you in the face with its gore and brutality. Like playing with plastic soldiers when you're a kid. Great watch for the 10 and under crowd. Good morals and solid, easily followed story line. The good guys win and the family unit is at the top of life again. See more James H @RT51557711 Nov 2 One of my favourtie movies as a kid, many will say it did not age well, but as is this is a fun movie and looks like it was a whole chalenge to film. Will show this to my kids when the time comes. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Oct 17 Success in 2 hours and 8 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Wesley H. @historynerdnumber1 07/27/2025 Loved this movie. See more Michael T @RT92276691 01/25/2025 All time classic family film, a rare case of a movie being far better than the book. The menagerie of animals is a bit ridiculous in modern light, but the story is charming with enough excitement to carry through. See more Read all reviews
Swiss Family Robinson

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Cast & Crew

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Ken Annakin

Director

John Mills

Father Robinson

Dorothy McGuire

Mother Robinson

James MacArthur

Fritz Robinson

Janet Munro

Roberta 'Bertie'

Sessue Hayakawa

Kuala, Pirate Chief

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Swiss Family Robinson

Swiss Family Robinson (1960) Swiss Family Robinson (1960) Swiss Family Robinson (1960) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In this family film, the Robinson clan -- mother, father (John Mills) and their three sons, Fritz, Ernst and Francis -- flee the reign of Napoleon to start afresh in New Guinea. When their ship gets damaged en route, the family takes refuge on a deserted island. The Robinsons learn to live in the wild, have various adventures and build an impressive house in a tree. However, while island life is full of excitement, whether to return to civilization looms.
Director
Ken Annakin
Producer
Walt Disney
Screenwriter
Johann David Wyss, Lowell S. Hawley
Distributor
Walt Disney Company Ltd. [gb], Buena Vista Pictures, Buena Vista Home Entertainment [br], Walt Disney Home Video [gb]
Production Co
Walt Disney Pictures
Rating
G
Genre
Kids & Family, Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 21, 1960, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2014
Runtime
2h 8m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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