Swiss Family Robinson (1940): Cast, Ratings & Plot
Swiss Family Robinson is a 1940 adventure film directed by Edward Ludwig, starring Thomas Mitchell, Tim Holt and Edna Best. It is based on The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss and William Goodwin. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes. It was nominated for 1 Oscar. IMDb users rate it 6.3/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 33m (93 min)
- Director
- Edward Ludwig
- Genre
- Adventure
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- RKO Radio Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Swiss Family Robinson About?
The premise of Swiss Family Robinson without spoilers, adapted from The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss and William Goodwin. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In the 1810s, William Robinson, feeling a growing sense of unrest in London, decides to embark on a voyage to Australia with his family. A violent storm shipwrecks them on a deserted island in the Pacific Ocean. Using their ingenuity and determination, the Robinsons salvage materials from the wreckage and construct an elaborate treehouse and a thriving settlement. They explore the island's diverse flora and fauna, facing challenges and adventures as they adapt to their new, isolated existence and forge a remarkable life together.
Swiss Family Robinson Themes & Keywords
· 22 tags- family character name in title
- child in jeopardy
- survival adventure
- construction
- storm at sea
- remote island
- near death experience
- ingenuity
- isolation
- shipwreck
- tropical island paradise
- desert island
+10 more Show fewer
- coming of age
- mother son relationship
- family relationships
- survival
- stranded on an island
- spider bite
- father son relationship
- husband wife relationship
- tropical island
- bare chested male
Swiss Family Robinson Cast
Thomas Mitchell leads the cast, with Tim Holt and Edna Best. Directed by Edward Ludwig; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director Edward Ludwig
Also Starring in Swiss Family Robinson
· 6 moreMore from Edward Ludwig
More films directed by Edward Ludwig: The Gun Hawk, The Black Scorpion, Flame of the Islands and Jivaro.
Swiss Family Robinson Reviews & Ratings
IMDb users rate Swiss Family Robinson 6.3/10.
-
IMDb 6.3 /10
See on IMDb -
TMDB 54% User score
See on TMDB
Swiss Family Robinson Plot Summary
What happens in Swiss Family Robinson from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
A ship carrying a Swiss family from Bern—consisting of Father, Mother, and their three sons—embarks on a journey to a colony in New Guinea to escape the turmoil of the Napoleonic Wars. Unfortunately, their voyage takes a perilous turn when pirates attack, leading to the crew abandoning the ship. The vessel ultimately runs aground on the rocks of an uninhabited island. The family, joined by the captain’s two Great Danes, manages to reach the shore. Father, along with his eldest son, Fritz, and middle son, Ernst, work together to salvage supplies and livestock from the wreckage. When the pirates discover their ship, Father cleverly deters them by hoisting a quarantine flag, hinting at the presence of Bubonic plague on board.
Full summary
The whole story of Swiss Family Robinson, scene by scene
Swiss Family Robinson Awards & Nominations
Swiss Family Robinson was nominated for 1 Oscar.
1 nomination1 ceremony
-
Oscars 1941 1 nomination- Nominated Special Effects
Swiss Family Robinson Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Swiss Family Robinson.
How Well Do You Know Swiss Family Robinson?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What event causes the Swiss family to be stranded on a deserted island?
Swiss Family Robinson Also Known As
9 alternative titles, including “Robinson Suíço” and “Die Insel der Verlorenen”.
- Also known as
-
- Robinson Suíço
- Die Insel der Verlorenen
- משפחת רובינסון השוויצרית
- A Cidadela dos Robinsons
- La familia Robinson suiza
- Come Robinson Crusoè
- Οικογένεια Ελβετών Ροβινσώνων
- Pirații paradisului
- Schweiziska familjen Robinson
Seen Swiss Family Robinson?
Movies Like Swiss Family Robinson
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Swiss Family Robinson, The Swiss Family Robinson: Flone of the Mysterious Island and Stranded.
Swiss Family Robinson FAQ: Cast, Awards & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, the book behind it, awards and post-credit scenes of Swiss Family Robinson, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Swiss Family Robinson?
Swiss Family Robinson runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).
When was Swiss Family Robinson released?
Swiss Family Robinson was released on February 8, 1940.
Who directed Swiss Family Robinson?
Swiss Family Robinson was directed by Edward Ludwig.
More films by Edward Ludwig Who is in the cast of Swiss Family Robinson?
Swiss Family Robinson stars Thomas Mitchell, Tim Holt and Edna Best, among 10 credited actors.
How is Swiss Family Robinson rated?
Swiss Family Robinson has 6.3/10 on IMDb and 54% on TMDB.
Is Swiss Family Robinson based on a book?
Yes. Swiss Family Robinson is adapted from The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss and William Goodwin.
Was Swiss Family Robinson nominated for any awards?
Swiss Family Robinson received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.
Does Swiss Family Robinson have a post-credit scene?
No. Swiss Family Robinson has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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