Swiss Family Robinson (1960)

83% of critics liked it
(18 reviews)
71% of users liked it
(40,483 ratings)

None of the many cinemadaptations of Johan Wyss' The Swiss Family Robinson are as relentlessly enjoyable as this 1960 Disney feature. The film wastes no time getting down to business, with the shipwreck of the Robinson family occurring as the credits flash across the screen. Fashioning a raft, the… More None of the many cinemadaptations of Johan Wyss' The Swiss Family Robinson are as relentlessly enjoyable as this 1960 Disney feature. The film wastes no time getting down to business, with the shipwreck of the Robinson family occurring as the credits flash across the screen. Fashioning a raft, the family heads to a lush tropical island. While the mother (Dorothy McGuire) isn't too happy about being a castaway, the father (John Mills) and the sons (James MacArthur, Tommy Kirk, Kevin Corcoran) are thrilled at the prospect of carving out a new life for themselves. In short order, the industrious Robinsons have constructed a treehouse with all the creature comforts and "utilities" of their home in Switzerland. Later on, the little party is joined by Janet Munro, the daughter of a sea captain who has been captured by pirate Sessue Hayakawa and his band. After a series of adventures calculated to arouse the envy of every man, woman and child in the audience, the film comes to a rousing conclusion as the Robinsons resourcefully fend off Hayakawa and his pirates with a variety of jerry-built booby traps. A box-office winner to the tune of $30 million, The Swiss Family Robinson proved beyond doubt that Disney's decision to emphasize the humor and adventure of the Wyss original, while downplaying the sociopolitical undertones, was a sound one. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 2 hr. 6 min.
Directed By: Ken Annakin
Written By: Lowell S. Hawley
Genres: Action & Adventure, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Dec 21, 1960 Wide
On DVD: May 7, 2002
Studio: Buena Vista Pictures

Critic Reviews

, TIME Magazine
The Swiss Family Robinson, like most of Walt Disney's screen versions of the children's classics, is good Disney and bad culture.
Howard Thompson, New York Times
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.
Common Sense Media Editors, Common Sense Media
Good intro for kids reluctant to watch old movies.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
There's something for everybody in this Disney's live action adventure made for the entire family, which may explain why it was the most commercially popular film of 1960.
Alistair Harkness, Film4
It's no Pirates Of The Caribbean but the spirit of adventure, and Disney's high production values, means that there's still some fun to be had watching this wholesome family adapt to island life.
Steven D. Greydanus, Decent Films Guide
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.
Douglas Pratt, DVDLaser
The escapist atmosphere is still difficult to resist.
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
Classic family adventure with pirates and animals on an exotic island. What's not to love?
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
unrealistic disney fun
Dan Fazio, Citysearch
Should be called Swiss Army Robinson.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
With mom's parasols and dad's water wheel inventions, this family looks like the original inhabitants of Gilligan's Island. Of course, this is not meant to be a comedy...
Steve Rhodes, Internet Reviews
It has atmosphere, wild animals, pirates, and most of all, an awe-inspiring sense of wonderment about creativity in general and about inventions in particular. Director Ken Annakin fashions an imaginative and special movie.

Read all 12 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Conner R

Next to 20,000 Leagues, I would say that this is one of Disney's best live action movies of the time. It's such a fun movie with everything you love about adventure. Pirates, tree houses, animal races, etc. It's just an extremely rich story that is told beautifully,… More
Next to 20,000 Leagues, I would say that this is one of Disney's best live action movies of the time. It's such a fun movie with everything you love about adventure. Pirates, tree houses, animal races, etc. It's just an extremely rich story that is told beautifully, there's no way you can't love this movie.
Tim S

I'm kinda fond of this one.
Stella D

yes i know it's corny but i still want to live in a treehouse!
danny d

one of my all time favorite family classics. i must have watched this film no less than 20 times when i was a kid. ultimatley it is rediculously over the top, but its fun and adventurous like few other films. great flick.
Curtis L

Classic. Total classic. Every kids dream
Lady D

Loved this film as a kid, was faxcinated in the house they built and wanted to live there
Jason S

Good family movie
Sarah G

I really enjoy this movie everytime it comes on the TV!
Andrew P

The Swiss Family Robinson still holds up, 50 years after it's release, as a wholesome family adventure. It's enjoyable, funny and has Disney charm written all over it. While some of the plot seems a little outlandish and silly, it'll still keep families entertained when… More
The Swiss Family Robinson still holds up, 50 years after it's release, as a wholesome family adventure. It's enjoyable, funny and has Disney charm written all over it. While some of the plot seems a little outlandish and silly, it'll still keep families entertained when it's on.
Sunil J

Watched this many times on the Disney channel. It's sweet family fun with pirates.
David S

A great family Disney film. Always enjoyed watching this when I was young and you can't help getting swept up in the magic of it (helped especially by it all being filmed on location. This film contains the best treehouse ever...period! Quite odd watching it now as you expect to… More
A great family Disney film. Always enjoyed watching this when I was young and you can't help getting swept up in the magic of it (helped especially by it all being filmed on location. This film contains the best treehouse ever...period! Quite odd watching it now as you expect to see Kate, Jack or Sawyer walking into frame!