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» » Crusoe (1988)

Short summary

Robinson Crusoe is shipwrecked and he finds himself all alone on a tropical island. With a few tools he manages to rescue from the wreck he has to learn to support himself until help arrives.

This was first announced in 1973.

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Hulbine
    I viewed this movie on TV and in Spanish, and it mattered not.

    This is visual movie making at its best, the story being told through

    gripping physical encounters and gut-wrenching emotions on an

    enchanting island. Crusoe and Friday are fiercely strong

    individuals who must learn to cooperate to survive. But this version

    of the classic story goes beyond mere physical survival and

    focuses on how Crusoe, a slave trader in the 1800s, and Friday, a

    Black, overcome their innate prejudices and learn to trust, respect,

    and finally to help each other survive against life-threatening odds.

    The mythic feel of the film is enhanced by wondrous cinematography and sparkling music. Thanks Aidan Quinn, Ade

    Sapara, and Director-cinematographer Celeb Deschanel for a

    most delightful movie.
  • comment
    • Author: Rose Of Winds
    This almost wordless version, is my favorite, it captures the lonely feeling of being lost on a beautiful Island. A man lost to the world with no one to help him, finds he needs companionship. The actors did a great job expressing the parts. I feel the writer's human approach to expressing the conflict between the white and the black man shows for all to see that we are, all, in the human race and need to learn to overcome our superior selfishness whether white or black. These 2 men become friends even to learning from each other and they both show they are indeed able to share there lives with respect for each other. They learn to trust each other and to protect each other. The haunting theme music so sets off this story. It sets the stage with the emotion, giving the viewer a real feel for the truths in this wonderful story.
  • comment
    • Author: TheSuspect
    This 1988 revision of Daniel Dafoe's popular desert island survival adventure has enough of a modern conscience to suggest a tropical variation of 'The Defiant Ones', with Virginia gentleman slave trader Crusoe (no first name is given: could it be Robinson?) shipwrecked off the African coast and chained by circumstance to a native tribesman. Director Caleb Deschanel brings to his own film some of the same meticulous attention to visual detail from his work elsewhere as an ace cinematographer, in this instance hiding the shortcomings of an underdeveloped screenplay behind lots of glorious surf-and-sand imagery. The story itself, perhaps because of its familiarity in outline, unfolds with a surprising lack of emotion for such a compelling scenario. Little information is offered about its protagonist except that he's a bigot with a lesson to learn, so what little character he has isn't very sympathetic. But the idea alone still carries a lingering fascination, making the film a consistently interesting if not always very involving experience.
  • comment
    • Author: OCARO
    Several years ago my brother and I tried, largely in vain, to find a Robinson Crusoe film adaptation that satisfied our deep curiosity with the story. We had read the fabulous work and knew its major themes, so searching for a visual adaptation was exciting. We found one version with Pierce Brosnan and then a black and white one, both of which were not fulfilling. This movie picks up the quest for a visual characterization of Daniel Defoe's title character and leaves me somewhat satisfied, at least more so than the previous ones I've seen. Missing the first few minutes, I began in on the movie just after Crusoe is shipwrecked. The film has great visuals and moves from one event/occurrence to another pretty steadily, but it was lacking in both depth of the Crusoe character and a general study of the character's relationship to nature and God, two aspects that the original story effectively focuses on. I did not experience a depth of connection with Aidan Quinn, who played Crusoe, and it feels like he is more just a random character in a made for TV movie rather than the rugged, time tested, and matured Robinson Crusoe I tend to imagine. I kept hoping the movie would have a "7" or "14" or even "21 years later" scene where we gasp and wonder how the time has changed Crusoe and wonder what he's been up to, like in "Cast Away" with Chuck Nolan. While there are some touching moments, I give it 6/10 stars for the previous reasons. I wanted a more integrated piece that zeroes in on the man Robinson Crusoe rather than a film that jumps from one island event to another and doesn't return to the title character and his story. Still, it's watchable.
  • comment
    • Author: Delari
    This version is a good watch and a freshened version of the Robinson Crusoe franchise.

    It shows how a lonely man can survive on tropical island.

    Beautiful shooting shows the great colors of the scenery of the island they were on.

    I originally only caught the first few minutes of this movie and enjoyed it and later found it on again and watched it to it's finish.

    Takes a few surprising turns that I have not seen in other versions.

    I felt from the start of this movie was very real of what was happening in the slave trade and Crusoe mentions this to his first captured slave.

    Enjoyable to watch, I recommend this for those 12 years old and above.
  • comment
    • Author: Thohelm
    "Crusoe" came on in the middle of the night on Multiplex. Do remember the buzz in 88 before it was released. Surprised it didn't do better in the American market.

    Optics are stunningly beautiful, sets appear authentic to my unprofessional eye - and Serbia is absolutely gorgeous. Sinful what has happened to that country.

    Beginning scenes reminiscent of recent films such as "12 Years A Slave" and others. Painful to watch, but a necessary back story. Agree with previous reviews that this version of Daniel Defoe's story conveys well the isolation, desperation and redemption of man. Good on director Caleb Deschanel.

    Thought it was a bit too convenient our hero just happened to retrieve a razor, soap and other necessities from the wreck. And especially, his ship-launching skills were a wonder to behold.

    Loved Aiden Quinn's interaction with the ship's dog, especially compared to his first encounter with Hepburn Graham. Telling.
  • Cast overview, first billed only:
    Aidan Quinn Aidan Quinn - Crusoe
    Elvis Payne Elvis Payne - Runaway Slave
    Richard D. Sharp Richard D. Sharp - Colcol (as Richard Sharp)
    Colin Bruce Colin Bruce - Clerk
    William Hootkins William Hootkins - Auctioneer
    Shane Rimmer Shane Rimmer - Mr. Mather
    Jimmy Nail Jimmy Nail - Tatik
    Patrick Monckton Patrick Monckton - Cook (as Patrick Monkton)
    Chris Pitt Chris Pitt - Kitchen Lad
    James Kennedy James Kennedy - Capt. Harding
    Timothy Spall Timothy Spall - Rev. Milne (as Tim Spall)
    Ade Sapara Ade Sapara - The Warrior
    Hepburn Graham Hepburn Graham - Lucky
    Raymond Johnson Raymond Johnson - 1st Victim
    Ricco Ross Ricco Ross - 2nd Victim
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