The Adventures Of Robinson Crusoe [1964]

This cosmopolitan production was made in 1964. Shot in B&W in the Canary Islands and orginally in French starring handsome Austrian actor Robert Hoffman as Robinson. The series was ultimately dubbed into English, with the narrative spoken by a North American, as the voice of Robinson. 'The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe' was purchased by the Beeb and received its first screening in around 1965. Every year onwards until the mid-Seventies, the series was part of a staple TV diet for millions of British schoolkids, throughout the summer holidays. It was still shown sporadically at odd times of the day by the BBC up to about 1982, when they finally dumped it, literally I'm afraid!

The haunting musical score by Robert Mellin and Gian-Pero Reverberi is one of the best I have ever heard. Particularly, bearing in mind the production was not high budget. Many modern performers including The Art of Noise, have re-created the main theme in their own styles. The original music may still be available to buy in its own right, (check Amazon). If you can find it I recommend it strongly.

As for seeing series again on video, it brings back many happy memories of my childhood. The series actually stands the test of time pretty well, of course, helped by the music! OK, the lip movements of the actors don't exactly fit the new English/American voices, but what the hell, this was 1964, no multi-millions of budget here. So ignore those little faults, and lose yourself in nostalgia, and a genuinely excellent dramatization of Defoe's great story of beating adversity.

By the way, the end of the final episode makes me cry. I bet you will too!!

I strongly recommend 'The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe' on video. Buy the whole set. You won't regret it.


Cast away in nostalgia   June 27, 2007
S. Jones
36 out of 36 found this review helpful

Ahhhh, I'm ten years old again and all it took was this dvd.

Kudos to Network for releasing this, even if it still looks about as rough as when it was being shown 30 years ago.

What matters is that it's here, complete, for fans to own, without having to search for copies of copies of copies on the auction sites.

In the mid-sixties who would have believed a serialised European co-production of one of English literature's finest adventure novels would over forty years later STILL be the best version?

No praise of course is too high for the music which with its unforgettable main theme and numerous emotional motifs is as close to a perfect soundtrack as exists.

Much credit is also deserved for the entire lavish looking production, and the highly committed central performance of Robert Hoffman can't be underestimated. Aided by the eloquent narration he depicts a Crusoe who's both rash and resourceful, courageous and vain, and whose English pride is eventually tempered by acquired qualities of humility and compassion.

Still a joy, even without the prospect of six weeks' school holidays ahead..


Would have paid double for a restored print !   June 30, 2007
Mr. I. D. Baldwin (Englansd]])
36 out of 36 found this review helpful

Oh dear. I must thank Network for finally releasing this on DVD but they could have spent some money on restoring the print to remove the scratches and specks (as has been done with the Laurel and Hardy films to great effect). Also it would have been nice to have biographies of Jean Sacha (director), Robert Mellin and Gian-Piero Reverberi who provided the memorable music, Lee Payant (the true voice of Robinson) who lived with his partner Gordon Heath in Paris and ran L'Abbaye folk club in St-Germain-des-Pres in the 1960's . I give this 5 Stars only because in whatever print quality the excellence of the original production of this definitive version of Robinson Crusoe shines through and because Network have saved it .


Wonderful version of Robinson Crusoe - beautiful music   May 13, 2000
craigcp@earthlink.net (Los Angeles - formerly Leeds uk)
27 out of 27 found this review helpful

Of the many things one remembers from childhood this has to be one of the most memorable - the wonderful black and white images and the oh so hauntingly beautiful music -a great version of Robinson Crusoe for older children and adults alike.


Robinson Crusoe- how can this be unavailable?   February 15, 2004
stevie bouy (uk)
26 out of 26 found this review helpful

This is the very essence of childhood summer loved by so many and yet oddly unavailable.I now have the series which has been incredible to watch but sadly will have to be selling these on shortly.A dvd was talked about a while ago but nothing appears to be forthcoming.Second hand originals like mine are all thats available-can we all put pressure on the powers that be to put this right.