Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: Poooooooooor Robin....Comment: Network haven't played around with this series, it's exactly as I remember it. Just as watchable, just as beautiful... just as human.
That shot of the water at dusk, the waves lapping, the heat. It's pure nostalgia, pure magic.
I can't recommend this highly enough!
...and the poor film and sound quality? Well, it's like listening to 30s blues... the scratches and blips are absolutely essential.Customer Rating: Summary: TV legend lives on after 43 yearsComment: Sometimes, when we revisit a TV programme that made a big impact on us in our youth, we are disappointed. It wasn't as good as I remembered it, we say.
Not so about 'The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe' which is as good as I remembered it and is possibly, the best dramatisation of Defoe's novel ever made.
Yes, perhaps the storm scene goes on just a bit too long and some of the acting in the flashbacks is wooden, but the sequences on the island are wonderful. Robert Hoffmann as Crusoe has an incredible screen presence and you really become involved in the story as he learns how to survive alone. The photography captures the isolation of the island and the sun rising beyond Crusoe's cave is particularly effective. The serial moves up a notch emotionally and dramatically with the appearance of Friday (Fabian Canalos) and the relationship between the two men is very well done, from an initial wariness on both sides and Crusoe's attempts to civilise Friday to a companionship based on mutual respect and affection. The reunion between the two after Friday runs away is very moving.
And all of this is backed up by a great soundtrack.
Thank you Network for rescuing this serial from oblivion
Customer Rating: Summary: Fantastic memories from a 1960's childhood..Comment: For anyone who was a child of the 1960's or early 70's, this will surely bring back many memories and is an absolute must! I've been watching the DVD series with my own daughters (aged 9 and 7). Despite down-playing expectations in advance - it's in black and white, a bit crackly and very tame compared with today's TV - they absolutely love it. Very educational too - asking them what THEY would do in his situation (seek water, food, shelter etc.). We're watching one episode a day (I had to wait a full week for the next episode in 1965!). The music is on my ipod and I never walk on a deserted beach without the tunes in my head. Wonderful! Tim.Customer Rating: Summary: The Adventures of Robinson CrusoeComment: Hi, from Wellington N.Z. I first saw this film at a Wellington cinema sometime during the "Sixties", the theme tune from which has haunted me over the intervening years. And, yes, I remembered what the music was from, but not the name of it or who composed it. I recently heard it on Radio N.Z.'s classical music station, Concert FM, but missed what the announcer said it was. However, I recognised it immediately as having come from the film adaption of Defoe's novel that I had seen. It was hearing this that prompted me to search for it and am really enjoying it not having seen it for over forty years. I wrote to Amazon recently to say that I thought it possibly wasn't the one I remembered due to the theme of the one I saw previously having become so ingrained in my memory. Although the DVD I purchased is a copy of a tv series and not the original movie that I saw, I am really enjoying it. If I ever did come across the version I remember and it is different from the one I purchased, then I will purchase that one too.Customer Rating: Summary: Finally I will see the end. . .Comment: I cant imagine anybody in my generation who didn't watch this show when it was on TV. It seemed to be on every night for ever. The soundtrack is as remarkable as the show itself.
I first came across the VHS version of this programm about 5 years ago. Then it was a real struggle to collect all 4 tapes. Single tapes were trading at £30.00 upwards. I sold my complete collection at over £200.00 on ebay.
Happy therfore to find this official releaae on DVD. As previously stated it would have been nice if time and effort had been spent on restoration.
Laurel and Hardry was mentioned, I think lessons could also have been learned from the BBC Doctor Who Restoration Team who have performed wonders.
That said it is timeless entertainment. Even my 14 year old son is happy to enjoy it.
And despite all the times I watched it during my youth and beyond, I might now actually get to see how it ended. Well worth a purchase.