Lt. Robin Crusoe, U.S.N. | | Cast : | Dick Van Dyke, Nancy Kwan | | Director : | Byron Paul | | Studio : | Buena Vista Home Vid | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned | | Released Date : | July 29, 1966 | | DVD Released Date : | April 12, 2005 | | Language : | English (Dubbed) | | Audience Rating : | NR (Not Rated) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | August 02, 2005 | | Summary | A classic from my childhood! | Content
 | I grew up watching this movie on VHS and when I found out that it was available on DVD, I couldn't wait to buy it. It is such a good movie, and it is very family oriented and kid friendly. Dick Van Dyke and Nancy Kwan are great and have very good chemistry together. Watching it after so many years was wonderful and I found myself laughing aloud once again. The DVD does not have any special features, but don't let that stop you from trying it out. If you love the classic Dick Van Dyke Disney movies, I promise that you won't be disappointed with this choice. |
| Rating | | | Date | July 26, 2005 | | Summary | My father has a cameo in this film! | Content
| When I was a little girl, my father (whom I don't know well) told me on the phone that he was in this movie. He said to me: I met Walt Disney when he was filming Lt. Robinson Crusoe, U.S.N. and he asked me to do a small bit for the opening of the film. See, apparently my father was one of the sailors on the naval air carrier that they film a small bit of the movie on. I'm not sure of the real reason for Walt Disney's decision to use my father, but, my dad proclaimed that the reason was this: They're both short men. My father can't be more than 5 ft 4.
At any rate the scene is one where Dick Van Dyke and the monkey are landing on the carrier and the sailors are all lined up at attention. One sailor is gaping, open mouthed like a fish at the scene. My father is the one who elbows him, to make him stand back at attention.
But it wasn't because of this personal bit from a family member which made me like this film, it is the amusement factor. Dick Van Dyke is a funny guy, and this film is a bunch of laughs. I'm disappointed that there is no widescreen format or digital restoration or anything like that, but I may buy this film anyhow due to the fact that my father plays a tiny bit part in it.
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| Rating | | | Date | May 24, 2005 | | Summary | Tom Hanks had a bit tougher time as a castaway! | Content
| This is an absolutely delightful movie for the whole family with the king of physical comedy, Dick Van Dyke, in the starring role. I have purchased this DVD and found the video to be fairly digitally crisp, something unusual for Disney's typical practice of Live Action "digital dumping". The movie is rich with lush verdant island scenery and brilliant colorful special "fireworks" effects towards the end of the movie. Walt's vision was always to give the movie goer a visual treat. Why does the Disney Marketing Department continue to release discs in a truely Micky Mouse "Pan 'n' Scam" format? Bad, bad mouse! I only bought because I DID'NT have on tape. If you have the tape avoid as usual but if not, the DVD is 1 star for P&S but 5 STARS for the movie! |
| Rating | | | Date | May 23, 2005 | | Summary | Great Fun!!! | Content
| I recalled seeing this movie during Saturday afternoon showings at the post theater. As I was a military brat and this film had a military bend, I was hooked; and it has remained one of my most favorite children's movies ever since. Now my 4 and 2-year-old daughters are enjoying it immensely and it has become their favorite movie to watch with dad. In fact, this is the first movie my oldest will watch from start to finish without asking me to skip or repeat a scene over and over again. She'd just rather watch the whole movie over and over again. As her some of her other favorites are "Mary Poppins" and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," it seems Dick Van Dyke's ability to mesmerize children is timeless. |
| Rating | | | Date | April 17, 2005 | | Summary | Five reasons to skip this one. | Content
| It's been a long time since I've seen this film, and I remember it to be an engaging slapstick farce with Dick Van Dyke in top form as the title character, a descendant of the original Robinson Crusoe who, while on training mission, crash-lands on a tropical island. He must fend for himself while awaiting rescue, with only fellow castaway Floyd the astrochimp and a native girl he names Wednesday to keep him company. It's a funny and fast-paced lark, and very typical of '60's Disney product.
Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this version of the film for purchase at this time. Here are five reasons why:
1. Like "Million Dollar Duck" and "Barefoot Executive", "Lt. Robin Crusoe, U.S.N." is being released to DVD in a lazy, fullscreen version instead of the family-friendly 1:66:1 aspect ratio it was originally filmed in. As a film purist, I simply refuse to buy anything that isn't presented in the format it was originally filmed in. That Disney is dumping old films on DVD in the old fullscreen VHS format shows a total lack of respect for the filmmakers and the consumer alike.
2. I see no indication on the packaging that this film has been digitally restored. Therefore, I must conclude the DVD contains the same tired old print of the film that was originally released on VHS. Even more galling is the fact that the sound hasn't been upgraded to stereo, but according to the packaging is presented in "mono." I ask consumers everywhere: why bother replacing old VHS films with DVDs that are of no better quality than what you already have?
3. There are absolutely no extras presented with this film. No "making of" documentary, no commentary with Mr. Van Dyke, no original theatrical trailer, nothing. That Disney released this film with no extras makes the lack of a widescreen print even more annoying, since there is more than enough room on a DVD to present both fullscreen and widescreen versions of the film. Other companies, especially MGM/UA, do it all this time. Why can't Disney? It's simple: laziness and lack of respect for the consumer.
4. This DVD is ridiculously expensive, expecially at the original retail price of $19.95, which is a full $10 more than most bare-bones DVDs are priced by other companies. Disney has always been known for gouging its fans at the cash register, but this is ridiculous.
5. 1+2+3+4=ONE BIG RIPOFF. Once again, Disney rips-off its consumers, and they'll continue to laugh all the way to the bank unless we take a stand. Therefore, I ask fans everywhere:
BOYCOTT ANY DISNEY DVD THAT IS NOT RESTORED AND PRESENTED IN WIDESCREEN FORMAT. That's the only way we'll ever get through to these greedy corporate pinheads.
Film: *** (out of *****) DVD: * (out of *****) |
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