Robinson Crusoe (1927 film)
| Robinson Crusoe | |
|---|---|
Opening titles | |
| Directed by | M.A. Wetherell |
| Written by | Daniel Defoe (novel) M.A. Wetherell (screenwriter) |
| Produced by | M.A. Wetherell |
| Starring | M.A. Wetherell Fay Compton Herbert Waithe |
| Cinematography | Joe Rosenthal |
| Edited by | H. Foster |
Production company | M. A. Wetherell Productions |
| Distributed by | Epic Films |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 45 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Robinson Crusoe is a 1927 British silent drama film produced and directed by M.A. Wetherell and starring Wetherell, Fay Compton and Herbert Waithe.[1] It was written by Wetherell, adapted from the 1719 novel Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe.
A sound version of this film was released in 1932[2]. While it had no audible dialogue, it featured a synchronised musical score with sound effects.
Plot
The film tells the adventures of Robinson Crusoe, a shipwrecked man stranded on a desert island.
Cast
- M.A. Wetherell as Robinson Crusoe
- Fay Compton as Sophie Bruce
- Herbert Waithe as Man Friday
- Reginald Fox
Production
The film was made at Cricklewood Studios and Lime Grove Studios in London.
Reception
Kine Weekly wrote: "M.A. Wethereill travelled 8,000 miles io the Island of Tobago to get the authentic backgrounds for his picturisation of Defoe's story. There is not much inspiration about the production, and the action is slow, but the atmosphere is sincere and the settings novel. ... All credit is due to M. A. Wetherell for the difficulties he has overcome in making this picture, but one cannot help feeling that it lacks inspiration. The action is inclined to be dull when the novelty of the scenery wears off, and such incidents as the finding of Friday and the rescue of the ship's officers lack excitement. On the other hand, a good sense of Crusoe's isolation has been achieved."[3]
The Daily Film Renter wrote: "Delightful scenic shots. A small part for Fay Compton sincerely presented. Little light relief, except for monkey's antics. ... Picture which, released at Christmas, should make an appeal specially to children on the popularity of the book and the sincere attempt to portray the principal scenes with fidelity. The fact that over a considerable length only one character appears prevents the variety usually looked for in screen enterainment, and the action is at times slow."[4]
References
- ^ "Robinson Crusoe (1927)". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
- ^ "Robinson Crusoe (1932)". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
- ^ "Robinson Crusoe". Kine Weekly. 123 (1): 45. 26 May 1927. ProQuest 2320675366.
- ^ "Robinson Crusoe". The Daily Film Renter (103): 4. 20 May 1927. ProQuest 2587847682.
External links
- Robinson Crusoe at IMDb
- Robinson Crusoe is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive
- Watch Robinson Crusoe on YouTube