It's just classic sibling rivalry, brought to the forefront and magnified by the inclusion of an eligible female in the mix just when they are at that hormone-crazed age. Roberta, perhaps intrigued and pleased by all this attention, did (obviously) play both sides against each other to stir up the pot.
I agree with an earlier comment that I think Ernst who is more "book smart" and all about completing tasks using technology (less manual labour, more energy-saving ways) is probably more like a modern day person. And I can see how current audiences might identify with him. Fritz is probably the more classic hands on, sailing, adventuring man-of-action of both that time period and from literature (an archetypal hero, protagonist-type). That type of character might always have an appeal to audiences in general, and even in our modern times be considered more attractive. But this character type(successfully making a living with such a lifestyle) is uncommon these days. Like, who would you bet on for "Most Likely to Succeed" after HS... the class valedictorian, or the popular class athletic star?
Plus, I'd like to point out that Fritz was much more like his Father. Naturally, the Father approved of (if not outright favoured) the eldest son who was much more like himself in spirit, skill set, and temperament.
I think ol' Ernst did ok in the shadow of his big brother and was an appealing character. He tried to and DID contribute the survival of the group. He couldn't help his hormones and instincts which caused the vying for the attention of the one and only eligible female on the island. There was no doubt that he'd lose to the Alpha male IMO.
Believe it or not, it was the THIRD brother that annoyed me the most. Sure, kids will be kids and wander off with curiosity, but geez, you're on an island with dangerous predators, cliffs, quicksand, etc. how about a little more supervision... or self-discipline. Oh, and let's let him casually handle an open flame and what essentially amounts to a big frickin' pile of grenades.
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kmc-4
14 years ago
Believe it or not, it was the THIRD brother that annoyed me the most. Sure, kids will be kids and wander off with curiosity, but geez, you're on an island with dangerous predators, cliffs, quicksand, etc. how about a little more supervision... or self-discipline. Oh, and let's let him casually handle an open flame and what essentially amounts to a big frickin' pile of grenades.
OMG! I watched this again last night on TCM, and I wanted to throw something at Francis! He was BEYOND obnoxious!
Personally, I liked Ernst the best. He was so smart and tried so hard to overcome being the middle child. He seemed sincere in trying to court Roberta as well.
Fritz was an OK character, but I thought he was far more brawn than brains. Fritz didn't annoy me, but nothing really endeared him to me, either. I didn't get what Roberta saw in him, especially when he wanted to stay there rather go off to London, which is obviously where she wanted to be.
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hachmom-1
13 years ago
In the book there were 4 brothers, and they gave Francis all the most obnoxious qualities of both younger siblings. Even reading the book as a child, before I ever saw the movie (that was in the dark ages when you had to wait for a film to turn up at the theatre in revival) I thought Ernst was annoying....By the time I saw the movie James MacArthur was my first preteen crush so Ernst didnt stand a chance.....
It is not our abilities that show who we truly are...it is our choices
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