MovieChat Forums > Robinson Crusoe (1997) Discussion > Not book, but REAL-LIFE story!

Not book, but REAL-LIFE story!

posted 16 years ago by ergomane
3 replies | jump to latest

I think the movie is more based on real story of Alexander Selkirk's marooned life on a island. And Defoe got his inspiration for his book from that story.

Here's some similarities:

- Selkirk remained at first along the shoreline
- At first, scanned the ocean daily for rescue
- Was (only) few years on the island.
- He had brought with him was a musket, gunpowder, carpenter's tools(!), a knife, a Bible and some clothing.
- Wild goats, introduced by earlier sailors, provided him meat and milk
- Selkirk proved resourceful in using equipment from the ship as well as materials that were native to the island.
- He read from the Bible frequently, finding it a comfort to him in his condition and a mainstay for his English.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Selkirk

[–] lambrettaguy200 16 years ago

Also, like Selkirk, the film's character is clearly Scottish, whereas Robinson Crusoe is not Scottish as far as I know.

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[–] starline 15 years ago

About Alexander Selkirk...

http://www.essortment.com/all/alexanderselkir_rehj.htm

[–] funspbycynthia-1 14 years ago

That was very interesting. It did sound more realistic that they left him, rather than a shipwreck and only one man surviving. It would be nice to come across some neat story like Daniel Defoe and be able to write a book about it.