MovieChat Forums > Robinson Crusoé (2003) Discussion > Absolutely STUNNING Film

Absolutely STUNNING Film

posted 9 years ago by hilaryjrp
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I'm watching this in November, 2014, a grad English Lit degree holder who never could stand to sit through an English version. The production is SOOO beautiful, I couldn't look away. Pierre Richard is fantastic. I don't think this is English-subtitled (I'm watching it on CIMT, Quebec, with subtitles in French). Doesn't matter: the constant soliloquy makes understanding the French language of second importance. There is some animal violence that should not interfere with your ability to enjoy the film (I'm extremely sensitive to animal violence in movies).

There's a cute little dog whom accompanies Crusoe (pronounced CREW-SO-EE!) in French.

Gorgeous, gorgeous film--and also soundtrack.

[–] anubis-45 8 years ago

I am in total agreement, hilaryjrp!

I taped this on VHS way back in 2003, and - please forgive me - I only got around to watching it last evening!! Well, 13 years isn't all that long, is it?

I can only support what you said about this version. It is quirky, quite funny in parts, and very gritty in places, too...

The original story has many side-deviations, and LOTS are unexplained, but the scenery and the musical score are simply stunning!

A couple of other salient points: Robinson's dog - named Venus in this version, died WAYYY too early in the story, and from drowning, of all things! In the book, she was a he, and lived to a ripe old age, being a constant companion to Robinson.

Secondly, Robinson - played here by the delightful Pierre Richard - was already an old(er) man when he arrived at the island. Also, in this version, he was marooned in a longboat by his mutinous crew members, where originally, he was washed ashore, following a huge storm that broke the ship apart. Oh, well...

At least my version has English sub-titles, courtesy of SBS TV. This certainly made a difference to me, as I only understand about six words of French.....

^-^

The Opener of the Way is waiting....