Mr. Robinson Crusoe: Sunburned and Slightly Lost

You know that feeling when you’ve got a Swedish summer, and you think you’re gonna be cool out in the archipelago, but 30 minutes in, you’re burned and regretting your life choices? That’s basically how I felt (in the best way) rewatching Mr. Robinson Crusoe from 1932. Ganska knasig film, honestly.

So, Douglas Fairbanks, this absolute legend who can charm the birds out of the trees, plays this rich city bloke who bets he can make it old-school Robinson Crusoe style – you know, no gadgets, just bare feet and bananas. And then, there’s Edward Knoblock and A. Edward Sutherland steering the ship as director, which surprised me since Sutherland did quite the mix of comedies.

There’s buckets of energy in this film. I mean, Fairbanks bouncing around in those tiny shorts (no, honestly, they’re almost Swedish midsommar-level ridiculous) feels like some madcap escape from city life. The way he chucks together a fancy shelter is half primitive IKEA, half survival show, with more slapstick than sense.

If I’m honest, the plot’s thinner than a Marabou chocolate square left in the sun. A lot of running, building, swaggering and a vague sort of “self rediscovery” that I guess makes sense if you’re very rich or just really bored in 1932. But man, the visuals – all this Pacific paradise and actual, proper film grain – it’s like leafing through granddad’s old holiday album.

We watched this once at a rained-out camping trip outside Borlänge, everyone crowded in a tent, listening to wind and trying not to spill chips. I remember how we all started rooting for Fairbanks to eat the damn coconut, like it was some heroic act. Think there’s something in that – sometimes survival means making something fun out of not much, you know?

It’s not peak cinema, but if you want goofy oldschool vibes and a reminder to pack sunscreen AND snacks, this is your film, I swear.

watch the full movie on Mavshack Movies on YouTube

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