Search for adventure and loneliness: 10 beautiful films about uninhabited islands

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Adaptations of Stevenson and Jules Verne, witty comedies and dramas that will help you escape the hustle and bustle.

10. Beach

• USA, UK, 2000.
• Adventure, drama, melodrama.
• Duration: 119 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 7.

The young American Richard goes in search of adventure. Once in Thailand, he falls into the hands of a map that can lead to a mysterious island. There is a commune in which everyone is equal and completely happy. Richard goes to seek this heaven on earth. But it soon turns out that even in such a place there may be problems.

This picture is the result of the work of several very talented people at once. It is based on the book by Alex Garland, the future author of Out of the Machine and Annihilation. The director was the famous Denny Boyle, who shot Trainspotting.

And the main role was played by Leonardo DiCaprio, who just became a star after the success of "Titanic". By the way, initially, Ewan McGregor, Boyle's longtime friend, was supposed to appear in the role of Richard. But the director changed his plans, because of which the actor was offended for many years.

9. Robinson Crusoe

• Mexico, USA, 1954.
• Adventure, drama.
• Duration: 90 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 7.

The adaptation of the book of the same name by Daniel Defoe tells the story of a sailor from York who is shipwrecked and stranded on a desert island. There he first has to survive completely alone. However, then he meets a dark-skinned native, whom he calls Friday.

The picture was staged by the Spaniard Luis Buñuel, who moved to Mexico at that time. Initially, he became famous as an author inclined towards more surreal works. But in Robinson Crusoe, Buñuel retells the plot of the original rather closely. The film became his English-language debut, which paved the way for American cinema.

8. Signor Robinson

• Italy, 1976.
• Comedy, adventure, melodrama.
• Duration: 107 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 7.

Roberto Mingelli - a clothing store owner from Milan - survives a shipwreck and ends up on a desert island. In essence, he becomes the new Robinson. However, accustomed to the benefits of civilization, Roberto thinks not only about food and lodging - he is trying to replace television and going to bars. And even his Friday is a beautiful Aboriginal.

It's hard to believe that Sergio Corbucci, now known by many for the brutal Django, made this light parody of an adventure classic. The main role in the film was played by Paolo Villaggio - the same Fantozzi from the series of comedy films.

But even more, the audience fell in love with the model Zeudi Araya, who was just being promoted in comedies with erotic overtones. Signor Robinson remained her most popular work.

7. Lord of the flies

• Great Britain, 1963.
• Adventure, drama, thriller.
• Duration: 92 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 9.

A group of schoolchildren survives a plane crash and ends up on a desert island. Left without adults, they establish their own rules: watch, fire maintenance, and even the order of speaking at general meetings. But not everyone wants to adhere to these agreements. And soon the students are divided into two camps.

The film, based on the dystopia of the same name by William Golding, is largely composed of young actors' improvisations. Director Peter Brook let them learn the lyrics, but otherwise maintained a free-flowing behavior on set.

Ironically, none of the actors was able to attend the premiere of Lord of the Flies: due to the cruelty shown on the screen, the film was given an "adult" rating. It doesn't matter what these children themselves played in the dark scenes.

6. Treasure Island

• USSR, 1972.
• Adventures.
• Duration: 82 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 9.

The pirate Billy Bones arrives at the Admiral Benbow tavern, where young Jim Hawkins works. He is hiding from former accomplices who hunt for a map of the island where the treasure is buried. Before the death of Billy Bons, Jim manages to steal the paper and, together with his new friends, goes in search of the treasure. But pirates infiltrate the ship under the guise of a team.

The classic adventure novel by Robert Louis Stevenson has been screened more than a dozen times. Only in the USSR three versions were released, of which viewers remember the funny cartoon of David Cherkassky best of all. But the picture of Evgeny Fridman also deserves attention. At least thanks to the genius music of Alexei Rybnikov.

5. Mysterious island

• USSR, 1941.
• Adventure, fantasy.
• Duration: 75 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 0.

During the American Civil War, several prisoners flee the besieged city in a hot air balloon. The hurricane takes them to a desert island, and now the heroes need to get used to the conditions of the wild, because they have almost no means of survival.

For the first time the book "The Mysterious Island" by Jules Verne was filmed in the United States back in 1929. But for the Soviet audience, its version eventually became a real legend. The production of Eduard Penzlin with the magnificent Alexei Krasnopolsky in the title role still looks exciting to this day.

4. Delightful Crichton

• Great Britain, USA, 1957.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 94 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 1.

Experienced butler William Crichton serves the family of the Earl of Lawton and does not even think about another life. But when the whole family, along with the servants, sets out on a voyage, the ship explodes. On the island where the heroes find themselves, it quickly becomes clear that Crichton should now lead. After all, only he is somehow adapted to wild conditions.

The comedy film by Lewis Gilbert, who would later direct several James Bond films, plays on a classic role-reversal story in a challenging setting. And this happens without undue drama. But in the main, "Delightful Crichton" was loved because of the talent of the leading actor Kenneth More.

3. Swiss family of Robinsons

• USA, 1960.
• Adventures.
• Duration: 126 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 2.

The Robinsons and their three sons move to a colony in New Guinea. On the way, pirates attack the ship, and the team escapes, leaving the passengers to fend for themselves. The ship crashes, and the Robinsons find themselves on the island, where they have to establish their colony. However, pirates can get here too.

The film is based on the book "Swiss Robinson" by Johann David Wyss, which was filmed twice in the 1940s. But the Walt Disney studio version turned out to be the most popular. Partly due to the fact that the authors really chose an incredibly beautiful location for filming - the island of Tobago.

At the same time, the film crew and actors complained about problems with scorpions, snakes, barracudas, quicksand, scorching sun and insects. And this is not to mention the scenes with animals, followed by 14 trainers.

2. Carried away by an extraordinary fate in the azure sea in August

• Italy, 1974.
• Adventure, melodrama, comedy.
• Duration: 114 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 6.

The wealthy beauty Rafaella treats the working class with contempt, often speaking out loud the most offensive thoughts. But one day she gets stuck at sea with poor communist Gennarino. The couple makes it to the island, where their roles change. Now the man is in charge, and Rafaella is forced to obey.

The film by Oscar winner Lina Wertmüller combines dialogues about politics and melodrama about relationships between people from different walks of life. But at the same time, all this is presented in the form of a comedy.

In 2002, Guy Ritchie directed a remake of the film Gone With Madonna in the title role. The new version came out completely unsuccessful and is considered the worst work of a director.

1. Outcast

• USA, 2000.
• Drama, melodrama, adventure.
• Duration: 143 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 8.

Delivery worker Chuck Noland goes on business in Malaysia. But the plane on which he flies falls into the sea. Chuck - the only survivor of the disaster - gets to the island, where he will have to live all alone.

The emotional picture with Tom Hanks very vividly tells about the loneliness and despair of a person who is in a difficult situation. The ball, which the protagonist turned into his imaginary friend, became a striking symbol of "Outcast". And still everyone is trying to guess what was in the package that Chuck did not open.