The Adventures Of Robison Crusoe, 1964
Another one of those overseas TV shows dubbed into English that popped up during kids summer holidays TV back in the day.
The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe was a kids TV drama series. Based on the 1719 novel by Daniel Defoe it was made by Franco London Films.
The show was first aired in Germany in 1964 where it was broadcast as four 90 minute episodes. It aired in the USA the same year.
It would be a year later (1965) before it hit UK TV screens for the first time. For us the show was dubbed into English had a new soundtrack and aired as a 13 part serial. It was one of a a number of dubbed shows often shown on Kids TV over the summer holidays during the 1970’s. It last appeared in the early 1980’s.
Summary
The serial tells the story of a young Englishman’s struggle for survival on an unknown desert island, and his recollections of his adventures prior to the shipwreck that brought him there, in particular his involvement with slave traders. He has his pet dog Dick, a parrot and a goat for company.
In the latter half of the story a group of cannibals arrive on his island; he repels them by means of explosives, and in the process rescues a man from becoming their next meal; he names him Friday.
In the end he comes to terms with his less-than-exemplary past, and becomes a better man thanks to his experiences on the island, befriending Friday and putting his life in order.
Clips
Cast
Robinson Crusoe – Robert Hoffman (English voice by Lee Payant)
Fabian Cevallos – Friday
Details
Channel: BBC1
Written By: Based on the novel by Daniel Defoe
UK Transmission Dates: 1965, August 1975 (summer holidays), 1977 (Sat mornings), April – June 1982 (Get set For Summer)