Robinson Crusoe, based on the novel by Daniel Defoe - 8.4 out of 10

Robinson Crusoe, based on the novel by Daniel Defoe
8.4 out of 10


One of the best known novels of all time, Robinson Crusoe, has seen many adaptations and re-interpretations...the best I know is Vendredi out Last Vie Sauvage, reviewed at realini.blogspot.com.

The movie that has been released in 1997, with a skilled Pierce Brosnan in the leading role is not overwhelming, but does a decent job of rendering the familiar tale of the man who had fought a duel, becomes wanted in his home country and thus exiles himself on a ship that encounters the 'never seen before' category five hurricane...the last is just a joke, referring to idiot Trump, who has been recorded several times, over the years, stating that he has never heard of a category five hurricane...then he heard...and then again he never heard...The Supreme Fool.
The severe storm or hurricane wrecks the ship and Robinson Crusoe is the only survivor, who manages to return and get from the sinking vessel all he needs to survive on land, gun powder, guns, tools and maybe most important of all, a canine companion that would make life in solitude bearable.

Indeed, when he discovers that this territory is actually an island, the hero despairs to some extent.
Nonetheless, he becomes famous for his optimism as well.

In a phenomenal book of positive psychology, The Happiness Formula by Stephan Klein, the author mentions the list made by the solitary survivor:

Negative on one side and positive on the other...
Negative - I got shipwrecked 
Positive - I survived
Negative - this is an island
Positive- I have the means to gather food...

Some of the above are not quoted from the novel or The Hapiness Formula, but the point was that staying optimistic, the hero would manage to survive as opposed to letting himself get depressed and eventually destroyed by the adversities of his situation.
Over past decades, the relationship with Friday has been reviewed, for the original balance of powers, attitudes have been wrong.

I mean, this was the age when whites took other races in slavery and Friday mentions this abomination to the one who calls himself Master in the beginning.
But the dynamic and bond is reconsidered, even in this adaptation.

In the first place, the white self proclaimed ruler of the island sees Friday as a savage...as a matter of fact, Crusoe saved Friday from death at the hands of natives that were canibals.
Slowly, the two men become best friends, but only after a few clashes and a period wherein Robinson calls himself Master.