The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe (Mexico, 1954) 90 min color DIR: Luis Buñuel. SCR: Hugo Butler, Luis Buñuel, based on Daniel Defoe’s novel. PROD: Oscar Dancigers, George Pepper. MUSIC: Anthony Collins. DOP: Alex Phillips. CAST: Dan O’Herlihy, Jaime Fernandez. (United Artists – US release)
Dan O’Herlihy was Oscar-nominated for his role as Crusoe, in a rare English-language film by the legendary iconoclast filmmaker Luis Buñuel, made during his “Director for Hire” days, when he made a lot of “potboilers” in Mexico. They do share one characteristic with this seemingly “classical” Hollywood film: you have to dig a bit for the subversion, but you will be rewarded for your trouble.
I’ve not read the Daniel Defoe novel that has inspired all of the Crusoe film adaptations, but in this version (co-scripted by Buñuel), Crusoe apparently went on this voyage to escape English commerce, and then found more than he bargained for when he became stranded on this island. All the gold he has is decidedly worth less than a good fire.
There is also a dream sequence thrown in for good measure: Crusoe, recently stranded on the island, sees himself with a long beard. Most peculiar is his relationship with Friday (Jaime Fernandez): although this native is Crusoe’s best friend, he still has Friday refer to him as “Master”. In one amusing scene, the two men discuss religion, where Friday offers the astute observation that if God created sin, therefore can sin really be all that bad? Crusoe’s knee-jerk, blustery response, which is not to question such things, is mostly out of frustration because he can’t really refute Friday’s logic, and then Crusoe talks to his parrot for assurance that he is right! Although unfortunately some of the film appears theatrical and stagebound (Crusoe’s many beards look too “Stick-on”; and his hut appears more like a set than an authentic location), this is nonetheless a fascinating, colourful adventure with typical Buñuel barbs about religion, capitalism and empiricism.
Bravo to VCI for releasing this long unavailable gem to DVD. It may not be the missing link in his career, but this video release is welcome and overdue. (The extras on the disc include an insightful audio interview with Dan O’Herlihy.)