Stars:
Dawn Wells, Russell Johnson, and Bob Denver
Writer:
Duane Poole
Director:
Paul A. Kaufman
Feature
length: 85 minutes
Extras:
Outtakes, Home Movies, Behind-The-Scenes Comparisons, Casting Session Clips,
Castaways Trivia Game, Detailed Listing Of All 98 Original Episodes –
Airdates, Synopses, And Guest Stars, Island Recipes, Lagoon Fun Facts, Photo
Gallery
Languages:
English Dolby Stereo
Subtitles:
English Closed Captions and Spanish Language Subtitles
Packaging:
Amaray Keep Case
Chapter
Stops: 27
Sound:
Dolby Stereo Sound
Year
of DVD Release: 2002
Home
Video Distributor: Artisan Home Entertainment
MPAA
Rating: Not Rated
Reviewer:
Mark A. Rivera
You
know as silly as it seems when one looks back on television history, it is hard
to deny the success “Gilligan’s Island” has made upon the history of
television. The series was a not a critical favorite and the network that ran it
did not understand why it people watched it, but during the original three year
broadcast television run, “Gilligan’s Island” was one of the most highly
viewed comedy series on television and found a place in the consciousness of
generations of young TV watchers whose kids still watch the series today.
Sherwood Schwartz, who would go on to create another historic TV series entitled
“The Brady Bunch,” created the series. Ten years after the series’
cancellation, the first of three TV movies reuniting most of the cast members
followed too.
Now
I have not given “Gilligan’s Island” much thought since I was a kid, but I
have to say that it is easy to take for granted the success the show has had. Of
course TV has changed as it always does and I would not want to see a new
incarnation of “Gilligan’s Island” appear on the big or small screen
mainly because most films based on TV programs fail to get the right mix of what
made the original special for today’s audience. However maybe I’m wrong when
it comes to “Gilligan’s Island” if only because both feature film
adaptations of “The Brady Bunch” were very funny and if Sherwood Schwartz
could make lightening strike twice with two TV shows then maybe he could do it
on the big screen too? We’ll have to wait and see.
What
I liked about “Surviving Gilligan’s Island” is that it works as both a
retrospective drama and homage to the series with Dawn Wells (Mary Ann,) Russell
Johnson (The Professor,) and Bob Denver (Gilligan) appearing in this TV movie
and being very honest and humble as well as thankful for being able to
participate in the series. Of course there is a bittersweet feeling that comes
across sometimes as we learn about how some of the actors passed away and so on,
but there is also a lot to be admired in these stories like how jolly Alan Hale
(The Skipper) was to his fans, Natalie Schaeffer’s (Mrs. Howell) age while
filming the series, which was never known by anyone until after her death, but
it will shock you, and some surprising behind-the-scenes secrets are revealed
here perhaps for the first time for many at least. The cast recruited to play
the actors in their younger days has a surprising likeness not only in
appearance, but also in body language. It is like they channeled the spirits of
the original cast into their performances, which in some ways makes this TV film
the best post “Gilligan’s Island” feature ever.
Artisan
Home Entertainment’s DVD edition presents “Surviving Gilligan’s Island”
in the original (1.33:1) aspect ratio of the television broadcast. The image
reveals a little grain here and there, but overall is very bright and colorful.
The English Dolby Stereo Soundtrack is clear and there are English Closed
Captions for the hearing impaired and Spanish Language Subtitles encoded on to
the DVD as options.
Extra
features include some super-8 behind-the-scenes footage courtesy of Dawn Wells,
a detailed listing of all 98 original episodes with airdates, synopses, and
guest star appearances that can be read on one’s TV screen without the need of
a DVD-ROM drive. (This feature alone with the film makes the DVD worth buying
for fans), never-before-seen outtakes for the original series as well as this TV
film, side by side comparisons of behind-the-scenes footage with actual footage
comparisons, casting session clips for this TV movie, lagoon fun facts sprinkled
about the interactive menus, a photo gallery, themed island recipes, and a
rather challenging trivia game.
The
interactive menus are animated complete with a map of the island and areas where
various events from the series occurred. “Surviving
Gilligan’s Island: The Incredibly True Story Of The Longest Three-Hour Tour In
History: Collector’s Edition” is a must-get DVD for TV buffs, series fans,
and a must see DVD for anyone who has fond memories of watching the series on
TV. “Surviving Gilligan’s Island: The Incredibly
True Story Of The Longest
Three-Hour Tour In History: Collector’s Edition” is available on DVD-Video
now for the low suggested retail price of $19.98 at retailers on and offline
from Artisan Home Entertainment.
©
Copyright 2002 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.