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I would occasionally catch this movie on TV when I was younger, and it always brings out a nostalgic, innocent and adventurous feeling every time I watch it. It is a family-oriented film about a young Norwegian boy named Haakon Haakonsen, who works as a cabin boy on a ship in the 1850s, and then discovers that those on board are actually pirates.

It is a great story to bring the family together, full of adventure, morals and heroism, all supported by some good acting performances from the respective cast and an impressive island and ocean scenery. As a result, this movie kind of reminds me of Disney's Swiss Family Robinson, but is Norwegian-made and the story centers more on the kid than the Robinson movie.

You won't find too much of the Hollywood-style action, drama or suspense in this movie, as evident with the overall simple and innocent atmosphere; it's mostly a feel-good film that has a perfect storybook setting for children, but also suitable for adults.

Grade B

Very cute, "lightly" based on the work of Robert Louis Stevenson, "The Treasure Island", despite being highly popular in the cinematographic world, the plot always attracts me, sea, shipwrecked, island (desert or not), cute and determined children, evil pirates, fun and adventure...

I wasn't expecting much when I picked up a DVD of this title. I thought it would be full of inept kid actors and suitable only for the younger ones.

Well, I was in for a pleasant surprise. The acting was quite good although occasionally I got the impression that certain actors seemed slightly strained, as if English might not be their native language. I was quite impressed with the kid (Haakon)...He was great. Great sets and scenery too! The story was weak in a few spots, but then I'm analyzing a family film from an adult perspective. But the story was much better than most family films I've seen lately. Character development could have used just a small bit of improvement. But then again, it was much better than most movies of this genre.

I won't spoil the story except to say that the ending is stereotypical. But I guess that is to be expected in a family film.

I'm giving a high (8) recommendation on this title. If your family likes pirate/treasure-type movies (Treasure Island, Goonies, etc.) you will surely enjoy this one. I enjoyed watching this, even as an adult.

P.S. I am curious as to why Haakon (Stian) did not play in any more movies (maybe he did, but I've not discovered them). He seems like the type studios would go "ga ga" over (plus, he seemed talented...unlike most kid actors).

STORY: Haakon Haakonsen is a young boy which joins his older brother, Jens, on a ship with a mostly foreign crew. As the youngest and most unexperienced member of the crew, Haakons gets a really hard time from the others. But he learns fast, and builds up respect from some of the crew over time. Then one day the ship gets hit by a huge storm, and gets wrecked. Haakon Haakonsen wakes up at an island alone. He now stands in front of many challenges, and gets to use the moral, and the skills he have built up inside of him. He also meets some of the crew-members again, and gets to learn that they don't earn all the respect they had on the ship at all. Haakon now stands in front of the challenge of survival, and then to get off the island..

INFORMATION/RATING: The story's time-line I believe is somewhere in the late 1800's or early 1900, as the ship they work on is a Caravel type of ship, among with other time-like indicators.

This is a movie is a good and typical adventure-movie, which contains moral-like characters, and cynic pirate-like characters. Of course, there is a treasure too:) The story in "Shipwrecked" is a lot like "Mutiny on the Bounty", "Robinson Crusoe", so if you like movies/stories like these, you will very probably enjoy this too! "Shipwrecked" is from 1990, and it's a Norwegian-produced movie, so you cannot expect the hugest Hollywood-effects in it, but i think this could be a positive factor too. Still I believe that this is a indicator to the "User Rating" of the movie. Many watchers forget this when they watch movies. My point is; If "Shipwrecked" was made today, with the same story, I believe the user-rating would be up at 7.0 - 7.5 and maybe even higher. As I use to tell my friends: You need to know what you are watching, if not the watch is being watched:) If you are critically focused when you watch this movie, I'm sure you will find a lot of errors and goofs, but if you watch it with clean sheets I'm sure you'll love it. When I take the production year- and production country in mind, i give this movie: 8 of 10

My family and I borrowed this from the library a few months ago. And while I expected it to be good, it was quite frankly fantastic! It's a fun family pirate adventure.

The film begins with notorious - and supposedly "dead" - pirate Merrick murders an officer named Howell and stealing his identity.

In the meantime, a sailor who is unable to return to sea is facing losing his property over debt. His son Haakon volunteers to become a cabin boy in order to financially help his family. His ship winds up taking on an officer Howell - who is none other than Merrick in disguise - as first mate. He quietly poisons the captain, and then takes charge of the vessel, ruling it with an iron fist.

Haakon discovers an Australian girl named Mary on board. After she is discovered, Haakon is saved from a lashing by a sudden storm. The storm sinks the ship. I've forgotten many of the details, but Haakon washes up on an island - alone. He soon discovers that it's Merrick's own hideout, and that he'll be back at some point. He must prepare - while looking for an opportunity to escape.

It's a great family adventure, with very mild violence, no swearing (that I remember), no sex, etc. In other words, completely suitable for children. I found it quite delightful.