Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #50622 in DVD
• Released on: 2002-09-24
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• ESRB Rating: Teen
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Full Screen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 100 minutes

Amazon.com
While this documentary about the behind-the-scenes machinations that occurred during the production of Gilligan's Island will have its strongest appeal for fans of the TV series, even viewers with a passing interest will find some entertainment in this surprisingly deluxe DVD presentation. Based largely on the recollections of executive producer and original cast member Dawn Wells (Mary Ann), with contributions from Bob Denver (Gilligan) and Russell Johnson (the Professor), the documentary explores the many conflicts endured by the show's cast and production staff before and during the show's network run. None of the gossip is particularly damning (no fistfights or secret trysts between cast members), so viewers looking for Behind the Music-type dirt may be somewhat disappointed. But for classic TV fans and Gilligan aficionados, Surviving Gilligan's Island is a pleasant and well-produced diversion. --Paul Gaita

DVD features
The supplemental features are the real reason to check out this full-screen disc. The most informative of the lot is the episode synopsis, which provides plot synopses, airdates, and cast listings for all 98 episodes from the series' three seasons. The Island Recipes--24 in total--are also surprisingly elaborate. Less intriguing are the outtakes and behind-the-scenes movies (shot by Dawn Wells), though they should offer interest for Gilligan completists. The extras are rounded out by a fairly tough trivia game, which offers more home movie footage to those who complete the challenge. The bright and active animated menus feature a wealth of pop-up cartoons and trivia tidbits ("Lagoon Fun Facts"). --Paul Gaita

Customer Reviews

Could not have been better - A Must for Gilligan Fans
This show was perfection. Anyone who enjoys the classic show Gilligan's Island MUST see this Documentary. The re-enactments were great. Much better then just showing pictures and old clips. It shows how the show was created having look alike characters play the parts of the original cast. These actors were very entertaining. Especially when I wasn't too excited about seeing new actors filling the roles. But it turned out to be perfect. The DVD menus and extras are themed very closely to the show and make for some fun amusement. This just makes me want all 3 seasons from the original series on DVD even more. I cannot wait for that day to come. All Gilligan Island lovers must own this DVD.

A TRIP BACK IN TIME.
What a wonderful, wonderful film this is! "Gilligan's Island" was my favorite television show when I was a child, and since then I have read several books on the trials and tribulations of getting it on the air. This film was new to me - it has not been shown on T.V. in England. I am so impressed with the production standards, and the actors and actresses portraying the various people involved with the original series, while not being carbon copies of them, suggest them very well. It's also great to see Dawn Wells, Russell Johnson and Bob Denver helping with the narration. As well as this excellent film, which is very moving in parts, the dvd also comes with some great extras, including home movies and a very challenging trivia quiz! I would recommend this dvd to anybody who loves "Gilligan's Island". It is, quite simply, fabulous!

Just sit right back and you'll here a tale...
Although this comedy was not well received at first, to this day it is still shown all over the world and in many different languages. This DVD tells the story of seven castaways from beginning to end. Reinactments give you a visualization of how the show came about and why it was such a success. Picture quality is superior. A must see for Gilligan's Isle fans!