Robinson Crusoe (1964)

Network video released this wonderful series on video in the early '90 and have recently released a DVD box set. I've got the DVD box set and it's not as good as I'd hoped it would be - that is, it's not been restored - but it's okay, and the interview with Robert Hoffmann is interesting to see (and there's a good stills gallery too).

Most of the DVDs that have been selling on Ebay have been taken from the Network videos, so claims by sellers that what they're selling is public domain material are probably untrue. However, I don't know if the series itself is actually public domain. In the interview with Robert Hoffmann, recorded to promote the video release in the '90s, it's stated that the videos were from one of the last surviving copies of the English version that was found in an archive in France; so maybe on-one ever renewed the copyright and the original material is in fact public domain. I'm doubtful that it is, but then I don't know how long copyright on such a show lasts (and the copyright would presumably be French, even on the English version, as that was made in France too as far as I know). If the series is public domain, then Network didn't need a license to release it, but they have the rights on their videos; if it's not public domain, then Network will have obtained the appropriate license for their video/DVD releases.

Anyway... if you're a fan of the series (and most people over 40 are!!!), the recent DVD set is more than worth the money. I doubt if we'll see a better version released in the foreseeable future.

Pam



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"I am not young enough to know everything." : Oscar Wilde

I have to disagree about the quality of the print, it's a lot better than some I've seen, however the sound could have done with some cleaning up. Robert Hoffmann comes across as a lovely man in his interview, which was spoilt by the bimbo interviewer who was picked for her looks and not her talent.

I am a four eyed evil genius.