Shipwrecked (PG, 1991)

SHIPWRECKED centers on a young Norwegian named Hakon (Stian Smestad), who, due to a family financial crisis, becomes a seaman to save his family's home. The crew initiates him by hanging him from the mast, but Hakon watches, learns, works hard, and soon fits in well. When the captain dies, First Mate Howell (Gabriel Byrne) takes over, but Howell isn't really who he says he is. Hakon befriends Mary, a brave young stowaway, but the friendship leads to trouble for young Hakon. When the ship sinks, Hakon washes ashore on an island, where he discovers pirate treasure--and a newspaper clipping with a drawing of Howell, who turns out to be the pirate Merrick. Hakon knows Merrick will come for the treasure, and sets up elaborate booby traps all over the island. Seeing smoke on another island, he builds a small boat, and explores it. He finds Mary and another shipmate living with friendly natives. They return to Hakon's island, just before the pirates come to get the treasure. Between the traps and Mary's liberation of the ship, they manage to get away with the treasure, and return to Hakon's home in triumph.

Neglected on its release, this is an exciting adventure, and a lot of fun to watch. Hakon does a lot of growing up. At the beginning he is a young boy who can only fight bullies by telling them to wait for his father. At the end he is a young man who is confident of his ability to protect himself.

Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Nils Gaup
Cast: Gabriel Byrne, Louisa Haigh, Stian Smestad
Genre: Action/Adventure
Run time: 92 minutes
Theatrical release: March 1, 1991
DVD release: August 26, 2008
MPAA Rating: PG