A brilliant film that helped define a genre

Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

If there was ever a show that actually is a "social microcosm", as Sherwood Schwartz stated, Gilligan's Island is it...the history and background of the show is gold to classic TV buffs...and this movie's format is perfect to tell the story of the "3 hour tour"...if the company that produced the film was thinking straight, they would re-release the DVD...after all, there's a whole new audience to inform...there are so many side stories that add to the aura of the show, it's as if you are at the set and behind the scenes, right there watching TV history being made...as a side note, Sherwood's book about the show is also a find...search the used bins, online sources, etc., and see if you can find the DVD...the search will be worth it!

I loved this documentary but kinda got the impression it was somewhat biased against Tina Louise. She is portrayed as selfish and self-centered in the show and the documentary states incorrectly she never participated in any reunions and cut her ties to the show because she thought it hurt her career. She did on several occasions appear in reunions the most famous was the 1988 Gilligan's Island reunion on the David Letterman show which was the last time the entire cast was together before the passings of Jim Backus in 1989, Alan Hale Jr in 1990 then Natalie Schafer in 1991. Tina has also appeared at a few others reunions the most recent was the TV Land awards. Still this documentary sheds light on a great deal of what went on behind the scenes and a must have for anyone who grew up on this show. The story of Jim Backus' battle with Parkinsons is compelling as is the story of Natalie Schafer's battle with breast cancer.

Gilligan's Island was on the air about 20 years before I was born. I only ever watched the show on reruns, and even then I wasn't old enough to appreciate it. But after watching this special, I found myself wishing that I could watch the show on SuperStation once again. At the end of the special I was wishing that it wasn't over, that I had taped it so that I could show my friends and family. It was a really fun special, and I just had to watch it, even though it was on until midnight.

The best thing that I can say about the tv movie "SURVIVING GILLIGAN'S ISLAND" is that the actors impersonating the original cast did an exceptional job ! In particular ERIC ALLAN KRAMER as 'Alan Hale Jr.', KRISTEN DALTON as 'Tina Louise', and although she doesn't resemble her much E.J. PEAKER (as 'Natalie Schafer) got her 'Lovey Howell' mannerisms down to an art. You can't pick on this tv movie for not being art, for the series on which it was based was ripped apart by critics from the beginning. It is, however, pure Americana, silly & fun. Reminds us of our childhoods or a (supposedly) simpler time. Interspersed with accounts by BOB DENVER, RUSSELL JOHNSON, (this)tv movie's co-producer DAWN WELLS and re-enactments to showcase what occurred regarding the original series of "GILLIGAN'S ISLAND", you just wonder why it was given so much build up and shown in a primetime spot on CBS on a Sunday night. Does the content belongs more to a 3 page spread in PEOPLE Magazine than in a 2 hour movie ? You be the judge. Some parts of the re-enactments are downright painful in their corniness. A scene where the late JIM BACKUS is supposedly accosted by a hooker in Rome in the late 60s ("See what ya get for 5 dollars !") has the feel of a lounge lizard's stand up routine. Quite a few times while watching, I had to remind myself that this wasn't some kiddie show on the FAMILY Channel. Apparently, aside from constant slighting by a (then)less than enthusiastic network, the 'castaways' had a good time doing the series. That is, minus TINA LOUISE, who comes off as something of a prima donna. The re-enactments have TINA LOUISE as less than accommodating to fans denying that she is indeed 'Ginger' from "GILLIGAN'S ISLAND", and generally being 'oh so superior'. LOUISE is also the only remaining cast member who wants nothing more to do with "GILLIGAN'S ISLAND", yet this is probably her best known role. Overall, I'd say that unless you are the most ardent of fans, "SURVIVING GILLIGAN'S ISLAND" is an unnecessary exercise in going behind the scenes.