(Credit: Netflix)

Every now and then, an old classic quietly resurfaces on Netflix, and suddenly, everyone is watching it. For some, watching it is a nostalgic rewatch, whereas for others, it is their discovery of the film for the first time. And it seems the same thing is happening to the Pierce Brosnan-starring Robinson Crusoe. The surprising part is that this film hit the theatres nearly 30 years ago, and it has resurfaced on the Netflix charts of the global top ten movies.

This 1997 adventure flick is loosely based on the classic novel by Daniel Defoe and has been an all-time favourite subject of filmmakers. From time to time, directors pick it and serve it with the touch of their unique flavouring. And, people have enjoyed it every time.

It will be safe to categorise it as an ageless movie, which will be a subject for filmmakers to experiment with and narrate in the upcoming decades. This might be just the reason that a three-decade-old movie is still trending on Netflix’s top ten global movie list.

It is the story of a man named Robinson Crusoe, who leaves Britain after killing a friend. As he is on the run, he boards a ship that gets stuck on a remote island after being wrecked in a storm. Crusoe is left stranded on the island, and it is the story of his survival. With limited resources and no humans around, the protagonist struggles to survive alone. Living with himself forces him to confront his past and the power of nature. However, the story takes a turn when he meets a native man named Friday, and a complicated alliance is formed between them.

The film carries a retro vibe of 1990s sweeping landscapes, philosophical voiceovers, and a great deal of dramatic ocean stares. However, directors Rod Hardy and George T. Miller have tried to add the angle of colonialism along with unconventionally exploring survival and loneliness. This gives the movie a deeper impact and makes it a lot more than a survival-adventure flick.

Pierce Brosnan has nailed this role of a survivor, which was a big deal given that he had gained global popularity for playing a certain suave agent, aka 007. His quiet and introspective performance anchors the entire story perfectly.

The question now is why this really old movie is trending now. Well, the major reason behind it is pure nostalgia. Back then, the movie came and went quietly as it was overshadowed by a lot of big-budget blockbusters of that time. But with Brosnan’s name associated with it, it has got a lot of weightage, and hence, people are giving it a second look.

Indeed, the film did not create a ripple effect when it was released, but its release on Netflix has given it a second chance. So if you are in the mood to watch an adventure based on a timeless literary classic, Robinson Crusoe is a must watch for you. This forgotten gem is guaranteed to make you feel something.