Excellent movie, it should have won best picture, and it should have won Hanks another Oscar.

This film is just about perfect, another successful Hanks/Zemeckis/Silvestri collaboration. Tom Hanks demonstrates again his renowned commitment and style. Robert Zemeckis is on top of his game here and deserves as much credit for what isn't in the film as for what is. And the music...oh God, the music. It's notable for not existing till almost the end, but by then you're ready for it. It says it all, carries it right over the top, speaks to a place inside beyond the movie. You will know what it means to be 'cast away', if you dare.
Fortunately, Zemeckis is not Tchaikovsky. See this movie and you'll know what I mean.

Anytime Robert Zemckis makes a movie I take notice. He more than even Speilberg is the stereotypical American Director(like Frank Capra).

So what about Cast Away. I think it's a pretty good movie, a little long but then a lot happens.

Watching Tom Hanks learn how to survive on the island was educational. I found myself asking, "Do I know how to make fire?" "Do I know how to find water?" Crazy questions I guess every should ask.

The setting of the island was beautiful yet with an ironic twist. By that I mean scenicly it is beautiful, but absent are all things that make life worth living, namely companionship(no offense Wilson)

The love story at the end was painful and when the two were looking at each other in the rain it was like they wanted to kiss more than breathe.


I really liked the movie and the extas are worth the cost of the movie by itself.

The movie is well known so I will just state I was very happy with the picture/sound on this disc as others have stated. Was nice to revisit the movie, not sure how many times one would want to replay it but it has some great demo scenes!

I own the original DVD version of the film and love it; it's one of my very favorite movies. So I was pretty excited to see it out on Blu-ray and picked it up. I knew that the island scenes would be amazing with the higher resolution...

I was wrong.

I'm seeing this in other movies, too. Some films, like the Pirates of the Carribean series are so sharp they makes your eyes hurt. Cast Away looked so much like the regular DVD version I though I'd bought the old format version.

I'm convinced there must be a cheap fast way and an expensive right way to issue a blu-ray film, and I'm convinced the studio took the easy way out on this one. Since I've got both version it's easy to compare, and sad to say, the blu-ray isn't worth the money. It's an awesome story, but I expected more from the blu-ray experience. Other movies do.

Aristotle once wrote that man is a social animal. That this passage has been translated as man is a "political" animal is beside the point. The main point is the same, which is that our lives are defined by the people whom we spend them with.

Tom Hanks portrays a FED EX executive. In his line of work, time is everything. Time is what defines the parameters of his organization's business model. After an airplane crash, he ends up stranded on a tropical island where time has no meaning at all. It doesn't matter whether today is Tuesday or Saturday as there is no difference between the one and the other.

What is worse is that heis also totally alone, cut-off from civilization. His only "companion" is a soccer ball that FED EX was trying to ship across the world. For those who think this silly, I would challenge you to put yourself in his shoes and see how long YOU would last in isolation w/out going nuts! There is some very nice symbolism in the film when it is finally time for him to let go of the soccer ball.

This is both a depressing and an uplifting film, both at the same time. The movie doesn't drag on, which is one worry that I had when I picked it up. The pacing is good and there always seems to be something that draws your interest in the story. In short, another fine Tom Hanks flick!

Cast Awat starring Tom Hanks is a good and sad film but it runs 45 minutes too long. The beginning and middle are the best and satisfying parts, the last hour is a bit of a letdown and the ending is left open so the viewer can ponder what road this man has decided to embark on. Hanks is the best thing in this film, his acting is remarkable, only he could pull off this quiet but intense performance. Helen Hunt is miscast and so is Chris Noth. Cast Away is worth a viewing, so check it sometime.

I can think of only a handful of movies that have their audiences cheering the indefatigable resiliency of the human spirit. "Papillon" certainly comes to mind, as does "Bridge Over the River Kwai." CAST AWAY definitely can be added to such an elite list; director Robert Zemeckis and headliner Tom Hanks deliver an absorbing, intense story about one man's refusal to be involuntarily exiled for the remainder of his days.

Oh, the things we take for granted. Running water. Hot food. A roof over our heads. Imagine your predicament should you suddenly find yourself with none of these things--imagine your predicament if you had virtually no survival skills. Such is the fate of Tom Hanks' character (a retentive, nondescript FedEx midmanager); one minute he's on a flight over the Pacific; the next he's on a secluded beach. And thus both the character and the audience embark on a journey of discovery, as neither the cast away nor those viewing this film know how the survivor will be able to. . .survive.

Accordingly, the conflict of the plot stubbornly yields to a series of victories--the audience and the character are simultaneously elated: elated when that first coconut is opened; when that first fire is started; when--after four long, solitary years--a durable raft is built that will transport its lone passenger beyond the unforgiving barrier reef. And finally, following rescue, following the aftermath of a disheartening, yet poignant, reunion with a former lover (Helen Hunt makes the most out of this small, yet powerful, role), the audience celebrates when Hanks' character stands at the crossroads of a desolate Texas intersection--literally in the middle of nowhere. For the viewers realize, as does the character, that following four years of rugged survival under harsh conditions, any subsequent obstacles or decisions are gravy. Pure gravy.

Tom Hanks singlehandedly and wonderfully carries this movie. He's believable, compelling, empathetic--funny. This is easily one of his signature roles; and CAST AWAY is a signature celebration of the indomitable human spirit.
--D. Mikels, Author, Walk-On

I thought Tom was superb in his character as someone who alway holds it together, and then all of sudden he losses it. I thought Wow! what would you do to survive. He and his imaginary friend Wilson. I thought only Tom could have pulled this off. His acting was fantastic how he cried for his friend Wilson and I cried too. You can actually feel the pain that he felt for his friend. I was wondering why he didn't open that one package. you found out at the end. Great movie.

"Castaway" (with Tom Hanks) was a good movie until the end, when it grabs the brass ring of greatness (in my humble opinion).

It wasn't enough that he survived the island. (And remember, he didn't get out by just hanging on; he found a way to get beyond the reef.) He must now decide if he is going to survive the loss of the love of his life.

If you have ever realized you let go of a great love, then you understood what was great about it. You have the chance to take that realization, growth, and self-awareness to your next relationship, making it worlds better that the first. But its not that easy.

It takes courage to move on and trust that the future contains unknown miracles. Ironically, that courage may be the thing your next love finds most attractive about you.

I absolutely adore the last scene. He is literally at a crossroads in the middle of nowhere. He must chose between a misery to which he is completely entitled, or once again, scraping together whatever courage he can find.

I imagine that he turns his car around, and drives back toward the woman with the wings (another great metaphor). We don't know if they start a relationship. But it doesn't really matter because we know he will continue to find the courage to move on.

Of course, I imagine that they do. I imagine that she initially sees him as an odd, mildly attractive man of her own age. They discuss the package he left at her door, which leads to an offer of iced tea and a discussion of his experience on the island which takes all afternoon and into the evening. Afterwards, she can no longer see his face as clearly as she can see his heart.

Video arrived sooner than I'd expected and in excelent condition, like brand new. We watched the movie last night and throughly enjoy the performance given by the entire cast but especially by Tom Hanks.

I can't believe people waste money on this bloated Fedex infomercial! They must be the same people that keep voting Republican or Democrat and thinking that each time they will get a different result.

Tom Hanks in this movie is the best when he is by himself on the island. His acting range is great for this role. I compare it to Saving Private Ryan, Philadelphia and Forrest Gump. Picture/Audio quality are just above average on blu-ray. Worth a buy because of him.

Wonderful film. Amazing storyline, although a smidge far fetched, is believable. Prepare for an emotional roller-coaster ride and to be immersed in the film.... you just about feel like you're right along side Chuck Noland and Wilson.

There some good things in Cast Away take Tom Hank's performance for example but that it's it. The rest of the cast isn't in the film long enough for one to get a vibe of how they would have acted. For over an hour there's no dialouge jsut Hanks standing around. If you're a Hanks fanatic then this is the movie for you, otherwise stay away.

I liked the movie, good performances all around. While you can be excited for Hank's survival skills, you also know the inevitable. It is a very long movie, full of emotion, and for suckers like me that have to have a happy ending, this may be the one to skip.

Hanks is on a fedex job on Christmas Eve that he really doesnt want to do, but he does it as he is a workaholic. The plane crashes, and Hanks survives with the many packages in transit.

It was a good movie, worth seeing, but I wouldnt own it as I know seeing it once I wouldnt be in the mood to see it again.

This was a pretty good movie. The ending in bitter sweet. I won't give it away, but it was pretty good writing. Tom's performance was good also. HOWEVER - my big pet peeve is the shameless product placement. The first 30 minutes is a non-stop commercial for FedEx. How much did they pay for that kind of coverage?! It was very distracting. I've heard people express anger over the shameless Wilson football advtertising, but the FexEx advertising was way more insulting. Come on folks! You call yourselves artists! "Sell outs" is all that comes to mind when I'm forced to watch the FedEx logo a million times before I've finished my small buttered popcorn. This would have been a 4-star movie, but I'm taking 2 stars away for being forced to watch advertising. Maybe in the sequel to Cast Away Tom can get stranded on another island, with only Doritos, KFC and Pepsi to sustain him. Luckily, he has Sony GPS this time around, and with a washed up kayak from Sports Gear, he's able to find his way back to civilization. I think I'll pen that screenplay and FedEx it to Hollywood.

One can make a case that Cast Away was Robert Zemeckis' last great film. After the underrated Contact, he focused attention on making a story in which for a good chunk of the movie, there's no dialogue or score. Whereas nowadays he seems more concerned with testing his new expensive toys (CG technology) than combining it with a story which he always did so well. It's not exactly one of the best of his career and if it wasn't for the main performance, it probably wouldn't mean much but that being said, it's good for what they managed to pull off.

Chuck Noland is a FedEx employee obsessed with time and making sure packages are delivered in a speedy manner. With a girlfriend, Kelly, he's planning on marrying, life seems alright until a late Christmas delivery has to be made and while en route, his plane crashes into the Pacific Ocean. Entirely alone on an empty island, the once time-obsessed Chuck now has too much of it and has to learn how to survive.

Cast Away on my first viewing when it first came out was one of those movies that I liked but didn't necessarily love outright. But now and then, there's that desire to re-watch a movie again to refresh your memory or just to see how well it holds up. The film does hold up pretty well and you got to give it to the filmmakers for actually holding our attention for the whole film with no cinema conventions. And credit has to go to Tom Hanks who manages to hold our attention all on his own and even make the scenes where he pretends to talk to a volleyball not feel silly. Plus there's his dramatic weight loss he did to further add to the realism and his Oscar nom was well deserved.

If there's some scenes that bring the film down slightly are the non-island scenes where he's about to leave and when he returns home. It's necessary to show his life and daily activities before he gets stranded but you still feel slight cutting down was in order. The post-island scenes are also polarizing since they do feel different and almost alien-feeling to the island but with the film at a relatively healthy 2 h 15 minutes sans credit, it feels like it does take awhile before we get to the ending though I like how it leaves on a slightly ambiguous note.

With a terrifying plane crash sequence, a compelling middle section though slightly inferior bookends, the film is good though because the film is better that doesn't make it amazing but considering what it could've been, I'm glad it's this way.

What we have here is over 2 hours of film, the bulk of which involves a single actor at a single location with very little in the way of dialog. Heck, one of the most important characters in the film is a volleyball. This is also a great demonstration as to how a good creative team can take something like that and make it work so amazingly well.

I'm not sure this could have worked with any actor other than Tom Hanks. Many actors would love to boast that they alone could carry a film, but here Tom Hanks actually does just that by effectively playing the sole character in the film for roughly 3/4ths the films total length.

The sense of realism represented in the film in pretty much every respect is amazing. I've never been in a plane crash, but I imagine the depiction we see here has more basis in reality than the flashy effects sequences usually see in film. I also loved that they didn't try to make the island out to be some tropical paradise with postcard shots and filtering. It's obviously a nice location, but they appropriately didn't emphasize that as that would negatively effect the films atmosphere. The trials he faces are a tad basic, but yet the two hours flies by before you know it due to a great script and an amazing performance from Hanks. The score is also minimalistic, likely because filling the scenes with music might effect the sense of isolation you are supposed to have. All in all I loved the art direction they took with the film.

The metal case this version of the film arrives in is great. The insert is nothing amazing but they did well with the special features. Sure, they're nothing that will leave you in awe, but it's enough to give you some insight on the films production and regarding the subject matter itself. I was a huge skeptic when I first heard about this one, but through an amazing creative team and a great performance by Hanks I can hardly imagine them pulling it off any better.

I was suprised that I enjoyed this film as much as I did. I would recommend it for any Tom Hanks Fan. He did a great job in this film. I'll watch it again.

... he might have been able to save this movie. BUT he is not and could not.

It is his worst movie ever! (And what a waste of the other actor's talents, especially Helen Hunt!)

I purchased this on Blu-ray rather quickly after its release; especially because of the quite positive review written on highdefdigest.com. When I put the movie in to watch, I was quite surprised that I disagreed often with that review. They gave the picture five out of five stars. I would give it maybe 3 1/2 out of five.

Cast Away is a great film, and it's hard not to like Hanks' performance. His entertaining interaction with his environment despite its desolation of other humans is reason enough to watch the film, and he truly pulls us in to feeling the same as he does: lonely and nearly hopeless. Most of the film involves Hanks and no one else, but the lack of socialization does not mean lack of engrossing material. A+ for story and acting.

Since most people are probably interested in this Blu-ray edition for picture and audio reasons, I will give my honest feelings. I think that the picture is quite inconsistent, with plenty grain, blurred backgrounds, and sometimes dull colors. This surprised me because of the film's location. We would expect everything on a tropical island to blow us away on film (Into the Blue is a great example of high definition oceanic beauty), but plenty of times it fails to wow. As for inconsistencies, the Cast Away can look stunning at times, only to immediately follow up with blur or grain. If you are interested in stunning photography, don't expect to see it often. For this reason, I'm quite disappointed (it should have been restored better).

There's no complaining on the audio. This film was nominated for an Oscar for sound, and the Blu-ray displays the audiophile prestige in its full glory. If you have surround sound and want to truly test its ability, get this film.

Overall, I am glad that I purchased this Blu-ray. The film is great, and for whatever reason, this is the first copy of the film I've owned. If you are in the same situation, and you like this film, get the Blu-ray.

This blu-ray version only has the movie, no extras.
What blu-ray manufacturers are thinking? The disc suppose to have 50 Gb of space. But they decided to only put the movie. Plus the quality is Ok, just a little bit better than the dvd version. What a waste of money.

I own movies in both HD DVD and Blu-Ray formats so I've seen very many HD movies and am well familiar with the formats capabilities.

Being one of my favorite movies, Cast Away's release in Hi-Def got me very excited. I'm a big fan of the movie and give the movie itself 5 stars but am only reviewing the quality of this release here. The opening sequence where the FedEx truck drives up and picks up the package for delivery to Russia looks only slightly better than the standard DVD. When the truck opens up and the Russia scene starts it looks a lot better, but still more like 720p quality. Through the rest of the movie the HD quality stays about the same, decent but not great. It's certainly a step up from DVD but there are a few scenes that seem to be no better than my 2 disc DVD edition. The best looking scenes are the closeup scenes where the HD quality becomes more apparent but it still doesn't look anywhere near as good as other HD titles I own. Some of the best looking HD titles I own are: The Matrix collection, 2001, The Fifth Element, Apollo 13, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Pirates of the Caribbean, and number of others.

While watching the movie and examining the quality I came to the thought that it might not be the transfer that's the issue but possibly it was the director of photography's filming. It looks like the DP tried hard to keep a balance of focus between the actor and the background thereby not getting a truly sharp focus. I could be wrong but this is what it looked like. The 5.1 surround sound was fantastic. I didn't notice any difference between my DVD and Blu-ray versions, though I do admit I really didn't examine the audio.

Overall the movie was nice but I was let down as I was expecting better, especially from a movie with such a great environment. If you own the 2 disc DVD keep in mind the 2 disc set has all those extras and this hi-def release does not. So you may want to hold onto your set. Don't go getting Cast Away expecting the same HD quality you see in all those top notch movies that people use to showcase the format. It still looks great and certainly better than DVD just not leaps and bounds better for most of the scenes. Again, I can't say for sure but it may simply have been the way it was filmed.

Viewed on:
Sony PS3 (latest update)
Samsung LN-T5265F 52" LCD 1080P (calibrated)
Toshiba 5.1 surround sound system

I really love this movie. The director was a genious considering at one point you want to cry for the volleyball!

Tom gives such a tremendo... what the hell am I saying... this movie is perfect for those nights where you just want to close your eyes and drift off to sleep to the sound of the ocean. Tom's infrequent, frantic outbursts only stir imagery of a better world where people like Tom are tortured and left to die on a island filled with no scripts. Oh how I long for just 4 more years of no Hanks films.... aye but it tis the way of the beast. But seriously - hanks can go to hell, other than that one of my favorite movies.

Cast Away with Tom Hanks is the story of survival after a plane crash and the evential survival skills facing our hero in this movie. It puts the TV reality series "Survivor" to shame. Excellent film with its story line and the eventual rescue in the end. Not to be missed by the Tom's many fans! I enjoyed it!!

Many have written great reviews of this awesome movie. I just watched it twice again the last couple of days and have found things I missed in earlier viewings. This film definitely makes my list of films that I can watch again and again.

Its fairly easy to perfunctorily view this film as a simple plot line: that is, man crashes in airplane, survives on island, loses lots of weight, grows beard, builds raft, gets back home, but, alas, not the ending he thought it could be. To view and absorb this movie on this superficial level is a waste of the art and symbolism that it contains.


That's where the spiritual aspect of this film comes in that so many viewers have missed. There is a great deal of spiritual symbolism on a deeper level.

One reviewer thought is was weird that Tom Hanks made an imaginary friend in a Wilson Volleyball. This is not strange at all. I surmise that viewers that think along these lines have never spent great stretches of time alone without human contact. To them I say, go camping alone for a month somewhere where you will not see people and you might begin to understand how "Wilson" helped keep Hanks alive.




SYMBOLISM

OK OK what is this symbolism I am speaking of??? The very last scene of the movie breaks us over the head with symbolism. Hanks is standing in the flattest of the flat parts of Texas at a crossroads. Literally, he does not know what road to take. Figuratively, metaphorically, his entire life is at a crossroads. Chuck Logan has learned something new though. He has been transformed by his experience and has learned how to listen to some voice deep inside instead of rushing around like a Fed Ex mad man. He waits, contemplates until he feels his guide, the inner man, help him on his way. This IN ESSENCE, is what this film is all about.

THE WHALE:

Whats with the whale and the spraying of the water. Some people have missed that the spraying of the water is actually THE WHALE that has followed along with Hanks on the raft and has sprayed him, that is, woken him up out of his coma, at very key moments. Some may think: WOW, that is really far fetched. Well then, I challenge you to go on a whale watch yourself if you have never done so. When a whale comes as close to you as was accurately portrayed in this movie, raises its head out of the water, and its eye looks in yours and your eyes look into its eye, you can only come to one conclusion: you are looking into the eye of an intelligent and sentient being that is quite capable of staying with Hanks. Sailors have reported these experiences with whales time and again.

No one has written about the GOLD WINGS symbol that Chuck Logan says saved his life. Yes, that symbol saved his life but also Wilson saved his life, Kelly saved his life, the watch saved his life, and Chuck Logan saved his life by recognizing his powerlessness and transforming his life.

Cast away is weird. Weird when Tom Hanks befriends a volleyball, weird when he yells at the volleyball, weird when he constantly gets splashed by water on his makeshift raft ( as though a stagehand was simply throwing water off camera.) Mostly, weird when you realize that the movie manages to make a strong statement amongst the hours of survival "what not to-do's". that is, that life in unpredictable.

Tom Hanks' character has all the priorities down. His job, time, working, and lastly his girlfriend/hope for fiance (Helen Hunt). When his Fed Ex plan goes down in the Pacific Tom's character has to find a way to live, for a long time on an island by himself with no supplies. This technical part of the movie is very interesting. Loneliness, desperation, fear, and pain make up the 4+ years he's stranded on the island.

After fashioning a raft to escape on he's found adrift by a large shipping vessel. After getting home you see where his lesson lies ( although for some it may take too long to get there) that life is unpredictable, time waits for no man, and finally what really matters keeping your priorities straight.

He realizes to take the work trip instead of staying home started the hole series of events. He realizes that if he had stayed home and never took the business trip he would be probably married to the girl of his dreams. Life is like that, you cant plan it. After seeing his ex fiance married with kids he realizes he just has to go on surviving, as a well written monologue at the end points out.

I like that at the end, he is able to deliver one of the Fed Ex boxes he found after the crash. It belongs to a lady that started out the movie sending art to her husband overseas, whose cheating on her. By the end of the film you see the husband is out of the picture, she divorced him. She see's Tom at a crossroads and, after giving directions Tom realizes shes the lady who owns the ranch/art atudio and the last shot is of him looking at all the roads to take, metaphorically choosing his path, and he ends up looking down the road the lady just left on. Hinting that theres a reason for everything.

Thats where the message lies. Accept your decisions, becuase as you look back if even one thing is differe nt you wouldnt be where you are. Tom's character has to go through a lot but the ending really does hint at the fact that with the artist lady, is where he was always meant to be. Pretty cool.

What an incredible movie that deserves nothing less than five stars. It's a deeply moving and affecting experience. It's very realistic and true-to-life. Hanks is flawless as are his supporting cast. A number of themes come through here including the importance of not taking things for granted. Why do we all feel as though we have to live and die by the clock? Everything we have can be taken away from us at any moment. I enjoyed this movie, strangely enough, considerably more the second time I watched it about three years after its release. It is sooo enjoyable and you are riveted from the instant the plane is in trouble. Zemeckis is a genius and he and Hanks are greatest team in Hollywood ie) Forrest Gump??
I believe it's impossible for someone to say they did not enjoy this movie and if it didn't create emotion within yourself then there is something wrong with you This movie IS that good, even though it may be difficult to watch at times. Great, epic movie.

I had not watched this movie since it was released to DVD some years ago,so I decided to watch it again in my home theater. I must say I did not remember this film being this good! It is truely an amazing film that has the viewer running through a gambit of emotions. This movie runs close to 2 1/2 hours, but it moves along quicky. The DVD transfer and extras for the 2 disc set are excellent and worth owning.

This Reviewer found the movie to be One of the saddest movies he has ever watched. Tom Hanks one of the greats has Done his fair share saving private ryan, forest gump,... This one Has to be his best one yet. If you are a big fan of drama,and survival movies then I highly recommend it.
If you don't want girlfriend to see you crying at the ending don't watch it.

If you're a fan of Tom Hanks, than this movie is a must-see! A story of a man who loses everything important to him in his life, because on one fateful plane trip he is left stranded on a remote desert island...for FOUR YEARS!

Much of the movie early on provides foreshadowing for events to arise later. There is the love story intertwined within Hanks struggle to survive (albeit they are a married couple). However, like the rest of the film, even that doesn't turn out the way you'd expect!

My only gripe about the film is, I wish they would have shown a bit more of Hanks' on the island. He was there for FOUR years and the way it was filmed, it jumps from the beginning of his new life, to shortly before he is finally saved. I would have liked to have seen a bit more of the time in between. I can understand however because it was a lengthy movie as is and that would have only made it longer.

Check this out if you can. After seeing this movie, it'll definetly make you appreciate things a bit more and maybe help you not take so much of your life for granted.

6 years after the masterpiece that was Forrest Gump, Robert Zemeckis and Tom Hanks reunite to bring another masterpiece to the big screen.

Hanks plays Chuck Noland, a FedEx deliverer who after a plane crash, fines himself both lost and alone on a tropical island. With either no or very little hope of getting home, Chunk must learn how to survive on his own, including doing his own dental work yuck and somewhat having someone to talk to in the form of Wilson, a vollyball.

The film is 143 minutes long and about 80 minutes of it are just spent with Hanks on the island. Helen Hunt was good as Hanks's girlfriend it's just too bad she wasn't on screen long enough but she gave a good performance none the less. But this film belongs to Hanks, who earned his fifth Oscar nomination with his very superb performance and I can't wait for what Hanks and Zemeckis come up with next.

Tom Hanks has to carry this film pretty much on his own and he does an admirable job. A FedEx employee used to an insanely, fast-paced life, he has to adjust to the danger and abject isolation of life alone on a desert island when his plane goes down in bad weather (an excellent sequence). Meanwhile his family have given him up for dead and moved on with their lives.

"Cast Away" turns many of the romantic notions - of being stranded on a desert island and then being rescued and reunited with his family - on their head.

It is ultimately a sad film that offers no easy resolution.

The film-makers should be commended for making such an off-beat and thoughtful film.