Even when compared to the overly sentimental remake from the 1980s, this film has visibly aged poorly. The basic idea is easy to grasp: two young people, a girl and a boy, are stranded on a tropical island, and their bond deepens as they grow up. Driven by both practical needs and personal desires, "Emmeline" (Jean Simmons) and "Michael" (Donald Houston) develop into a couple. It's difficult to think of many actors who could have held their own against Simmons; she possessed an incredible versatility, bringing characters to life with seeming ease through her intense gaze and a quality reminiscent of silent film stars. In this role, she captures the essence of inquisitiveness and innocence, mixed with a touch of fragility, quite effectively. Houston, however, lacks any real charisma and seems stiff, likely even recognizing that he only won the girl because there was no one else available. The plot progresses along familiar lines, punctuated by enjoyable appearances from Noel Purcell ("Paddy"), James Hayter ("Murdoch") and Cyril Cusack ("Carter"). There’s also some gorgeous scenery of Fiji, and Frank Launder does a decent job of blending an atmosphere of paradise with a sense of peril. Ultimately, though, the story would have benefited from a more compelling male lead, and its appeal diminishes as time goes on.

Source on TMDB