In the mid 1800s, a family of six from Switzerland is shipwrecked and stranded on a desert island. The family consists of a father, a mother, and four sons of 14, 12, 10, and 6 years of age.
With the help of provisions from the ship, including livestock and ammunition, as well as their resourcefulness, they set up a camp to live in, secure food sources, and learn their way around the island. They also have a handful of books, including a Bible, brought from the ship.
Five years after the shipwreck, a ship from England arrives and offers to return them to Europe.