Treasure Island (1950) Reviews

• Aaargh, matey! Them that dies will be the lucky ones!

  Walling_M_I2005-01-19

  I'm not sure if this is the cinematic version which best captures the ethos of Robert Louis Stevenson's book, but it is the version which provides the best movie experience for the viewer, and probably the film that most people think of whenever some one mentions Treasure Island. Wallace Beery is always worth watching, and his black and white version has many strong points, but he never quite convinces me that he is the black hearted devil who is second only to Captain Flint himself in his cruelty. The Charlton Heston version has the advantage of a wonderful Chieftains soundtrack, and some richer production values than were possible in 1954, but somehow Heston never comes across as the kind of man who could weld a band of misfits, convicts, perverts, murderers and general misanthropes into a functioning pirate crew. Robert Newton, however, is the definitive Long John Silver. I saw this flick fifty years ago, when it was first run in the theaters, and it left an indelible impression in my memory. (apparently it also impressed Richard Dreyfuss, who does an homage to Newton's Long John in 'Jaws'). The last time I viewed it was probably about ten years ago when my youngest child was still a pre-teen, and Newton's performance as the quintessential rogue who can slit your throat without a qualm while you are laughing at one of his jokes was just as impressive to me when I was 50 as when I was 10. The story is a little long in the tooth, but the key points, such as the delivery of the black spot by Blind Pew, and the recapture of the Hispaniola, are still tense and exciting, even to a generation weaned on Stargate and Spiderman. The apple barrel scene with young Jim trying to avoid being skewered by Silver's knife made my kids scream, and what more can you ask from a kid's movie than a good, safe scare? This is a must have movie for any serious video collection.

• Excellent Adaptation

  Greill2004-12-29

  Even though it does not stick 100% to the novel, it stays true to the spirit and idea of the book. A light-hearted and well done adaptation of a well-loved book. Casting is brilliantly done, particularly for the parts of Long John Silver and Squire Trelawney. Locations are amazingly picturesque and make the watcher feel like they are in the right world for a swashbuckling pirate adventure, thereby making it all the better for them. For Disney's first foray into the arena of live-action films, it is extremely well done and hopefully they will be able to recapture their former glory and go back to the days of Treasure Island, Mary Poppins, and other live-action masterpieces of their illustrious past.

• One of the best adaptation of the classic novel by Robert Louis Stevenson including a magnificent Robert Newton .

  ma-cortes2013-11-24

  Fabulous and appealing adventures starred by two unforgettable characters , Jim Hawkins/Bobby Driscoll and Long John Silver/Robert Newton . Gorgeous and astounding adventure film with an outstanding and fantastic starring , Jim Hawkins, and a nasty as well as likable pirate called Long Silver in search of the buried treasure of the buccaneer Captain Flint . Entertaining and solid retelling from Walt Disney filmed in imaginative style with the literary heroes Jack Hawkins and the pirate Long John Silver . Again we live the roaring adventure , this time set in a far island . We share the struggles , the heartaches , the laughter of courageous souls who leave their houses they love to dare the wrath of the angry space pirates . Jim Hawkins encounters a map that leads to a distant Caribbean island where is a buried treasure . Enchanted by the idea of locating treasure buried by Captain Flint , Captain Smollett (Basil Sydney) , Squire Trelawney (Walter Fitzgerald) , Dr. Livesy (Denis O'Dea) and Jim Hawkins (Bobby Driscoll , he only had a 3 month work permit in England so all his scenes were filmed first, a long way out of continuity) charter a sailing voyage in a ship called La Española to a Caribbean island . Upright men and greedy pirates in conflict with their destiny enacting the Robert Stevenson's most thrilling story in search of the legendary loot of Captain Nathaniel Flint . Then , the young boy join forces with his friends and , of course , a boisterous , rogue Long John Silver (Robert Newton)) journey to island of hidden bounty . The young cabin boy Hawkins has a treasure map and a boatload of kill-crazed pirates eager for the riches hidden on Treasure Island . Unfortunately, a large number of Flint's old pirate crew are aboard the ship, including Long John Silver . Jim Hawkins matches with stick-legged , a notably snarly Long Silver and adventures go on . But even greater risks lie ahead when Hawkins finds out that his trusted colleague Long John is actually a nasty pirate with mutiny on his mind . As young Jim Hawkins is torn between his loyalty to his benefactors and his affection for lovable rogue Long John Silver in their struggle to recover a buried pirate treasure . Fun story with plenty of adventure , intrigue , fights and action . The whole piece of adventure teems with emotion , thrills , humor , exotic atmosphere and being pretty amusing . Appropriately adventurous rendition of Robert Stevenson's often-filmed and spine-tingling tale . In the picture there is humor , rip-roaring adventures , swashbuckling and it's pretty funny . Top-notch acting by Robert Newton , his featured performance as Long John Silver is so iconic that it is thought by many to be the origin of today's stereotypical laced pirate patois . This was Disney's first live action movie ; Walt Disney started the project when postwar restrictions stopped him from transferring profits from his cartoons out of Great Britain , rather than set up a new animation studio, he used the profits and existing facilities to produce a conventional film . At the film appears usual personages from Stevenson's Treasure Island such as Billy Bones well played by Finlay Currie , George Merry splendidly acted by villain Ralph Truman , Nathaliel Flint , Capt. Billy Bones , Israel Hands , Ben Gunn , Blind Pew , Black Dog and Mr. Arrow . Colorful and glamorous cinematography by Freddie Young , filmed in England, not in the West Indies . Evocative as well as moving musical score by Clifton Parker . The motion picture was compellingly directed by Byron Haskin . Rating : Above average . Well worth watching , you'll be on the edge of your seat. Other renditions -being multitudinous remakes , as there are many films made of it- based on this classic novel are the followings : Vintage version (1934) by Victor Fleming with Jackie Cooper , Wallace Beery and Lewis Stone ; this Disney take on (1950) by Byron Haskin , being a respectable full-blooded second-best the classic Fleming version ; it was followed by a sequel titled ¨Long John Silver¨ also directed by Byron Haskin with Robert Newton , Lloyd Berrell , Grant Taylor , Rod Taylor ; in addition , ¨Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie on January 29, 1951 with Bobby Driscoll reprising his film role . Furthermore , European retelling (1974) by John Hough with Orson Welles , Angel Del Pozo , Lionel Stander and Kim Burfield ; ¨Treasure Island¨ (1999) by Marc Charlesbois with Jack Palance , Patrick Bergin and Kevin Zegers ; TV recounting by Fraser C Heston with Charlton Heston , Christian Bale and Richard Johnson . ¨Muppet's Treasure island¨ (1996) and recent rendition (2012) by Steve Barron , starred by Eddie Izzard , Rupert Penry-Jones , Daniel Mays , Donald Sutherland and Elijah Wood . Besides , "Treasure Island in Outer Space", TV miniseries (1987) set in space directed by Antonio Margheriti with Anthony Quinn as Long John Silver , David Warbeck as Doctor Livesy and Philippe Leroy as Squire . And Disney top-notch cartoon-Sci-Fi version Treasure planet (2002) splendidly directed by John Musker and Ron Clemens .

• If you liked "Pirates of the Caribbean", you owe it to yourself to see "Treasure Island"

  RBGatHome2004-05-01

  I saw this film as a child and enjoyed it, but when I watched it again tonight with my children, I absolutely loved it. My two oldest daughters are big fans of "Pirates of the Caribbean." They immediately recognized Robert Newton's brilliant performance as Long John Silver as the inspiration for Geoffrey Rush's equally delightful turn as Captain Barbossa fifty years later. Newton steals the show with his characterization of the famous pirate, yet does so without distracting one from the story. A half century has not robbed this film of any of its charm; it remains one of the great pirate films of all time. Grab a bowl of popcorn and fire up your DVD player. Treasure Island is the real thing!

• Haarrrrh!!!

  mermatt1998-08-02

  Robert Newton sets the standard for all pirate movies. His performance as Long John Silver is a grand spree in scenery chewing. He is a delight to watch.