Treasure Island Movie: A Classic Adventure on the High Seas
Introduction
If you are looking for a thrilling and timeless story of pirates, treasure, and adventure, you can't go wrong with Treasure Island. This novel by Robert Louis Stevenson has captivated generations of readers and inspired countless adaptations on stage, screen, and radio. In this article, we will explore the origins and legacy of this masterpiece, as well as some of the best movie versions that you can watch and enjoy.
What is Treasure Island?
Treasure Island is a novel written by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson in 1881-1882. It was first published as a serial in a children's magazine called Young Folks, under the pseudonym of Captain George North. It was later published as a book in 1883, with illustrations by Stevenson's father. The novel tells the story of Jim Hawkins, a young boy who finds a treasure map in the chest of an old sailor named Billy Bones. He joins a voyage to a mysterious island, where he encounters the charismatic and cunning pirate Long John Silver and his mutinous crew. Along the way, he faces danger, betrayal, and friendship, as he tries to claim the treasure of the legendary Captain Flint.
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Why is Treasure Island a classic?
Treasure Island is widely regarded as one of the greatest adventure stories ever written. It has influenced many other works of fiction, such as Peter Pan, The Lord of the Rings, and Pirates of the Caribbean. It has also shaped the popular image of pirates, with elements such as the black spot, the parrot, the wooden leg, and the phrase "yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum". It is a novel that appeals to both children and adults, with its exciting plot, vivid characters, and rich language. It is also a novel that explores themes such as courage, loyalty, greed, morality, and identity.
The Treasure Island Book
The plot of Treasure Island
The plot of Treasure Island can be summarized as follows:
Jim Hawkins lives with his mother at the Admiral Benbow inn in England. One day, they receive a guest named Billy Bones, who claims to be a former pirate.
Billy Bones is visited by two other pirates, Black Dog and Blind Pew, who give him a black spot, a sign of death among pirates. Billy Bones dies of a stroke, leaving behind a chest that contains a treasure map.
Jim shows the map to Squire Trelawney and Dr. Livesey, who decide to organize an expedition to find the treasure. They hire Captain Smollett and his ship, the Hispaniola. They also hire Long John Silver as the cook, who secretly recruits some of Flint's old crew.
The Hispaniola sets sail for Treasure Island. Jim overhears Silver's plan to mutiny and informs Smollett. They decide to play along until they reach the island.
On the island, Jim meets Ben Gunn, a marooned sailor who knows where Flint's treasure is hidden. He also witnesses Silver killing one of his men who refuses to join the mutiny.
The mutineers attack Smollett and his loyal men at their stockade. Jim sneaks out and cuts the Hispaniola's anchor rope, hoping to prevent Silver from escaping.
Jim returns to the stockade and offers to negotiate with Silver. Silver agrees to spare Jim's life in exchange for the map. Jim gives him a fake map that Ben Gunn made.
Jim rejoins Smollett and his men, who have been wounded by the mutineers. They follow Ben Gunn to his cave, where they find the real treasure.
They load the treasure on the Hispaniola and sail away, leaving Silver and three of his men behind on the island.
The characters of Treasure Island
Some of the main characters of Treasure Island are:
Name
Description
Jim Hawkins
The protagonist and narrator of the story. He is a brave, curious, and loyal boy who goes on an adventure to find the treasure.
Long John Silver
The antagonist of the story. He is a one-legged pirate who pretends to be a cook. He is charismatic, cunning, and ruthless, but also has a soft spot for Jim.
Captain Flint
The legendary pirate who buried the treasure on the island. He is dead by the time of the story, but his presence and influence are felt throughout.
Billy Bones
The old sailor who stays at the Admiral Benbow inn. He is a former member of Flint's crew who has the treasure map.
Squire Trelawney
The wealthy and enthusiastic gentleman who finances the expedition to find the treasure. He is naive and impulsive, but also generous and brave.
Dr. Livesey
The local doctor and friend of Jim and Trelawney. He is intelligent, calm, and sensible. He acts as a leader and a mediator among the crew.
Captain Smollett
The captain of the Hispaniola. He is a professional and strict sailor who does not trust Silver and his men. He is loyal to his duty and his employer.
Ben Gunn
The marooned sailor who lives on the island. He was part of Flint's crew, but was left behind when they buried the treasure. He is eccentric, religious, and obsessed with cheese.
The themes of Treasure Island
Some of the themes that Treasure Island explores are:
Adventure and exploration: The novel celebrates the spirit of adventure and exploration, as Jim and his companions embark on a quest for treasure and face various challenges and dangers along the way.
Greed and corruption: The novel warns against the dangers of greed and corruption, as many of the characters are motivated by their desire for wealth and power, which leads them to betray, murder, and lie.
Morality and loyalty: The novel contrasts the morality and loyalty of Jim and his friends with the immorality and disloyalty of Silver and his men. It also shows how Jim's moral compass is tested by his interactions with Silver, who tries to manipulate him.
Identity and growth: The novel shows how Jim's identity and growth are shaped by his adventure. He goes from being an innocent boy to being a mature young man who has learned valuable lessons about life, courage, friendship, and himself.
The Treasure Island Movie Adaptations
Treasure Island has been adapted into many movies over the years, each with its own style, interpretation, and cast. Here are some of the most notable ones:
The 1934 version starring Wallace Beery and Jackie Cooper
This was the first sound film adaptation of Treasure Island, produced by MGM. It starred Wallace Beery as Long John Silver and Jackie Cooper as Jim Hawkins. It was praised for its faithful adaptation of the novel, its lavish production values, its thrilling action scenes, and its performances by Beery and Cooper. It was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture.
The 1950 version starring Robert Newton and Bobby Driscoll
This was the first color film adaptation of Treasure Island, produced by Disney. It starred Robert Newton as Long John Silver and Bobby Driscoll as Jim Hawkins. It was acclaimed for its spectacular cinematography, its adventurous tone, its musical score by Clifton Parker, and its portrayal of Silver by Newton, who created the iconic image of the pirate with his accent, mannerisms, and catchphrases. It was also the first Disney live-action film.
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The 1972 version starring Orson Welles and Kim Burfield
This was a British-French-Spanish co-production of Treasure Island, directed by John Hough. It starred Orson Welles as Long John Silver and Kim Burfield as Jim Hawkins. It was criticized for its low budget, its poor dubbing, its slow pace, and its deviation from the novel. However, it was also praised for its scenery, its atmosphere, its score by Georges Garvarentz, and its performance by Welles, who added his own flair to the role of Silver.
Other notable adaptations
There are many other movie adaptations of Treasure Island, some of which are more faithful to the novel than others. Some of them are:
The 1938 version starring Lionel Barrymore and Jackie Moran, which was a sequel to the 1934 version.
The 1971 version starring Anthony Quinn and David Hartman, which was a musical comedy with songs by the Sherman Brothers.
The 1986 version starring Charlton Heston and Christian Bale, which was a TV movie directed by Heston's son Fraser.
The 1990 version starring Charlton Heston and Christian Bale, which was a theatrical release of the 1986 version with some changes.
The 1996 version starring Kevin Zegers and Patrick Bergin, which was a Canadian TV movie with a modern twist.
The 1999 version starring Jack Palance and Kevin Zegers, which was a sequel to the 1996 version.
The 2002 version starring Eddie Izzard and Elijah Wood, which was a TV movie with a sci-fi twist.
The 2012 version starring Eddie Izzard and Toby Regbo, which was a TV miniseries with a darker tone.
Conclusion
Summary of the main points
In conclusion, Treasure Island is a classic adventure novel by Robert Louis Stevenson that has inspired many movie adaptations over the years. It tells the story of Jim Hawkins, a young boy who goes on a quest for treasure with Long John Silver, a pirate who plans to mutiny. It is a novel that explores themes such as adventure, greed, morality, and identity. It is also a novel that has influenced the popular culture of pirates and treasure hunting.
Recommendations for watching Treasure Island movies
If you want to watch some Treasure Island movies, here are some recommendations based on your preferences:
If you want to watch the most faithful adaptation of the novel, you should watch the 1950 version by Disney.
If you want to watch the most iconic portrayal of Long John Silver, you should watch the 1950 version by Disney or the 1972 version by Orson Welles.
If you want to watch a musical comedy adaptation of the novel, you should watch the 1971 version by Anthony Quinn and David Hartman.
If you want to watch a sci-fi adaptation of the novel, you should watch the 2002 version by Eddie Izzard and Elijah Wood.
If you want to watch a darker adaptation of the novel, you should watch the 2012 version by Eddie Izzard and Toby Regbo.
Of course, you can also watch any other adaptation that interests you. The important thing is to enjoy the adventure and have fun!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Treasure Island:
Who wrote Treasure Island?
Treasure Island was written by Robert Louis Stevenson, a Scottish author who also wrote Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Kidnapped, and A Child's Garden of Verses.
When was Treasure Island published?
Treasure Island was first published as a serial in Young Folks, a children's magazine, from October 1881 to January 1882. It was later published as a book in November 1883.
Where is Treasure Island located?
Treasure Island is an imaginary island in the Caribbean Sea. Stevenson never gave an exact location for it, but he based it on real islands such as Norman Island in the British Virgin Islands and Dead Chest Island in the Bahamas.
Who is Long John Silver?
Long John Silver is the main antagonist of Treasure Island. He is a one-legged pirate who pretends to be a cook on the Hispaniola. He is the leader of the mutineers who want to take the treasure from Jim and his friends. He is also a complex and charismatic character who has a friendly relationship with Jim.
What is the black spot?
The black spot is a sign of death among pirates. It is a piece of paper with a black circle on it, usually cut from a Bible. It is given to a pirate who has been accused of a crime or a betrayal by his fellow pirates. It means that he has been marked for death and has to face a trial or a fight.
What is the treasure of Captain Flint?
The treasure of Captain Flint is the main goal of the characters in Treasure Island. It is a large amount of gold, silver, jewels, and other valuables that Captain Flint, a notorious pirate, buried on Treasure Island before he died. It is estimated to be worth about 700,000 pounds in 18th century money.
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