Treasure Island (1950)

I loved it!

There is just something about the classic old adventure movies which can't be found today. The colors, the stages and the costumes. It just brings out nostalgia. And the music scores sets the mood perfectly!

Saw it first time as a child. My father used to read the book for me. (I was a big fan of pirates).

The story by Stevenson is of course pretty great, and the movie remains true to it.

I'm not to familiar with the cast (It is the oldest movie on my shelf) but Bobby Driscoll provides a good take on young Jim Hawkins. And I really had a personal favorite in the character of Israel Hands played by Geoffrey Keen. He is perhaps best known for playing the British minister of Defence in many of the James Bond movies.

Furthermore I really liked the fact that Capt. Flint only remains mentioned through out the movie by name and actions. It makes his character a lot more terrifying and compelling.(For me it is without comparison the all time most intimidating character who is never shown on the screen. An introduction or flash back scene with an actor playing Flint would completely have destroyed this.)

But what really sells this picture and earned it a place among my all time favorites; is Robert Newton.

The way he brings the character of Long John Silver to live is breathtaking. You simply can get enough of him! His portrayal of the cunning and ruthless pirate is the definitive best there is! He completely brings the whole setting of the movie up to the next level and aboard a pirate ship and sets sail. Outstanding performance! Not only among pirate portrayals but in general. It burns through the screen.

He sets the standard on how to portray (and speak like) a great pirate persona. And so becomes his take on Long John the greatest pirate captain to sail the Seven Seas in movies. (Sorry Depp)

And his performance is the reason why it still stands as the, by far, best adaption of the story to the big screen. And perhaps the reason why no really major blockbuster remake have been tried. (My personal favorite to try on the role would be Daniel Day-Lewis. But I can't imagine any actor do better than Newton.)

The character of Long John also brought some of my favorite quotes. (Of cause spoken in true pirate tongue)

''Them that die will be the lucky ones!'' shouted at the start of the battle between the mutineers and the men loyal to the squire. And ''Oh, for ten toes!'' shouted when his fellows mutineers flees the battle leaving him behind. I will still rewind more than once to hear those.

I really enjoy watching this movie. And I do so once or twice a year.

It's a great swashbuckling pirate adventure that shouldn't be feared because of its old age.

And it turned out to be an honorable first jump into live action by Disney.

(A sequel was made. Rather poor. But nonetheless enjoyable due to Newton's performance in his return to the role as Long John)

Fmovies: if you have ever read the book by Robert Louis Stevenson, you will truly enjoy this movie. Robert Newton is the perfect Long John Silver. I cannot imagine another actor living up to the role the way he did. Sure, the acting may not be the best, and the screen effects may be bad, but you have to remember when it was made. It is a very good movie for its time, and quite an enjoyable one in mine. If you enjoy seafaring movies- See this one. If you like pirate flicks- this one will have you arrgging all night long.

When I think of Long John silver, I think of one quote, "Fortune sits on the shoulder of him what schemes."

When people think of the great British actor, Robert Newton, they think of him as Long John Silver. He put his own personal stamp on this role and made a living off variations of this role until the end of his life.

What most people don't realize is that his brutal portrayal of Bill Sykes is really his most polished and psychologically penetrating performance on screen.

When Newton signed on for the role of Long John he had pretty much given up on acting. Read David Niven's moving profile of Robert Newton in his book, Bring On The Empty Horses.

That said, Newton is splendid in Treasure Island. He uses his stature and intimidating personality to good advantage. He also shows the world how much he loved children. As Niven remarked about Robert Newton, "He was the kindest of men..."

Treasure Island fmovies. Excellent film adaptation of the famous novel made in England at Denham Film Studios and using much of the Denham lake and the river Colne in the location sequences. Wonderful 50s technicolour and matte shots from Peter Ellenshaw to enhance the scenery. Robert Newton in great form as Long John Silver and Bobby Driscoll equally good as Jim Hawkins - not to mention the fine British cast of top rate character actors The latest Disney video is supposed to show the original full version BUT this is not the case - for one thing the death of Pugh under the coach wheels is left out as well as the other sequences cut for the '70s re-issue of the film. This is a great shame. I am not sure whether or not the DVD recent release is also produced minus these scenes

Sure, it had its shortcomings, and it wasn't as dark as it could have been, but this is certainly the best version of a book that has been retold time after time. As a child, this was one of my favorite books, and I always felt this was one of the best, if not the best adaptation of the book. Maybe someday someone will make a better version, but until then, my vote goes to this one.

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.