GamerTab That was an excellent one.

Micitype Pretty Good

Intcatinfo A Masterpiece!

Zlatica One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

classicsoncall Filmed in England, this was the very first live action movie made by Walt Disney after a long string of animated features. Up till now I've never seen any of the films based on Robert Louis Stevenson's novel, so I'll have to go with the majority on this board stating that this is probably the finest effort. Robert Newton of course makes for a quintessential pirate, though I could see Charles Laughton in the role quite favorably. His take on Captain Kidd in the 1945 movie of the same name was classic.I don't think I've ever read the Stevenson book, or if I had, it's been so long in the past I can't even remember. Other viewers feel that this film version follows pretty closely, so that will probably save me the effort. With Newton's character, I was waiting for him to show his true colors, and it was quite a while into the film before he managed to take out Mr. Arrow (David Davies) with the plum duff and the old heave-ho overboard. If you didn't know Long John Silver was a pirate, that sequence would probably come off as a complete surprise.What I didn't get though was the ending of the story, in as much as Long John basically got away with the gold treasure, and the two principals, young Jim Hawkins (Bobby Driscoll) and Dr. Livesy (Denis O'Dea) didn't seem to mind that much. I realize Silver had a soft spot for the adventurous lad, but it was really touch and go there for Hawkins the entire time with no assurance of safety. Maybe I'll have to read the book after all.

Hitchcoc People today have so much access to film. I believe we have become a bit jaded as our opinions become harsh and unpleasant. I got to see this movie when I was in elementary school. We all wanted to be Jim Hawkins, going away on an ocean voyage to an island with a buried treasure and a dangerous history. And then there is Blind Pew and Long John Silver (the prototype created by Robert Newton) and the black spot. Jim is a boy, but he must be a man in order to waylay the actions of the villains. I had never seen the Wallace Beery presentation, but this one stands well above that one. Walt Disney had the clout and the creativity and the foresight to bring these wonderful adventures to the screen.

Thomas Daniel Hansen 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)

Neil Doyle TREASURE ISLAND is a good example of Disney's way with live action when he began departing from his schedule of full-length animated features. His money at the time was tied up in the European market and he decided to make this version of the film in England with a splendid cast of actors and handsome use of Technicolor.ROBERT NEWTON easily walks off with most of his scenes as Long John Silver, the man with the pegged leg and the parrot on his shoulder. Newton uses a malicious gleam in his eye to convey the cunning nature of his character but is usually a bit too theatrical to be completely convincing. Nevertheless, he's the focal point as far as the acting is concerned.BOBBY DRISCOLL is very competent and well cast as Jim Hawkins and must have enjoyed the experience of working in a story like this with pirates and a stolen treasure map as major themes. He's fun to watch and inhabits the role with professional ease. No wonder Disney used him as the live action model for his PETER PAN, released a few years later.Making a deep impression too is FINLAY CURRIE as Billy Bones, the man who gets his comeuppance early in the story. He gives vigor and flavor to his role, so much so that it's too bad his role couldn't have been expanded.Summing up: Colorfully done with lots of realistic flavor among the sets and costumes, all photographed in lush Technicolor and given a sentimental but satisfying ending.