Treasure Island 1968 Buena Vista Home Entertainment   Buy It Now

People love pirates.  And more than that, people love Treasure Island.  And what is not to love?  In fact, this amazing adventure story by Robert Louis Stephenson (Stevenson) has captured the hearts and minds of filmmakers in every single decade since Stephenson's death in 1894.  What better subject material for Walt Disney to choose for his first foray into live action film?  The year was 1950, and this would be the tenth rendition of Treasure Island to be put on celluloid since 1908; some as feature lengths, some as shorts and still others as Disney's well-known medium, animation.  But this version was different, and it would wind up putting Disney on the map as a formidable studio in live action film. 

In many ways, in fact, it increased the popularity and acceptance of Walt Disney's ideals and morals; which were always present, but not immediately accessible in animated features.  Always having the ability to add a wholesome touch and sense of value to any tale they tell, I think Disney's version would have made Stephenson proud, seeing as how he was a man who kept moral virtue in mind (even though the written Treasure Island had questionable messages to be sure) and is known for the quote, "If your morals make you dreary, depend on it , they are wrong".

But there is nothing dreary about Treasure Island, although from Stephenson's condition at the time of it's writing, there easily could have been.  Never a man of great health, Stephenson was especially frail and sickly during the year of 1883.  Bedridden and prone to attacks of what he called "Bluidy Jack" (bleeding in his lungs), he penned a fantastic tale of adolescence, the passage into manhood, the value of friendship, and the powers of greed and love.  This story was Treasure Island, and will forever be known as Stephenson's first real success.

Having first appeared in pieces in a recurring periodical called "Young Folks", the story was then joined, reworked and released as a full length tale.  Stephenson traveled widely, "traveling for travel's sake" as he would say.  Drawing on his knowledge of the South Seas from living in Samoa, the story told in Treasure Island was just fantastic enough to be madly entertaining, and just real enough to be entirely believable.  In fact, he was known as Tusitala to the natives of the island, which meant "teller of tales" in respect for his amazing ability to capture attention and captivate readers.  And captivate he did, knowing no age restrictions or generational gap, as he spun tales of high-adventure for both young and old.

In Treasure Island, Jim Hawkins (Bobby Driscoll - the voice of Peter Pan in Disney's 1953 animated feature) has not known much of a life similar to Stephenson's.  There has been no travel or adventures for this young boy; instead he stays alongside his mother, helping work in the inn she runs on the West Coast of England.  But a bit of excitement does enter Jim's life in the form of William Bones, an aged captain with a secret; a secret that some would kill for.  And when those that would come for old Billy Bones, he passes that secret to Jim on a treasure map that leads straight to pirate gold!  Sharing his map with the local Squire, Trelawney, and doctor, Livesey, the trio charter themselves a ship to go in search of the pirate horde.  But a ship needs men, and men are not hard to come by...however, honest men are.

Not being knowledgeable in the ways of the sea, let alone in the ways of pirates, Jim and his companions find themselves aboard a ship teeming with would be mutineers; all of whom are aware of the map and have a desire of attaining its riches for themselves.  These pirates are led by none other than Long John Silver himself (Robert Newton, who would go on to play the same role many more times as well as the pirate Blackbeard), a one-legged man with a personal tie to the maker of the treasure map; and who has a plan to make the treasure theirs.  But Long John's plans take an unexpected turn on him, when he finds himself involved with the young Jim on a more personal level than simply pirate and prisoner.  But neither one of them trust the other, and these suspicions lead to a lengthy game of deceit and betrayals between them.  But in the end, all that matters is who has the map, because without it there is no gold, and this is not an outcome either party is willing to except.

Filmed in England, and not on location in the West Indes, Treasure Island is adventure at its best.  Elements of mystery, intrigue, suspense, action, and of course, grand spectacle, all come together seamlessly in one tale.  Stocked to the brim with a pile of lovable characters, both good guys and bad, this is the stuff which bedtime stories are made of.  A young boy, whisked out of his everyday humdrum life and embarking on a fantastic journey which he himself has the means of getting out of alive.  For a younger audience, it is just the sort of tale that empowers and makes them feel the excitement of possibility.  Some day they may have a similar adventure!  And for an older audience, it is a chance to relive a childhood through the actions of young Jim.  In memories, even trite events can be remembered as an adventure, and Treasure Island offers a chance to rekindle some adventures of your own.

There has been many a film or written work that evokes these same feelings and emotions in its audience, but not often do they work with such conflict and provoke such inner debate as Treasure Island.  Is it right for young Jim and his traveling companions to seek out their personal fortune in gold that was stolen from others?  Never is any mention made of turning the loot in or the morality of taking a treasure that is under dubious ownership.  Is it right that Jim find such a father figure in the scoundrel, Long John Silver?  Not having a father of his own at home, is Jim drawn simply to the strong male role that Long John fulfills, or does Jim simply have a respect for an adventuresome rogue who lives a life of excitement?  And hey, how many movies set up a character as villain and then let him escape cleanly at the end?  Treasure Island is not one to draw conclusions though and lets you figure out for yourself the goings on; however, all of these scenarios are entirely believable and may accurately reflect the gray area nature of real life.

But don't think too hard!  This here is meant to be fun!  So get on board and relive one of the most fantastic tales of all time.  Speaking of which, one would expect such a respected tale, and especially the premier film adaptation of that tale, to include some extras on its DVD.  But apparently these extras must be more elusive than pirate gold, because there are none to be found...that's right, not a single one.  This is perhaps the only real disappointment involved in this DVD, but it is a big one.  Even without any extras, Treasure Island is a must have, so set sail for adventure and your local video store, and plunder yourself a copy!

-aaron-