Robert Louis Stevenson's exciting classic is brought back to life, more or less, as a Walt Disney Production. With those limitations in mind, this "Treasure Island" is, still, quite entertaining. While it's much more light and cheery than the original work, it's also filled with more bloody violence than you'd expect from the Disney studio at that time - if you're seeing the (recommended) uncut version.
Bobby Driscoll is an engaging Jim Hawkins; his gun-wielding offing of pirate Geoffrey Keen (as Israel Hands) is an exciting highlight. Some of the pirates are more annoying than terrifying; and, only a Disney pirate could have such perfectly shiny white teeth; but, they do grown on you. Robert Newton's snarling "Long John Silver" is an especially memorable portrayal. Mr. Newton's shivering "Arrggggg!" portrayal is classic; it has, deservedly, outlived the film.
******* Treasure Island (6/22/50) Byron Haskin ~ Bobby Driscoll, Robert Newton, Basil Sydney, Geoffrey Keen
Bobby Driscoll is an engaging Jim Hawkins; his gun-wielding offing of pirate Geoffrey Keen (as Israel Hands) is an exciting highlight. Some of the pirates are more annoying than terrifying; and, only a Disney pirate could have such perfectly shiny white teeth; but, they do grown on you. Robert Newton's snarling "Long John Silver" is an especially memorable portrayal. Mr. Newton's shivering "Arrggggg!" portrayal is classic; it has, deservedly, outlived the film.
******* Treasure Island (6/22/50) Byron Haskin ~ Bobby Driscoll, Robert Newton, Basil Sydney, Geoffrey Keen