User Reviews

Fabulous and appealing adventures starred by two unforgettable characters , Jim Hawkins/Bobby Driscoll and Long John Silver/Robert Newton . Gorgeous and astounding adventure film with an outstanding and fantastic starring , Jim Hawkins, and a nasty as well as likable pirate called Long Silver in search of the buried treasure of the buccaneer Captain Flint . Entertaining and solid retelling from Walt Disney filmed in imaginative style with the literary heroes Jack Hawkins and the pirate Long John Silver . Again we live the roaring adventure , this time set in a far island . We share the struggles , the heartaches , the laughter of courageous souls who leave their houses they love to dare the wrath of the angry space pirates . Jim Hawkins encounters a map that leads to a distant Caribbean island where is a buried treasure . Enchanted by the idea of locating treasure buried by Captain Flint , Captain Smollett (Basil Sydney) , Squire Trelawney (Walter Fitzgerald) , Dr. Livesy (Denis O'Dea) and Jim Hawkins (Bobby Driscoll , he only had a 3 month work permit in England so all his scenes were filmed first, a long way out of continuity) charter a sailing voyage in a ship called La Española to a Caribbean island . Upright men and greedy pirates in conflict with their destiny enacting the Robert Stevenson's most thrilling story in search of the legendary loot of Captain Nathaniel Flint . Then , the young boy join forces with his friends and , of course , a boisterous , rogue Long John Silver (Robert Newton)) journey to island of hidden bounty . The young cabin boy Hawkins has a treasure map and a boatload of kill-crazed pirates eager for the riches hidden on Treasure Island . Unfortunately, a large number of Flint's old pirate crew are aboard the ship, including Long John Silver . Jim Hawkins matches with stick-legged , a notably snarly Long Silver and adventures go on . But even greater risks lie ahead when Hawkins finds out that his trusted colleague Long John is actually a nasty pirate with mutiny on his mind . As young Jim Hawkins is torn between his loyalty to his benefactors and his affection for lovable rogue Long John Silver in their struggle to recover a buried pirate treasure .

Fun story with plenty of adventure , intrigue , fights and action . The whole piece of adventure teems with emotion , thrills , humor , exotic atmosphere and being pretty amusing . Appropriately adventurous rendition of Robert Stevenson's often-filmed and spine-tingling tale . In the picture there is humor , rip-roaring adventures , swashbuckling and it's pretty funny . Top-notch acting by Robert Newton , his featured performance as Long John Silver is so iconic that it is thought by many to be the origin of today's stereotypical laced pirate patois . This was Disney's first live action movie ; Walt Disney started the project when postwar restrictions stopped him from transferring profits from his cartoons out of Great Britain , rather than set up a new animation studio, he used the profits and existing facilities to produce a conventional film . At the film appears usual personages from Stevenson's Treasure Island such as Billy Bones well played by Finlay Currie , George Merry splendidly acted by villain Ralph Truman , Nathaliel Flint , Capt. Billy Bones , Israel Hands , Ben Gunn , Blind Pew , Black Dog and Mr. Arrow . Colorful and glamorous cinematography by Freddie Young , filmed in England, not in the West Indies . Evocative as well as moving musical score by Clifton Parker . The motion picture was compellingly directed by Byron Haskin . Rating : Above average . Well worth watching , you'll be on the edge of your seat.

Other renditions -being multitudinous remakes , as there are many films made of it- based on this classic novel are the followings : Vintage version (1934) by Victor Fleming with Jackie Cooper , Wallace Beery and Lewis Stone ; this Disney take on (1950) by Byron Haskin , being a respectable full-blooded second-best the classic Fleming version ; it was followed by a sequel titled ¨Long John Silver¨ also directed by Byron Haskin with Robert Newton , Lloyd Berrell , Grant Taylor , Rod Taylor ; in addition , ¨Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie on January 29, 1951 with Bobby Driscoll reprising his film role . Furthermore , European retelling (1974) by John Hough with Orson Welles , Angel Del Pozo , Lionel Stander and Kim Burfield ; ¨Treasure Island¨ (1999) by Marc Charlesbois with Jack Palance , Patrick Bergin and Kevin Zegers ; TV recounting by Fraser C Heston with Charlton Heston , Christian Bale and Richard Johnson . ¨Muppet's Treasure island¨ (1996) and recent rendition (2012) by Steve Barron , starred by Eddie Izzard , Rupert Penry-Jones , Daniel Mays , Donald Sutherland and Elijah Wood . Besides , "Treasure Island in Outer Space", TV miniseries (1987) set in space directed by Antonio Margheriti with Anthony Quinn as Long John Silver , David Warbeck as Doctor Livesy and Philippe Leroy as Squire . And Disney top-notch cartoon-Sci-Fi version Treasure planet (2002) splendidly directed by John Musker and Ron Clemens .

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.

Because practically everyone knows the story of "Treasure Island", I don't bother summarizing it here...especially since this is a rather direct telling of the classic story with no weirdness like you'd find in "Treasure Planet".

So is this Disney-fied version any good? Yes. While I still prefer the MGM version of the 1930s, this one is quite nice with its full color and the fun (and far from subtle) performance by Robert Newton as Long John Silver. Nothing particularly out of the oridinary....just a solid incarnation of the old Robert Louis Stevenson novel and a decent movie you can watch with your family.

'They don't make 'em like this any more'. I've heard that statement made many times and, in the case of this movie at least, it is very true. Disney's version of Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island sticks surprisingly close to the book - not perfectly, of course, but close enough. It is quite violent for a Disney movie, but a lot of the potential gore is not seen and even if it was, it would be pretty tame compared to what kids see these days even on television.

Well acted and scripted, this boasts an iconic turn by Robert Newton as Long John Silver. The movie is almost worth watching for that alone. This is where all pirate stereotypes we all accept and hold dear originated! The other actors are all great too. Special effects and a lot of the backdrops leave a lot to be desired but this was made in 1950 and they are certainly fine for the time. Only a real curmudgeon would mark the movie down on this score anyway.

I have no doubt that someone making a version of this story in 2021 would add new 'twists' and personal 'reimaginings' to the plot - and ruin the story in the process. It's nice to see a movie that respects its source material.

This is a great movie for kids and nice nostalgia for adults. See it.

This film begins in 1765 at a small tavern on the west coast of England where a young boy by the name of "Jim Hawkins" (Bobby Driscoll) is given a sheet of paper by a fugitive to keep in his possession in case something happens to him. Sure enough, the man is killed not long afterward and Jim dutifully calls the local authorities who chase those responsible off. It's then that Jim shows the person in charge named "Squire Trelawney" (Walter Fitzgerald) the paper given to him which proves to be a map detailing where a fortune in treasure is buried on an deserted island in the Caribbean. This excites Squire Trelawney who immediately seeks to charter a ship out of Bristol to take him to there. Unfortunately, once they find the right ship they realize that there aren't enough reliable sailors in Bristol at the time to fully man it. So to solve the problem Squire Trelawney allows a cook at a nearby inn named "Long John Silver" (Robert Newton) to personally recruit the men needed. What nobody knows, however, is that Long John Silver is a pirate captain and the people he hires are his own men who also want to get their hands on the treasure as well. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was a decent pirate movie which follows the book reasonably well and is definitely suitable for the entire family. Admittedly, I didn't particular care for the manner in which Geoffrey Wilkinson overplayed the character of "Ben Gunn" but that's just my opinion. Regardless, this wasn't a bad film by any means and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.

Even though it does not stick 100% to the novel, it stays true to the spirit and idea of the book. A light-hearted and well done adaptation of a well-loved book. Casting is brilliantly done, particularly for the parts of Long John Silver and Squire Trelawney. Locations are amazingly picturesque and make the watcher feel like they are in the right world for a swashbuckling pirate adventure, thereby making it all the better for them. For Disney's first foray into the arena of live-action films, it is extremely well done and hopefully they will be able to recapture their former glory and go back to the days of Treasure Island, Mary Poppins, and other live-action masterpieces of their illustrious past.

The 1950 version of "Treasure Island" is in many ways an inferior telling of the classic tale.

The characters are more like caricatures of the original Stevenson crew. While Newton's Silver will forever impact the depiction of the classic pirate, the remaining cast constantly hams it up with over the top performances (Newton included). The plot is never allowed to simply unfold, but instead is constantly being explained to the audience. The characters not only take an action but immediately explain what they have just done (e.g. Silver choosing the crew, the incident with the rum, and many more). In addition many of the plot changes (e.g. Dr. Livesy giving the map to Hawkins prior to his seizing of the Hispaniola, and Silver threatening to kill the hostage Jim completely out of character!) only convolute the story. All in all, this ruins the magic of the original story, most of which is due a sense of mystery and unknowing: why did the heroes willingly surrender the map? When will Israel Hand strike? All of this is lost in a plot line which can simply be described as impatient.

For a superior film, please see the 1934 MGM release. This classic version is much more true to the original novel, both in plot, atmosphere, and characters. Beery's customary off-hand delivery creates a more scheming and duplicitous Silver.

I saw this film as a child and enjoyed it, but when I watched it again tonight with my children, I absolutely loved it. My two oldest daughters are big fans of "Pirates of the Caribbean." They immediately recognized Robert Newton's brilliant performance as Long John Silver as the inspiration for Geoffrey Rush's equally delightful turn as Captain Barbossa fifty years later. Newton steals the show with his characterization of the famous pirate, yet does so without distracting one from the story.

A half century has not robbed this film of any of its charm; it remains one of the great pirate films of all time. Grab a bowl of popcorn and fire up your DVD player. Treasure Island is the real thing!

It's never easy watching a film you haven't seen for nigh on twelve years and it's especially difficult when you realise in the days of said viewing, you might have even seen it three times during one summer holiday week. Such was the situation with Treasure Island, a film rich in energy and sense of adventure with its glorious Technicolor for 1950 and expansive approach consisting of several exotic locations, both internal and external. Kids these days may well be brought up on Disney's golden goose in the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy, a trilogy I am not fond of at all, but viewing this for the first time in just over a decade felt more like a nostalgia trip than anything else but it still retains that charm and intrigue.

I'll be blunt and put forward the case for the Golden era of Hollywood film-making being the best. If we compare Treasure Island to the much more contemporary 'Pirates' trilogy, we can see that back in the day a pirate was a character with an obscure accent and appearance to match – I am of course talking about Long John Silver played by Robert Newton in a performance that 'invented' the pirate 'cliché' (I use the word cliché with all due respect). As an actor, Newton is up there with Lugosi when it comes to bringing to the screen a filmic caricature; Lugosi's being the vampire. Nowadays, the character of the pirate is relegated to looking like a freak and in POTC's case must inhabit some sort of un-dead un-canniness within him to make it extra interesting. They are not aided when a name and a face in the form of Johnny Depp must stand in front of the camera and burble some nonsense in a silly voice.

As a study of the pirate, Treasure Island is the Star Wars of the subject; it is the beginning and the breaking of the mould that allows all the more recent garbage to even get made in the first place so on one hand, you have to pay credit to Treasure Island for its ingenuity even if it is a bad thing in the long run. As a film alone, it just about makes the grade. As an historical piece, it owes a lot to the large scale Hollywood epics like King Kong and The Adventures of Robin Hood which placed its protagonists in strange and somewhat dangerous rural places before having them strive for their lives – once the film gets going, Treasure Island strongly resembles these narrative ideas. Indeed, the film's lone scene of rather extreme for the time violence is a siege on a rural makeshift fort in the jungle, something its hero Jim Hawkins (Driscoll) must endure.

Treasure Island switches effortlessly between location scenes and studio based shoots, blending its editing in with its rousing score typical of the classical Hollywood era. There is a particularly well executed scene later on when, at night, a pirate chases young Jim around a boat and up some rigging before a final confrontation plays out. The scene is menacing perhaps purely for the reason it is a young child in quite some peril. But everything begins with an effortless establishment in Bristol, England where Jim (who's accent is American, but that will have to be ignored during viewing) comes across a treasure map hiding something in the region of £100,000. As a protagonist, Jim is a child but that does not mean he is weak. He serves drinks behind his mother's bar to the roughest looking of men and looks as if he can keep straight faced and cool headed when he needs to tell a lie. Jim is a child but he does not adopt typical childish characteristics and this is all helped by some good acting on Driscoll's behalf – Bloom and Knightly take note: get into your character, asses what they should be and then weigh up the predicament they're in and surprise your audience by going against type.

As a character, Jim also represents in a meek fashion the target audience itself. The idea that Disney films were produced predominantly for kids was probably truer in 1950 than it is now and to have a young hero like Jim for the tykes to map onto is a good move, speaking from some form of experience I suppose one of the reason's I kept coming back to this film when I was very young was because I rarely saw a child protagonist in a film; either that or my parents realised it was a good way to shut me up and put it on every now and then. So if Jim is the fish-out-of-water child hero then the people around him are a little less-so. Squire Trelawney (Fitzgerald) is a loud, port drinking Englishman and the doctor is the opposite; a quiet and educated Englishman whom is also well-spoken. Equally so, the character of Ben Gunn once on the island comes off as failed comic relief that mercifully, is used in a sparse manner.

This is a Disney film about pirates in which you do not get a pretty faced Keira Knightley caked in makeup talking about how she 'wishes to evoke the rule of parlez' in front of a group of characters whom resemble freaks more so than seafarers. The film is quite violent for a 1950s Disney flick and pushes the censorship codes at the time in the sense it allows a killer and a scoundrel to get away with it all. My heart says vote it higher but this is an ordinary tale, albeit interesting, that failed to 'wow' me in the manner other such classical films have done recently.

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."

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.

Exciting film version of the Robert Louis Stevenson classic novel directed by Byron Haskin stars Bobby Driscoll as Jim Hawkins, a young lad in a coastal inn who becomes involved with a pirate treasure map of Captain Flint, which is sought after by pirate Long John Silver(played by Robert Newton in a robust performance) Jim Hawkins will later join Squire Trelawney in pursuit of Silver, on the high seas and later on the island where the treasure awaits...

Well cast and entertaining film has good direction and period atmosphere, even if it isn't entirely faithful or credible at times, it is still good fun, and was Walt Disney's first live action film.

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..."

Young Jim Hawkins (Bobby Driscoll) is drawn into a world of high adventure on the sea when he gains possession of a treasure map containing the secret location of Flint's gold and soon has his friends enlisting a seafaring crew. However a band of pirates also has their eyes set firmly on attaining said loot.

This highly entertaining Disney adventure should appeal to anyone who ever dreamed of pirates and adventure on the high seas. Perhaps is responsible for some of the existing pirate stereotypes we still have today. Robert Newton steals the show as Long John Silver while Bobby Driscoll does well as Jim Hawkins, a young lad faced with the task of trying to outwit a band of cutthroat deadly pirates. Good even if one has to suspend one's disbelief quite a bit and this feels more like a TV adventure than a feature film.

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)

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

I'm 24 years old, and I still love Disney movies. I also still live with my Grandma, and since I love movies we watch a bunch together.

There's not many kinds of movies we can both agree to watch and enjoy, but old live action Disney movies are among them. We love movies like Swiss Family Robinson, The Ugly Daschund, Third Man On The Mountain, and the like.

As such, I bought Treasure Island about 6 months ago, and we finally watched it. Sadly, it was kind of disappointing.

The plot, based on Robert Louis Stevenson's novel, follows a young boy named Jim Hawkins, who is brought by pirates on a voyage to find some ultimate treasure on Treasure Island.

There are definitely some good things to say about Treasure Island. The acting is good, particularly from Bobby Driscoll, who plays Jim. Fun Fact: Bobby would voice Peter Pan 3 years later, and puberty clearly hit him in that time because his voice is not at ALL the same.

Robert Newton is also enjoyable as Long John Silver. There are also other note-worthy stars, such as Finlay Currie, who later played Balthazar in Ben-Hur(1959).

In regards to camera work and the like, the movie is fine there as well. However, there is nothing to write home about.

All that said, sadly, Treasure Island, for all the adventure and being a Disney movie, was a bit lackluster. A bit unfortunate for being the very first fully live action Disney movie.

I found myself checking the timestamp or ready to doze off a handful of times. I thought of a couple 8 year old kids that I know, and I don't think this would interest them either for that reason.

Treasure Island isn't "terrible", it's just okay. (Apart from my 6/10, consider that my Grandma rated it a 7/10 and had similar thoughts.) On a "thumbs up, thumbs down" scale, I would have to say thumbs down, but I didn't "hate it."

If you are skimming Disney Plus and need something to watch, this won't hurt. But considering some of the live action movies Walt would release later, like The Sword and the Rose, Old Yeller, Third Man On The Mountain, Swiss Family Robinson, Pollyanna, The Parent Trap, The Ugly Daschund, and the like, there are simply far better live action movies from this era.

Reverse Recommendations: Apart from the old Disney movies listed above, the Pirates of the Caribbean movies are better Disney movies about pirates.

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