Treasure Island (1950)

Sorry, this movie sucks

hyped garbage

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

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.

First thing you think of when you think "Treasure Island" is Newton's outrageous overacting job. The best part is it all works, and it is one of filmdom's most memorable performances as well as an example of outstanding scenery-chewing. He is an arresting image when on the screen - in fact, you can't take your eyes off him. Other examples of this would be Shirley Temple or Carmen Miranda. I thought it the first time I saw "Treasure Island" and it became indelible in my mind since that time when I was 12. The whole movie is a classic made from a classic novel, well done in all phases which is a hallmark of the Disney studios. It was mostly a British cast except for the tragic Bobby Driscoll, whose adult life is one of Hollywood's horror stories. "Treasure Island" was on the other day on old reliable TCM. Try to catch it next time if you haven't seen it - it's great.

A deadly boring, badly acted movie that has not stood the test of time at all - although it probably wasn't that good when it was made over sixty years ago. Robert Newton overacts as Long John Silver and Bobby Driscoll was badly miscast as Jim Hawkins. His American accent was totally out of place, an English boy should have been cast. Most of the movie takes place in the studio even when they're supposed to be at sea. The worst part of all was a completely unfunny and embarrassing Ben Gunn - thankfully, he wasn't in the film for very long.The 1972 version with Orson Welles is far better, despite the dubbing of the international cast.

Robert Louis Stevenson published his adventure packed book in 1883 and it would become the wellspring of a hundred imitations, sagas and motion pictures. This film for instance is the original tale as penned by the author and called " Treasure Island. " Anyone looking for the original birth source of Jim Hawkins (Bobby Driscoll), Long John Silver (Robert Newton) or Ben Gunn (Geoffrey Wilkinson) should include this incredible story as likely a Classic movie. It contains nearly all things related to the 19th century. Pirates, Tall ships, sailing the high seas, treasure maps and of course Spanish Gold. For any audience, the masterful pirate John Silver who takes as his mate, young Jim Hawkings and teaches the ways of the Pirate World, is perhaps the one place where hearing 'Arrrrr, there-she be mate' sounds perfectly natural. Coined by Newton himself, it became the stereotype of all subsequence pirate characters. Produced by Walt Disney studios, this film made sure that a star on the walk of fame, would forever shine for the principals of the story. Excellent family fare. ****