Treasure Island

Release Date: July 29, 1950

Watch Date: February 7 – February 8, 2023

 

    If the original Treasure Island novel is the prototype for nearly all other pirate novels and myths, does that make Treasure Island the movie the prototype for nearly all other pirate movies?

    Without Treasure Island, the novel and the film, would we have Pirates of the Caribbean? For that alone we need to be appreciative of this film.

    I like Treasure Island, and I’ll admit that without any embarrassment. Long John Silver is a fantastic character. He’s not a hero, and not a villain. He just is. Living for his own motivations, unafraid to show his own humanity when it comes to Jim Hawkins, willing to play both sides as long as he gets what he wants.

    Bob, I think, wasn’t anticipating too much from this film. A grainy pirate movie from the 1950s? He was less than enthused. But there he was, by the final scene, completely invested in what was happening.

    Compared to Silver, all the other characters seem flat and one note. It’s a problem of having such a well written character – if everyone else isn’t up to snuff, you really notice it.

    Probably the best part of the film was trying to spot when Silver’s leg would pop into the scene. They do an admirable job trying to make it look like it’s missing, but the few times it appears you really notice it – much to mine and Bob’s continuing entertainment. We had to pause, rewind and laugh every time. We’re very easily pleased people.

    I think this movie is worth a watch, especially if you’re fan of pirate content. So, so much of pirate lore starts here and I personally think the origin of things is extremely interesting. Obviously, or doing this marathon would have never occurred to us in the first place.