Treasure Island (1950) Review

The 1950’s was a time in which Disney started experimenting with live-action films. Their first project was the popular Robert Louise Stevenson novel ‘Treasure Island’; a treasure-hunting pirate tale that was (and still is) wildly popular amongst young boys.

This would be the first of Disney’s many adaptations of ‘Treasure Island’; some other well-known versions are ‘The Muppets Treasure Island’ and ‘Treasure Planet’, which was a sci-fi version of the story.

The story starts off in the year 1765 in which Jim Hawkins (Bobby Driscoll. Yes I do mean Peter Pan himself!) is given a map by Captain William Bones after being visited by two pirates. The former Captain is clearly sickly and Jim tries to help him.

“No rum sir; the doctor said!” Jim reminds him, clearly worried. The former Captain refuses to give in to the doctor’s orders and, despite the warning, consumes a bottle of rum. Before he dies though, he gives Jim the map that has a “x” marked on it.

Amongst the authorities that’ve been alerted by Jim are Squire Trelawney (Walter Fitzgerald) and Dr Livesy (Denis O’Dea). Upon showing them the map, the Squire immediately funds a treasure hunt for the three of them to go on. Jim is to accompany them as a Cabin Boy.

After finally able to watch this film since I really enjoyed the book, I really enjoyed it. Maybe I’m being biased though since I’ve always liked Bobby Driscoll on ‘Peter Pan’ and this was another one of his well-known rolls. Of course, Robert Newton steals the show as pirate Long John Silver.

This was ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ long before Disney did ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’…and I must say it’s the best pirate film out there for anyone of all ages!