Treasure Island

About Treasure Island

Treasure Island is a 1950 live-action adventure film produced by Walt Disney Productions and adapted from the 1883 novel by Robert Louis Stevenson. The film is a coming-of-age story about the young boy Jim Hawkins who joins a ship's journey, led by Captain Smollett, to discover a pirate's lost treasure located on the eponymous Island. However, the ship's cook Long John Silver plays the villain with his intentions to overpower everyone to claim the treasure; a betrayal which results in thrilling battles.

Making / Production

The movie was directed by Byron Haskin, making it Disney's first live-action movie without any animation. The film was primarily shot in England and was renowned for its realistic replication of Stevenson's original novel.

Actors

• Bobby Driscoll as Jim Hawkins portrayed the role with youth and vulnerability, bringing life to the character's exploration, courage, and growth.
• Robert Newton as Long John Silver gave one of the most iconic performances in film history, defining the pirate stereotype with his peculiar accent and behavior.
• Walter Fitzgerald as Captain Smollett exhibited strong leadership and stark contrast to the character of Silver, embodying a moral and disciplined figure.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• This was the first Walt Disney live-action film without any animated sequences.
• Robert Newton's performance influenced the stereotypical image of pirates, including the distinctive "pirate talk."
• Despite being an American production, it was first released in London.

Quotes

• "Them that die'll be the lucky ones." - Long John Silver.
• "Pieces of eight! Pieces of eight!" - Long John Silver’s parrot.
• "One more step, Mr. Hands, and I'll blow your brains out." - Jim Hawkins.

Music, Soundtrack

• The film's soundtrack, composed by Clifton Parker, defined the classic pirate movie atmosphere with triumphant, adventurous scores and sea shanty-like sounds.