Billy Bones
Billy Bones | |
|---|---|
| Occupation(s) | Pirate, first mate |
| Known for | Character in Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island |
Billy Bones is a fictional figure featured in the opening segment of Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 work Treasure Island. He is well-known for performing the sea shanty "Dead Man's Chest".
In the novel
At the beginning of the narrative, Billy Bones appears carrying a mysterious sea chest, searching for an inn overlooking the sea. He selects the Admiral Benbow Inn and demands to be addressed as "Captain". Although he makes a substantial initial payment, he remains for several months, pressuring Jim Hawkins' father to refrain from requesting additional funds once the deposit has been exhausted. He compensates Jim with fourpence each month to keep watch for "a one-legged sailor", frequently debating whether to continue but ultimately maintaining the arrangement. Much of his time is occupied pacing the cliffs and observing the ocean.
A heavy drinker, Bones intimidates other guests through foul language, singing, and bullying behavior. His reputation draws visitors and grants him local esteem as a genuine "old salt". During one winter, he is confronted by Black Dog, a menacing man missing two fingers. Their encounter escalates into a sword duel, with Bones forcing Black Dog to flee wounded. Shortly thereafter, Bones suffers a stroke and receives care from Dr. Livesey, who discovers Bones’ true identity tattooed on his arm while treating him.
Despite warnings to cease drinking, Bones is unable to comply. Weakened by his stroke and Black Dog's assault, he confides in Jim Hawkins that he served as first mate under the notorious pirate Captain Flint, shedding light on his secretive demeanor.
A few days later, a blind pirate named Pew arrives, frightening Bones and presenting him with a Black Spot. This leads to a fatal second stroke for Bones. The pirates proceed to ransack the inn but fail to uncover the treasure map now in Hawkins’ possession. Their destruction leaves the Hawkins family destitute and sets them on their quest for the hidden treasure.
Fictional biography
Bones' ledger, examined by Jim Hawkins and Dr. Livesey, reveals that he spent nearly two decades as a pirate.
Annotations on Treasure Island’s map indicate that Captain Flint concealed his loot in August 1750, with Bones obtaining the map in July 1754 as Flint was nearing death.
A conversation between Long John Silver and Dick Johnson implies that Blind Pew squandered his share within a year and lived in hardship and violence until his accidental death beneath a Revenue Officer’s horse—placing events around Treasure Island circa 1756–1757.
Other media
- Herschell Mayall took on the role of Captain Bill Bones in the prologue of the 1918 silent film Treasure Island.
- Lionel Barrymore portrayed him in the 1934 cinematic adaptation.
- The 1967 Lost in Space episode titled "Treasure of the Lost Planet" features space pirates searching for "Beelibones' treasure," an allusion to Treasure Island.
- In the 1971 anime movie Animal Treasure Island, Billy Bones is depicted as an anthropomorphic one-legged cat pursued for Flint’s map; he dies off-screen after entrusting Jim with it.
- Lionel Stander played Bones in the 1972 live-action version.
- The character is referenced in tracks by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band (1974) and Elton John (1975).
- Leonid Markov portrayed Billy Bones in the 1982 Soviet film adaptation.
- Martin Landau appeared as "Old Captain" in the 1986 movie.
- Viktor Andriyenko provided his voice in the 1988 Soviet animated film.
- Oliver Reed starred as Bones in the 1990 adaptation.
- Billy Connolly assumed the role in Muppet Treasure Island (1996).
- Patrick Bergin portrayed him in the 1999 film.
- In Disney's animated Treasure Planet (2002), voiced by Patrick McGoohan, Bones is reimagined as an alien tortoise-like pilot who crash-lands near Jim’s home, giving him a map before passing away.
- The Libertines mention Billy Bones in their 2003 song "Time For Heroes."
- Tom Hopper portrayed Billy Bones in Starz's series Black Sails (2014–2017), revealing his full name as William "Bones" Manderly and depicting him as a press-ganged son of anti-impressment activists who became a pirate after being liberated by Captain Flint.
- Additional actors who have played Billy Bones include Ernest Borgnine, Michael Elphick (1995), Finlay Currie, Dante Maggio, Jack Watson, Ryo Kurosawa, Takeshi Aono, and Justin Jones (2006).