Return to Treasure Island (TV series)
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television production |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Founder | Disney, HTV Wales |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom, United States |
Area served | United Kingdom, United States |
Key people | Brian Blessed, Christopher Guard, Kenneth Colley, John Goldsmith (writer), Piers Haggard (director), Alex Kirby (director), Patrick Dromgoole (producer) |
| Products | Television drama series |
| Parent | Disney, HTV Wales (Harlech Television Group) |
Return to Treasure Island is a television series from 1986 produced by Disney in collaboration with HTV Wales, featuring Brian Blessed as Long John Silver, Christopher Guard portraying Jim Hawkins, and Kenneth Colley playing Ben Gunn.
The series was commissioned by the Disney Channel and produced by HTV Wales, a division of the Harlech Television Group, with filming locations spanning Wales, Spain, and Jamaica. The script was penned by John Goldsmith, while direction was handled by Piers Haggard and Alex Kirby. HTV Wales drew on its prior experience adapting Robert Louis Stevenson's works, such as Kidnapped (1979) and The Master of Ballantrae (1984). Patrick Dromgoole, who later produced Treasure Island, oversaw this project. The show comprises ten episodes.
Plot
Taking place a decade after the events of the original Treasure Island, the narrative follows Jim Hawkins returning home following his graduation from Oxford University. His mother organizes a surprise gathering attended by familiar figures including Squire Trelawney, Dr Livesey, Captain Smollett, and Ben Gunn. At the same time, Long John Silver arrives secretly. Trelawney appoints Jim as the representative for his Jamaican plantations, which have been suffering financial losses.
Silver insists on obtaining the Treasure Island map, convinced that a cache of valuable gems remains hidden. When Silver’s crew attempts to set fire to the inn to silence witnesses, Silver intervenes to protect Jim but is subsequently arrested on charges of piracy and murder. Condemned to death, Jim manages to have his sentence reduced to transportation. They embark on the ship Saracen bound for the West Indies, where they encounter Hans Van Der Brecken, a Dutchman; Reverend Morgan; and Isabella, daughter of a Spanish nobleman.
A mutiny led by Silver breaks out aboard the ship; however, Hawkins and Van Der Brecken resist him. An assault by Spanish forces compels former adversaries to collaborate. Silver kidnaps Isabella and escapes in a longboat accompanied by Hawkins, Van Der Brecken, and Morgan. Upon reaching Jamaica, they discover that Trelawney’s plantation manager is involved in fraudulent activities alongside the Governor, aiming to steal the map and claim the remaining treasure. The story reaches its climax with a decisive confrontation on Treasure Island.
Episode list
- Ep.1 - The Map
- Ep.2 - Mutiny
- Ep.3 - Island of the Damned
- Ep.4 - Jamaica
- Ep.5 - Manhunt
- Ep.6 - The Crow's Nest
- Ep.7 - Fugitives
- Ep.8 - In Chains
- Ep.9 - Spanish Gold
- Ep.10 - Treasure Island
Production notes
The screenplay underwent development over several years: Ivor Dean, who played Silver in the acclaimed 1966 miniseries Treasure Island, initially sought to create a sequel alongside writer Robert S. Baker. After Dean passed away in 1974, the project was paused but eventually evolved into this miniseries.
The concluding scenes featuring Long John Silver fleeing with diamonds concealed within his crutch were shot atop HTV’s Pontcanna Studio roof in Cardiff (a building since demolished).
The tall ship Kaskelot played a significant role throughout the series’ production.
Music
Composers Terry Oldfield and Tom McGuinness created the musical score for the series. Terry Oldfield, recognized for his previous BBC compositions and collaborations with his brother Mike Oldfield, released the theme tune as a 7-inch single that included extended versions of recurring pieces titled "Isabella" and "Island of Dreams."
Home media
Originally broadcast in 1986, the series was first made available on video in a significantly edited form but was subsequently restored to its complete ten-episode version. The initial DVD edition was released on 26 May 2008 by Network Releasing as a three-disc collection, preserving the original picture quality without any digital enhancement.
Cast
- Brian Blessed portraying Long John Silver
- Christopher Guard as Jim Hawkins
- Reiner Schöne in the role of Hans Van Der Brecken
- Deborah Poplett playing Lady Isabella
- Peter Lloyd as Abed Jones
- Kenneth Colley cast as Ben Gunn
- Dicken Ashworth in the role of Gaines
- Donald Pickering portraying Joshua Hallows
- Artro Morris as Reverend Morgan
- Bruce Purchase playing Squire Trelawney
- Peter Copley as Dr. Livesey
- Richard Beale in the role of Captain Alexander Smollett
- W. Morgan Sheppard portraying Sam Boakes
- Nick Brimble as Keelhaul
External links
- Articles with short description
- 1986 British television series debuts
- 1986 British television series endings
- 1980s British drama television series
- Television series based on Treasure Island
- Disney Channel original programming
- ITV television dramas
- 1980s British television miniseries
- Sequel television series
- Television series about pirates
- Television shows produced by Harlech Television
- Television series by ITV Studios
- British English-language television shows