Treasure Island (1938 film)
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film |
| Founded | 1938 |
| Founder | Vladimir Vaynshtok (director) |
| Products | Adventure film |
Treasure Island () is a 1938 Soviet adventure film helmed by director Vladimir Vaynshtok, featuring performances by Osip Abdulov, Mikhail Klimov, and Nikolai Cherkasov. This adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's novel Treasure Island is one among several Soviet-era reinterpretations of British literary classics. The film incorporates anti-British messaging and promotes leninist-marxist principles by modifying key narrative components, such as transforming the character Jim Hawkins into a female protagonist named Jenny. The treasure hunt serves as a means to finance an Irish rebellion against British rule. An English-language version was produced under the direction of David Bradley.
Plot summary
Taking place in the late 18th century, this retelling of Treasure Island diverges considerably from the original plot. Irish insurgents searching for funds to acquire arms discover a treasure map among the possessions of pirate Billy Bones. Jenny, the daughter of an innkeeper who disguises herself as a boy named Jim, joins forces with rebellion leader Dr. Livesey, Captain Smollett, and financier Trelawney to prepare the ship Hispaniola for their expedition. Unbeknownst to them, many crew members are actually pirates.
During their journey, Trelawney betrays the group by aligning himself with the pirates. Following numerous perils, Dr. Livesey, Jenny (who reveals her true identity), and their allies locate the treasure. Jenny is taken prisoner aboard the Hispaniola by pirates Israel Hands and George Merry; these two later clash violently. Hands assaults Jenny but is fatally shot by Livesey.
The rebels apprehend boatswain Long John Silver, who resists capture and ultimately dies in a duel with Captain Smollett. The insurgents leave the remaining pirates stranded on the island and return to Ireland with the treasure to support their uprising.
Cast
- Klavdiya Pugachova as Jenny Hawkins
- Osip Abdulov as John Silver
- Mikhail Klimov as Trelawney
- Nikolai Cherkasov as Billy Bones
- Aleksandr Bykov as Captain Smollett
- Iona Bij-Brodsky as George Mari
- Pyotr Galadzhev as Ben Gunn
- Aleksandr Levshin
- Nikolai Michurin
- Mikhail Tsaryov as Dr. Livesey
- Vladimir Yershov
- L. Meshcherin
- V. Yakushenko
References
Bibliography
- Evgeny Dobrenko & Marina Balina. The Cambridge Companion to Twentieth-Century Russian Literature. Cambridge University Press, 2011.