Treasure Island (1950 film)

RKO-Walt Disney British Productions
Company type	Joint venture
Industry	Film production
Founded	1949
Founder	Walt Disney Productions and RKO Radio Pictures
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Products	Films

Treasure Island is a 1950 adventure film produced by RKO-Walt Disney British Productions, based on the 1883 novel by Robert Louis Stevenson. Directed by Byron Haskin, the film features Bobby Driscoll in the role of Jim Hawkins and Robert Newton portraying Long John Silver. This production marked Disney's inaugural fully live-action movie and was also the first color film adaptation of Treasure Island. The shooting occurred in the United Kingdom at Denham Film Studios as well as various outdoor locations.

Newton’s interpretation of Long John Silver left a lasting impact on how pirates are depicted in popular culture.

Plot

Set in 1765, the story follows Jim Hawkins, who resides with his mother at their rural inn. When Captain William Bones, a lodger, passes away after receiving a menacing note bearing the black spot, he entrusts Jim with a treasure map. Jim presents this map to Squire Trelawney, who funds an expedition to locate the treasure left by the buccaneer Captain Flint. Trelawney commissions Captain Smollett to command the ship Hispaniola and includes Dr. Livesey and Jim as cabin boy on the journey.

At the inn, Long John Silver, an innkeeper and one-legged cook, agrees to assemble the crew. Silver befriends Jim and joins the voyage. Captain Smollett remains suspicious of the crew, aware that their mission has become public knowledge. While at sea, Silver arranges for the first mate’s disappearance during a storm and unveils his plan for mutiny involving Flint’s former crew members. Jim warns Smollett, who advises him to keep communication open with Silver.

Upon arrival at Treasure Island, Silver attempts to maneuver the ship to safety but his men stage a mutiny aboard Hispaniola. Smollett defends the vessel with loyal crew members and confines the mutineers below deck. Silver releases the rowboats and goes ashore with most of his men, taking Jim hostage. Smollett, Trelawney, and Livesey follow while leaving guards aboard the ship.

Jim manages to escape on the island and encounters Ben Gunn, who has been stranded there for five years. Gunn leads Jim to Flint's stockade where Smollett and his allies have regrouped. Meanwhile, mutineer Merry captures the ship and hoists the Jolly Roger. Silver arms his men to attack the stockade but they are repelled, with Smollett sustaining injuries.

Jim disables Hispaniola by cutting its anchor rope. Pirate Israel Hands chases Jim but is killed during their clash. The ship runs aground flying a Union Jack; Jim returns wounded to the now unguarded stockade where he discovers Silver disguised under Livesey's coat. Silver negotiates for Jim’s freedom in exchange for information about the map while his men debate their next steps.

Silver secretly strikes a deal with Livesey for leniency during trial, revealing that control over the ship has been lost. Livesey consents when Jim refuses to flee since Silver had previously saved him. Silver deceives his crew about the arrangement’s success; they continue their search for treasure.

At the treasure site, they discover only an empty pit containing a single guinea coin. The pirates turn against Silver; he kills three before Smollett’s forces overcome them. Ben Gunn reveals he recovered Flint’s treasure and concealed it in a cave.

Although honoring their agreement, Smollett insists on bringing Silver back to England for prosecution. While rowing away loaded with treasure, Silver seizes control of the boat but Jim cleverly strands him on a sandbar. Silver threatens Jim but hesitates to shoot; Jim helps him row off with the treasure as they part ways.

Production

Treasure Island was a product of RKO-Walt Disney British Productions, Ltd., a collaborative effort between Walt Disney Productions and RKO Radio Pictures. Walt Disney had envisioned adapting the story since the 1930s, originally planning it as an animated feature. In 1949, Disney secured the film rights from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, which had previously intended its own version. The movie was shot in the United Kingdom with funding from RKO, allowing the use of "frozen" British capital accumulated from earlier film profits.

Principal photography took place between July 4 and November 11, 1949. Outdoor sequences were filmed in various locations including Cornwall (notably River Fal and Falmouth), Devon (cliff areas), Bristol (wharf), and Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire. Indoor scenes were captured at Denham Film Studios. The shipboard scenes utilized the Ryelands, a schooner dating back to the 19th century.

The casting of Bobby Driscoll, the only American actor in the cast, contravened British labor regulations because he lacked a Ministry of Labour permit and was underage according to legal standards. A court in Beaconsfield imposed fines of £100 each on Driscoll, his father, and Walt Disney Productions, and prohibited Driscoll from continuing work on the film. Nevertheless, Disney completed Driscoll’s scenes and sent him back to the United States during an appeal process, which was later determined to be a clear breach of UK law.

Reception

The film received predominantly favorable critiques. Thomas M. Pryor of The New York Times described it as "a grand and glorious entertainment" that successfully "captures the true spirit of the novel." Variety commended its "lavish" set designs and hailed Newton’s performance as a "virtual tour de force." Sonia Stein from The Washington Post likened it to "a treasure chest of precious stones," emphasizing its "some of the most beautiful color photography ever shot." Harrison's Reports labeled it a "first-rate adventure melodrama" suitable for viewers of all ages, while Philip Hamburger of The New Yorker praised it as "absolutely first-class," noting its careful Technicolor craftsmanship. Conversely, The Monthly Film Bulletin offered a more critical perspective, describing the production values as competent but uninspired and finding Driscoll’s acting less than convincing.

Box-office

Upon release, the film earned $4.1 million in rentals for RKO, including $2.1 million from the United States and Canadian markets. It secured the position of sixth most popular film at the British box office in 1950. According to Kinematograph Weekly, it ranked among Britain’s 'biggest winners' that year alongside films such as The Blue Lamp, Annie Get Your Gun, and Odette.

Sequel

Newton returned to portray Long John Silver in a non-Disney sequel titled Long John Silver released in 1954, again directed by Haskin. This production was notable for being Australia’s first CinemaScope feature film. Newton also starred in the television series The Adventures of Long John Silver (1954–55), which was filmed at Pagewood Studios in Sydney prior to the establishment of Australian television broadcasting.

Re-releases, re-editing, and home media

In 1975, Walt Disney Productions brought the film back to US theaters. To align with Disney's then-existing G-only rating policy, the movie was trimmed by nine minutes, shortening its duration to 87 minutes to achieve a G rating.

Between 1981 and 1997, the film was released on videotape multiple times in the United States, and it also appeared on laserdisc in 1983 and again in 1992. Initial home media editions contained the edited G-rated cut; however, by the early 1990s, Disney reinstated the full original theatrical version running 96 minutes, which received a PG rating. Since 1991, every release—including the 2003 DVD and the 2015 Blu-ray distributed through the Disney Movie Club—has featured this unabridged edition.

At its launch on November 12, 2019, the film became available for streaming on Disney+.

Legacy

Newton’s interpretation of Long John Silver played a pivotal role in shaping pirate depictions within mainstream culture. His pronounced West Country English dialect contributed significantly to popularizing the iconic "pirate speak," which has become synonymous with pirate characters. Newton is often regarded as the "patron saint" of International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Furthermore, notable characters such as Jack Sparrow and Hector Barbossa have drawn creative influence from his portrayal of Long John Silver in this production.

Comic book adaptation

Dell Four Color #624 (April 1955)

External links

Radio Times review
Treasure Island, a one-hour radio adaptation based on the film broadcast on Lux Radio Theater on January 29, 1951, starring James Mason and Bobby Driscoll.