Treasure Island (2012 TV series)
| Company type | Television drama |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television |
| Founded | January 1, 2012 |
| Founder | Stewart Harcourt (writer), Laurie Borg (producer), Steve Barron (director) |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
Area served | United Kingdom |
| Parent | BSkyB |
| Website | www |
Treasure Island is a British television drama presented in two parts, adapted from Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 novel Treasure Island. The script was crafted by Stewart Harcourt, with Laurie Borg serving as producer and Steve Barron directing. This production, backed by BSkyB, debuted on Sky1 in the United Kingdom on 1 and 2 January 2012. Subsequently, the series was broadcast again on Pick in February 2013.
Plot
The story follows young Jim Hawkins (Toby Regbo) who uncovers a map leading to a fabled treasure island associated with the infamous Captain Flint (Donald Sutherland). He embarks on a voyage aboard the Hispaniola. Yet, the mysterious Long John Silver (Eddie Izzard) along with his crew harbor their own intentions.
Cast
- Eddie Izzard portrays Long John Silver, once quartermaster to Captain Flint, now landlord of the Spyglass Inn, cook aboard the Hispaniola, and leader of the mutineers. In this version, he loses a leg after Flint fires a cannon at his crew.
- Philip Glenister plays Captain Smollett, commanding officer of the Hispaniola
- Rupert Penry-Jones appears as Squire John Trelawney, head of the expedition, characterized here as avaricious and unreliable, contrasting with his more generous depiction in the novel.
- Toby Regbo is cast as Jim Hawkins, son of the Admiral Benbow innkeepers and cabin boy aboard the Hispaniola
- Daniel Mays takes on the role of Dr. David Livesey, ship’s physician and family acquaintance; initially shown as timid but later courageous.
- Reda Kateb plays Dujon, second mate on the Hispaniola, a character created exclusively for this adaptation.
- Donald Sutherland appears as Captain Flint, a legendary pirate featured in a prologue; this character does not appear in the original book.
- Elijah Wood portrays Ben Gunn, a marooned former crew member of Flint, depicted as an American Yankee.
- David Harewood plays Billy Bones, Flint’s ex-first mate whose demise triggers the adventure; portrayed as Jamaican.
- Julian Barratt is Redruth, Trelawney’s ruthless agent responsible for reclaiming the Admiral Benbow inn in England.
- Shirley Henderson portrays Meg Hawkins, Jim’s widowed mother and innkeeper.
- Nina Sosanya plays Alibe Silver, Silver’s wife, an original character who escapes to the Admiral Benbow and forms a friendship with Meg Hawkins.
- Geoff Bell appears as Israel Hands, former gunner under Flint and mutineer; depicted here as an incompetent sailor.
- Shaun Parkes plays George Merry, ex-Flint crewman and mutineer who leads opposition against Silver.
- Keith Allen portrays Blind Pew, a blind beggar and former member of Flint’s crew.
- Sean Gilder is cast as Black Dog, another former member of Flint’s crew.
- Barnaby Kay appears as Tom Morgan, ex-Flint crewman and mutineer; ethnicity is ambiguous compared to book descriptions.
- Clinton Blake plays Freddie Arrow, first mate of the Hispaniola, portrayed as Jamaican; killed following a confrontation with Trelawney.
- Tom Fisher portrays Abraham Gray, coxswain of the Hispaniola and sole surviving seaman not involved in mutiny.
- Madhur Mittal appears as Dick Johnson, a young ex-Flint crew member and mutineer; differs from the novel where he is not part of Flint’s crew.
- David Wilmot plays William O'Brien, a mutineer whose first name is unspecified in the book.
- Chu Omambala portrays Job Anderson, member of Flint’s crew and later part of the Hispaniola crew; role varies from book where he serves as boatswain.
- Lorenzo Grozco is Allardyce, Flint’s crewman who assists in burying treasure; his skeleton is later used by Flint.
- Alfredo Salgado appears as Jeremiah Darby, Flint’s crewman involved in treasure burial; unnamed in original text.
- Ruaidhri Conroy plays John Hunter, servant to Trelawney who is killed on Treasure Island.
- Mal Whyte portrays Richard Joyce, Trelawney’s valet also slain on Treasure Island.
- Tom Wu acts as Joe Thoby, Chinese seaman aboard Hispaniola killed by Silver for refusing to join mutiny; based on a character named Tom in the novel.
- Damien Hannaway takes on Alan Tab, Hispaniola crew member executed for resisting mutiny; surname not provided in book.
- Siobhan O'Kelly appears as Mrs Livesey, Dr. Livesey's deceased mother shown in flashbacks
- Tommy O'Neill portrays Salt
Reception
The series garnered a moderate level of critical praise, with reviewers commending its production quality and the performances of the cast. However, some critics expressed concerns regarding the direction and noted departures from the original narrative.
Sam Wollaston of The Guardian expressed disapproval of the alterations, considering them unnecessary and harmful, remarking that "Robert Louis Stevenson, Captain Flint, Davy Jones, would be turning in their graves/lockers." In contrast, Rachel Ward from The Telegraph praised the adaptation as "a creative interpretation," emphasizing Izzard's compelling portrayal of both antagonist and protagonist, alongside positive remarks about the action scenes.
External links
- Treasure Island at Sky 1