Treasure Island (1990)
Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel has been adapted for cinema and television numerous times. Perhaps the most well known is the 1950 Disney version, starring Robert Newton as Long John Silver. His eye rolling performance and exaggerated West Country accent is credited with popularising the stereotypical form of “pirate speech" that has become the pop culture default. Although an enjoyable film, it does gloss over the more sinister aspects of both the source text and history, perpetuating the myth that pirates are just loveable scoundrels. Many subsequent adaptations have fallen into the same trap to a greater or lesser degree. However, that is not the case with the 1990 version of Treasure island, which was made for the TNT cable network and released theatrically outside of the US. This darker and notably more violent adaptation closely follows the source text and is widely considered the most faithful to the book.
Ageing pirate Captain Bones, takes lodging in the Admiral Benbow inn, owned by Jim Hawkins and his widowed mother. One night, Bone’s former crew mates Black Dog and Blind Pew arrive and an altercation breaks out. As more pirates attack the inn, the local Magistrate Dr. Livesey and the local militia drive them off. Bones gives Jim the key to his chest and dies. When Jim searches the chest he finds some papers which he and Dr. Livesey then take to Squire Trelawney. He realises that one is a treasure map belonging to the notorious pirate Captain Flint. Trelawney charters the ship Hispaniola and hires Captain Smollett. He then employs a one-legged publican Long John Silver the as ships cook. Silver then convinces Trelawney to hire his friends as crew. However, both Silver and the men are former associates of Captain Flint and plan to take the treasure.
Written and directed by Fraser C. Heston Treasure Island boasts a notable cast with the likes of Christopher Lee (Blind Pew), Oliver Reed (Billy Bones), Richard Johnson (Squire Trelawney) and Julian Glover (Doctor Livesey). However the focus of this gritty adaptation is Charlton Heston as Long John Silver and Christian Bale as Jim Hawkins. Heston plays Silver as a cold, cunning and dangerous rogue, who pivots between charm and violence. Bale excels as a quick witted “Jim lad”, who is the equal of many of his seniors. The film eschews the cosy “odd couple” interpretation of prior adaptations. Both Silver and Hawkins are pragmatic in their own way and see much of themselves in each other. The production makes excellent use of locations in Devon and Cornwall in the UK, as well as Jamaica, capturing the atmosphere of the times well.
The 1950 Disney production of Treasure Island was not only instrumental in creating the modern contemporary stereotypical depiction of pirates but it also neutered the inherent violence and unpleasantness associated with such a lifestyle. That is not the case here. The crew of the Hispaniola are depicted as scurvy degenerates and it doesn’t take long for them to lapse into violence. Although not excessively graphic there are various stabbings, people being run through with cutlesses and the judicious use of the swivel gun in the final battle scene. All of which is concisely staged by veteran UK stunt co-ordinator Peter Diamond and shot by second unit director Joe Canutt. The proceedings are further bolstered by a traditional folk inspired score by Paddy Maloney and performed by his band The Chieftains. It has an appropriate nautical style without lapsing into cliche.
By following the source text closely, presenting the story within an accurate representation of the period and filling the cast with character actors of note, Treasure Island avoids the puerile and re-establishes the story as an adult, action adventure. Pirates are not jolly, fun characters as they seem to be presented in contemporary pop culture. They are thieves, murderers and worse. Director Fraser C. Heston in many ways set a benchmark as to how you effectively adapt a classic book and make it palatable for modern audiences, without denigrating the material. Sadly, few filmmakers have learned this lesson, instead often deviating from the source text and pandering to modern sensibilities. Mercifully, none of those mistakes are made here. Hence Treasure Island is highly recommended both as an entertaining film and a blue print as to how you adapt classic literature.
