Treasure Island (1934)

Classic Motion Picture Masterpiece In Glorious Black and White!

This is a by far the best version of Treasure Island on film. The acting, story and direction are superlative! This was a period of time when MGM and the other motion picture giants were trying to get used to the Hayes Code and get the censors off their backs. The censors were leading a call to boycott movies due to their lack of morality. MGM set about calming the situation down by making a series of expensive, wonderful films from the classics. The Hayes Code couldn't complain about that and how could they lead a boycott of the Classics? It worked, not only by calming the situation down, but by providing people with some of the greatest films of all time. Treasure Island is a wonderful film. It has adventure, pirates and excitement. John Barrymore gets to act in two bit parts to show off his acting talent and we get to see why Wallace Beery and Jackie Cooper were so good together as a team. This is a movie that is a good example of why the 1930s was never surpassed as the greatest decade of film in the US and probably the world. The DVD is not colorized thank god and restored beautifully. I remember it as a kid having scratchy sound and a poor print. This is all corrected here. Try it, you'll love it! July 14, 2008

Expertly colorized (really!)

The colorization on the 1994 VHS version of TREASURE ISLAND is superbly rendered. Unlike so many other movies that have suffered from undergoing digitalized tinting, this film is actually the better for it. The colors are so vivid, diverse and in some scenes, skillfully blended, you may actually find yourself at times marvelling at them.

As for the movie itself:
Because of the talent involved (both in front of and behind the camera), this 1934 edition of the R.L. Stevenson story remains definitive. Wallace Beery is in top form as Long John Silver, Jackie Cooper brings his patented "Gee Whiz" charm to the role of Jim Hawkins and Lionel Barrymore makes for an outstanding Billy Bones. Once Bones dies and the treasure map is found in his sea chest, little time is wasted getting aboard the Hispaniola and sailing off in search of vast riches. The story never drags for a moment as events unfold. Comic relief is provided by an irascibly ill-behaved parrot and scraggly old Ben Gunn (brilliantly portrayed by 'Chic' Sale), who somehow manages to devour an entire wheel of cheese all by himself!

Whether you watch this first sound film of Treasure Island in the original black & white or in its color-enhanced format, one thing is certain-- this is the sort of movie that defines the term "classic." Enjoy! May 30, 2008

The Search for Unearned Wealth

This is based on the Robert Louis Stevenson novel where a young poor boy finds wealth from buried treasure. [This fantasy was the basis for many other novels.] Young Jim Hawkins helps his widowed mother run an inn by the sea; his father has died. A stranger takes a room, and asks Jim to be on the lookout for any seafaring man, especially a man with one leg. His actions create fear among the guests. Dr. Livesey uses his authority to restore order. Then another stranger, Black Dog, arrives and frightens the Captain. Blind Pew arrives to give a message to the Captain. This news scares the Captain who collapses on the stairs. Later men arrive to break into the inn. Jim takes a packet from the Captain's chest and finds a map for an island. The squire will charter a ship in Bristol, hire a captain and crew, then sail to this island. What could go wrong?

Long John Silver hops aboard and offers to serve as the cook. He also offers to find a crew among the clients at his inn. [The scene has subtle humor.] Captain Smollett arrives and has a complaint; he takes precautions by tipping the crew's knives. Then they set sail. [The camera shots avoid the land and docks.] Mr. Arrow disappears in the night. Henry falls from the rigging. Accidents? Then young Jim overhears the plot and reports to Captain Smollett. Counter-measures are planned. Jim goes ashore and runs ahead. The honest seamen are soon eliminated, the officers flee the ship with their arms to take shelter at the blockhouse. Jim meets Ben Gunn who was marooned on this island and knows every foot of it.

Captain John Silver arrives to offer a deal; it is refused. The pirates attack the blockhouse and are repulsed. Both sides take casualties. Silver plans to make rafts and bring a cannon ashore to destroy the blockhouse. Jim gets the idea of cutting the ship loose to prevent Silver's plans. Then Jim will beach the ship ashore. Jim has adventures on board and survives. [It's a good thing that Jim is familiar with firearms.] When Jim returns to the blockhouse he is surprised by the new occupants. The Captain and Squire traded the map for their freedom. "Treaties are only kept until there is a reason to break them" says political realist Silver.

Squalls result from finding the treasure site. Ben Gunn has been busy the past three years. The pirates are left on the island to survive as best they can. Long John Silver again displays his leadership qualities, the ability to manage his subordinates. Silver leaves the ship before the Captain returns with Naval authorities. [Wallace Beery emotes like the star of this film. Nigel Bruce plays his usual character.] Stevenson's description of the Squire suggests a dislike of inherited aristocracy.
December 7, 2007

The real pirate movie!

This is the real pirate movie! Ever since I saw this film the first time a long time ago, this is what I think of when you talk about buccaneers. Here you can hear the whole piratesong: 15 men on a dead mans chest....And learn about the black spot. Things that has been an inspiration to the pirates of the carribeans films. Wallace Berry and Jackie Cooper does a great acting job. Long John Silver is the crookiest crook, but still charming in a ruff way and young Jim Hawkins can't help liking him. This film is from 1934, so the film is in black and white. A great movie, says I, says you, says..... June 9, 2007

Treasure Island

Great Stuff for Adults who love the classics. Wallis Berry and Jackie Cooper do a great job of providing swashbuckeling entertainment. My 5 and 7 year old found it somewhat "boring" after seeing Pirates of the Caribbean more than a few times - although, my 7 year old has requested seeing it again and enjoyed it more the second time. You might have to turn up the sound on this copy as some of the old english may be hard to follow. Otherwise a very good buy. Enjoy! May 17, 2007

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