17 reviews
This Australian production made four years after Walt Disney's version of Treasure Island has Robert Newton reprising his role of Long John Silver. Returning characters from Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island are Jim Hawkins and Israel Hands.
The Disney version of Treasure Island was a once in a lifetime mating of an actor so perfect for the role he was cast in. Robert Newton was a man who needed a firm directorial hand normally, but Long John Silver is one of those larger than life parts where the sky isn't even the limit when it comes to chewing scenery. Newton throws himself into this role just as he did in Treasure Island and again in Blackbeard the Pirate, he was put on this planet to play pirates.
This film finds Long John rescuing the Governor of Jamaica's daughter and then returning to Treasure Island for more treasure. Jim Hawkins, who apparently never went back to the UK, is also along for the ride. On Treasure Island Newton has to deal with another pirate captain named Mendoza and Israel Hands from his old crew.
Now all of us who know the story of Treasure Island know that Jim Hawkins killed Israel Hands in the story. But it turns out not to be the case. Seems that he only blinded him and Hands has been living on Treasure Island ever since waiting for the return of Silver and Hawkins. In this film, Hands is played by young Rod Taylor in his second film and under his full name of Rodney Taylor. As resourceful as Taylor makes Hands, there ain't no way I believe a blind man survived on an uninhabited island for years.
Another character is introduced here, a woman who runs a waterfront dive named Purity played by Connie Gilchrist. She has hopes of marrying the incorrigible reprobate Silver, but no such luck. Gilchrist and Newton's scenes are very cute and are more than faintly reminiscent of Wallace Beery and Marie Dressler.
The success of this film led to a TV series Long John Silver with both Newton and Gilchrist and young Kip Taylor as Jim Hawkins. It might have gone on longer than a season, but for Robert Newton's death from acute alcoholism. Read David Niven's memoir Bring on the Empty Horses for a fine account of a man much loved by friends and colleagues, but with a deadly weakness for the 'craiture' as the Irish refer to it.
Long John Silver is a film with a lot of weaknesses in plot and structure, but carried by the indomitable Robert Newton and the strength of his career role.
The Disney version of Treasure Island was a once in a lifetime mating of an actor so perfect for the role he was cast in. Robert Newton was a man who needed a firm directorial hand normally, but Long John Silver is one of those larger than life parts where the sky isn't even the limit when it comes to chewing scenery. Newton throws himself into this role just as he did in Treasure Island and again in Blackbeard the Pirate, he was put on this planet to play pirates.
This film finds Long John rescuing the Governor of Jamaica's daughter and then returning to Treasure Island for more treasure. Jim Hawkins, who apparently never went back to the UK, is also along for the ride. On Treasure Island Newton has to deal with another pirate captain named Mendoza and Israel Hands from his old crew.
Now all of us who know the story of Treasure Island know that Jim Hawkins killed Israel Hands in the story. But it turns out not to be the case. Seems that he only blinded him and Hands has been living on Treasure Island ever since waiting for the return of Silver and Hawkins. In this film, Hands is played by young Rod Taylor in his second film and under his full name of Rodney Taylor. As resourceful as Taylor makes Hands, there ain't no way I believe a blind man survived on an uninhabited island for years.
Another character is introduced here, a woman who runs a waterfront dive named Purity played by Connie Gilchrist. She has hopes of marrying the incorrigible reprobate Silver, but no such luck. Gilchrist and Newton's scenes are very cute and are more than faintly reminiscent of Wallace Beery and Marie Dressler.
The success of this film led to a TV series Long John Silver with both Newton and Gilchrist and young Kip Taylor as Jim Hawkins. It might have gone on longer than a season, but for Robert Newton's death from acute alcoholism. Read David Niven's memoir Bring on the Empty Horses for a fine account of a man much loved by friends and colleagues, but with a deadly weakness for the 'craiture' as the Irish refer to it.
Long John Silver is a film with a lot of weaknesses in plot and structure, but carried by the indomitable Robert Newton and the strength of his career role.
- bkoganbing
- Feb 27, 2007
- Permalink
Robert Newton returns once again to his famous role from TREASURE ISLAND, that of Long John Silver. Once more he chews the scenery with gusto and is just grand fun to watch in this particular role any time you can catch him.
This time Long John sets out to save young Jim Hawkins (played by Kit Taylor who sadly doesn't possess the memorable screen presence that his predecessor Bobby Driscoll put into the role) from a cutthroat pirate named "El Toro" Mendoza (Lloyd Berrell) but also added into the mix are a slightly more memorable crew of pirates following after Long John's lead and Long John's frequently comedic interactions with his main squeeze Purity Pinker (Connie Gilchrist), who has her eyes firmly set on marriage and settling down the old sea Captain. Things become truly adventurous when the band of pirates set out for a return to Treasure Island and meet up with some most unexpected surprises and obstacles along the way.
In many ways, this unofficial sequel to the classic Walt Disney film, has a more gritty, real down to Earth feel about it although it really adds little new to the mix. Still any boy who ever dreamed of pirates and searching for lost treasure should find much to enjoy here. Great fun overall, Newton is just a pure delight to watch in this entertaining, surprisingly well-written and executed boys fantasy brought to life.
This time Long John sets out to save young Jim Hawkins (played by Kit Taylor who sadly doesn't possess the memorable screen presence that his predecessor Bobby Driscoll put into the role) from a cutthroat pirate named "El Toro" Mendoza (Lloyd Berrell) but also added into the mix are a slightly more memorable crew of pirates following after Long John's lead and Long John's frequently comedic interactions with his main squeeze Purity Pinker (Connie Gilchrist), who has her eyes firmly set on marriage and settling down the old sea Captain. Things become truly adventurous when the band of pirates set out for a return to Treasure Island and meet up with some most unexpected surprises and obstacles along the way.
In many ways, this unofficial sequel to the classic Walt Disney film, has a more gritty, real down to Earth feel about it although it really adds little new to the mix. Still any boy who ever dreamed of pirates and searching for lost treasure should find much to enjoy here. Great fun overall, Newton is just a pure delight to watch in this entertaining, surprisingly well-written and executed boys fantasy brought to life.
- Space_Mafune
- Jan 20, 2008
- Permalink
- classicsoncall
- Sep 8, 2006
- Permalink
There is not much new in this sequel to "Treasure Island", which has Robert Newton return in the role of "Long John Silver" and getting involved in new adventures that nevertheless have a familiar feel to them, but it is still an entertaining movie. Made four years after the original, it has Kit Taylor replacing Bobby Driscoll as Jim Hawkins, but the relationship between the characters is still much the same. Newton is the main strength, since he captures his character very well, and he is fun to watch even when there is not a lot else going on.
The story has Long John meeting up again with Jim and with various old friends and old rivals, while carrying out his usual assortment of schemes. It all has a familiar feel to it, with some of the same settings and many of the same plot devices getting recycled, and quite a few references to events and characters from the original story.
If you enjoyed "Treasure Island", you would probably enjoy "Long John Silver" as well. Although it doesn't have much new material, it has plenty of adventure and the same kinds of scheming and counter-scheming. You could also enjoy it perfectly well, assuming that you have an interest in the genre, without having seem the first movie. The occasional links with the original are probably easy enough to figure out, from the context and/or from a passing acquaintance with the story from literature or elsewhere.
The story has Long John meeting up again with Jim and with various old friends and old rivals, while carrying out his usual assortment of schemes. It all has a familiar feel to it, with some of the same settings and many of the same plot devices getting recycled, and quite a few references to events and characters from the original story.
If you enjoyed "Treasure Island", you would probably enjoy "Long John Silver" as well. Although it doesn't have much new material, it has plenty of adventure and the same kinds of scheming and counter-scheming. You could also enjoy it perfectly well, assuming that you have an interest in the genre, without having seem the first movie. The occasional links with the original are probably easy enough to figure out, from the context and/or from a passing acquaintance with the story from literature or elsewhere.
- Snow Leopard
- Jan 16, 2006
- Permalink
Calling all fans of the one and only-well, the most famous-Long John Silver! Robert Newton is back in the sequel to Treasure Island to portray the pirate he created in 1950. His "Aaarrrrg!" returns to the big screen, as does his famous red coat, parrot, perpetually squinting face, peg-legged limp, and penchant for rum.
While Treasure Island was mostly a swashbuckling adventure, this film-sometimes referred to as Long John Silver and sometimes called Return to Treasure Island-is more of a shout out to its fans. There's quite a bit of humor in this one, with one of the side plots devoted to a romance between Robert Newton and the local pub owner, Connie Gilchrist. She wants to get married, but he's determined to escape her clutches. The main story picks up where the original left off. Long John Silver is safe on a Caribbean island, but he's asked to rescue the governor's daughter from another pirate ship, and he soon finds out his old friend Jim Hawkins-played by Kit Taylor in this version-is also being held captive on the ship. He heads to sea and takes the audience with him!
Personally, I like Treasure Island better, since the production values are higher, but this one is still pretty cute because of the humor sprinkled in among the script.
While Treasure Island was mostly a swashbuckling adventure, this film-sometimes referred to as Long John Silver and sometimes called Return to Treasure Island-is more of a shout out to its fans. There's quite a bit of humor in this one, with one of the side plots devoted to a romance between Robert Newton and the local pub owner, Connie Gilchrist. She wants to get married, but he's determined to escape her clutches. The main story picks up where the original left off. Long John Silver is safe on a Caribbean island, but he's asked to rescue the governor's daughter from another pirate ship, and he soon finds out his old friend Jim Hawkins-played by Kit Taylor in this version-is also being held captive on the ship. He heads to sea and takes the audience with him!
Personally, I like Treasure Island better, since the production values are higher, but this one is still pretty cute because of the humor sprinkled in among the script.
- HotToastyRag
- Apr 8, 2018
- Permalink
After Walt Disney's relatively well-produced version of "Treasure Island" (1950), timber-shivering Robert Newton (as "Long John Silver") returns. He is made to rescue kidnapped Kit Taylor (as Jim Hawkins) along with a damsel in distress, avoid the marriage-minded Connie Gilchrist (as Purity Pinker), and embark on a far less satisfying treasure hunt. This slight, long, and disappointing sequel rests its laurels almost entirely on Mr. Newton's top-heavy characterization. Late in the running time, young Hawkins and a vision-impaired Rodney "Rod" Taylor (as Israel Hands) give Newton a run for the money. Another "Return to Treasure Island" (also 1954), starring Tab Hunter, was even more peripheral to the original. Like Newton says, "Tis a long time since Treasure Island."
**** Long John Silver (12/16/54) Byron Haskin ~ Robert Newton, Kit Taylor, Connie Gilchrist, Rod Taylor
**** Long John Silver (12/16/54) Byron Haskin ~ Robert Newton, Kit Taylor, Connie Gilchrist, Rod Taylor
- wes-connors
- Jun 12, 2010
- Permalink
The original 1950 "Treasure Island" version is pretty well known, but most people aren't aware there's a sequel. I believe Disney did not have any involvement in this. It shows, but then again, Disney sequels aren't known for their quality. As far as I know, this isn't based on any book Robert Louis Stevenson made. Hey, my last name is Stevenson! It's more or less a retread of the original film. This is by no means awful, it's just okay. The best parts about it are easily the acting. Jim Hawkins and Long John Silver are portrayed just as well as in the original movie. While they're not given that much material, it's still entertaining to see these people again.
The film's main faults are that it isn't paced well and doesn't have much of a new story. I still like how they are trying to expand the mythology of the series. The color stands out really well, too. It seems like this movie had a really good length as well. It's just that the story isn't that interesting. My advice is just see the original, but this one is completely harmless. **1/2
The film's main faults are that it isn't paced well and doesn't have much of a new story. I still like how they are trying to expand the mythology of the series. The color stands out really well, too. It seems like this movie had a really good length as well. It's just that the story isn't that interesting. My advice is just see the original, but this one is completely harmless. **1/2
- ericstevenson
- Jun 1, 2016
- Permalink
Flavorful but overlong sequel to the Walt Disney version of TREASURE ISLAND (1950), which had given Robert Newton his trademark role of R.L. Stevenson's one-legged pirate Long John Silver; unsurprisingly, being an independent production filmed on a low budget in Australia it wasn't up to the standards of the earlier film (or the equally well-regarded 1934 MGM version with Wallace Beery as Silver), despite employing the same actor and director!
While I haven't watched the Disney or MGM films in years, the pirate lingo here and particularly Newton's hammy delivery of it got to be a bit too much after a while; besides, Kit Taylor is pretty bland as Jim Hawkins (stepping in for Bobby Driscoll) and the DeLuxe color rather unattractive and cheap-looking (though the poor-quality print I watched didn't help matters any)! Slow-starting and altogether juvenile (particularly the subplot involving Connie Gilchrist, a hearty tavern-keeper hellbent on reforming and marrying Silver!), the film picks up steam during the second half with the pirates' return to Treasure Island (where they find Israel Hands, played by Rod Taylor but I'm damned if I recognized him! still alive but now a blindman and craving Hawkins' blood), which also serves as the site of their showdown with a rival band of cutthroats, headed by a Spaniard nicknamed "El Toro". Still, it's Newton's show all the way: his scenery-chewing antics make the film bearable, and he even went on to reprise his role yet again for a TV series
While I haven't watched the Disney or MGM films in years, the pirate lingo here and particularly Newton's hammy delivery of it got to be a bit too much after a while; besides, Kit Taylor is pretty bland as Jim Hawkins (stepping in for Bobby Driscoll) and the DeLuxe color rather unattractive and cheap-looking (though the poor-quality print I watched didn't help matters any)! Slow-starting and altogether juvenile (particularly the subplot involving Connie Gilchrist, a hearty tavern-keeper hellbent on reforming and marrying Silver!), the film picks up steam during the second half with the pirates' return to Treasure Island (where they find Israel Hands, played by Rod Taylor but I'm damned if I recognized him! still alive but now a blindman and craving Hawkins' blood), which also serves as the site of their showdown with a rival band of cutthroats, headed by a Spaniard nicknamed "El Toro". Still, it's Newton's show all the way: his scenery-chewing antics make the film bearable, and he even went on to reprise his role yet again for a TV series
- Bunuel1976
- May 5, 2006
- Permalink
- jfgibson73
- Jul 14, 2012
- Permalink
This film is a great example of what happens when Hollywood hacks decide to take a classic character from literature and prostitute it for all it's worth.
So, cobble together a script full of "arrrghs" and "belays", hire a few props and stuntmen from a western and, by heck, while you're at it write in a hoedown scene to boot.
Invent a love interest for Long John Silver who has all the characteristics of a 19th century American mom.
Transport it to what looks to be the Australian bush and pretend that it's a tropical island.
The only thing going for this bucket of bilge is Robert Newton.
So, cobble together a script full of "arrrghs" and "belays", hire a few props and stuntmen from a western and, by heck, while you're at it write in a hoedown scene to boot.
Invent a love interest for Long John Silver who has all the characteristics of a 19th century American mom.
Transport it to what looks to be the Australian bush and pretend that it's a tropical island.
The only thing going for this bucket of bilge is Robert Newton.
- Socratease
- Nov 18, 2012
- Permalink
Having already played Blackbeard in Hollywood a couple of years earlier, Robert Newton travelled Down Under with director Byron Haskin to reprise his earlier star turn as Long John Silver, still searching for hidden treasure in an elaborate production in colour & 'scope that paved the way for a TV series.
Jim Hawkins seems scarcely a day older, courtesy of being played by a new young actor, Kit Taylor (son of Grant Taylor, who plays 'Patch'), while a hirsute Rod Taylor as mad, blind Israel Hands - a role previously played by Geoffrey Keen in the Disney version - makes Newton look restrained by comparison.
The scene with him and Master Jim shot on a piece of spectacular coastline near Sydney possibly confirms that the generally studio-bound look of the rest of the film probably owed more to Newton's inability by then to go out on location than budgetary constraints.
Jim Hawkins seems scarcely a day older, courtesy of being played by a new young actor, Kit Taylor (son of Grant Taylor, who plays 'Patch'), while a hirsute Rod Taylor as mad, blind Israel Hands - a role previously played by Geoffrey Keen in the Disney version - makes Newton look restrained by comparison.
The scene with him and Master Jim shot on a piece of spectacular coastline near Sydney possibly confirms that the generally studio-bound look of the rest of the film probably owed more to Newton's inability by then to go out on location than budgetary constraints.
- richardchatten
- Jun 12, 2020
- Permalink
This film essentially begins a couple of years after the events depicted in the 1950 version of "Treasure Island" with "Long John Silver" (Robert Newton) being informed that a rival pirate named "Captain 'El Toro' Mendoza" (Lloyd Berrell) has kidnapped the daughter of "Governor Henry Strong" (Harvey Adams) and is holding her for a ransom of 1000 gold sovereigns. Needless to say, the thought of getting his hands onto that much money would normally be more than enough to spur Long John Silver into action. However, when he learns that his good friend "Jim Hawkins" (Kit Taylor) was also captured his plans to free him and "Elizabeth Strong" (Thora Smith) become even more serious. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this film started off rather well but seemed to bog down about midway through with the introduction of several sub-plots. Having said that, I liked the performance of Robert Newton but even so it wasn't quite enough for me to rate this film any higher than I have. Average.
- Cristi_Ciopron
- Feb 25, 2013
- Permalink
I really did like "Treasure island" (1950) and very much wanted to enjoy this sequel featuring, as it does, the star of that film - Robert Newton - as the one legged cook/pirate and overall, all round, reprobate. This time, his young pal "Jim" (Kit Taylor) needs rescuing from the legendary pirate captain "El Toro" (Lloyd Burrell) before they can both pick up some treasure and head home to England. Of course it isn't going to be that simple, and once on the island of Hispaniola, "Silver" needs to use all his wits and guile to stay one step ahead of his rather untrustworthy crew, frequently stirred up by "Israel Hands" (Rod Taylor). There is plenty of adventure here with Newton on typically rambunctious form but the rest of the cast rather let it down, though, and the story is a pretty weak hybrid of the Robert Louis Stevenson novel with some new characters added - including a would-be spouse for our hero (Connie Gilchrist). I did enjoy it, but that might have been nostalgia: I was still a bit disappointed.
- CinemaSerf
- Jun 18, 2024
- Permalink
Long movie about the famous pirate going back to Treasure Island so he can, well, get some more treasure. Was this trip necessary? Not really, but the studio thought they could scrape in a couple more bucks by exploiting the story. They made less than they thought they would.
Robert Newton goes "Arrrrggghhh" and all that stuff while Connie Gilchrist tries to get him to marry her, in fact, she tries to incapacitate him with a stein of whole milk. It almost works. Good performance by George Simpson-Lyttle as 'Captain Asa MacDougall'. Film offers pretty costumes and lavish sets.
Colorful, but wordy, talky, and windy.
Robert Newton goes "Arrrrggghhh" and all that stuff while Connie Gilchrist tries to get him to marry her, in fact, she tries to incapacitate him with a stein of whole milk. It almost works. Good performance by George Simpson-Lyttle as 'Captain Asa MacDougall'. Film offers pretty costumes and lavish sets.
Colorful, but wordy, talky, and windy.
- tracywinters-44332
- Jul 20, 2015
- Permalink
If you have seen the '50 Disney "Treasure Island", there is little point in watching this sequel, which is more of the same, although it is available free at YouTube, in case you are tempted. After a while, I got weary of the thick lingos of Robert Newton, as Silver, and Lloyd Barrell, as Mendoza, often making it difficult to understand what they are saying. Newton, of course, was famous for his portrayal of Silver in the '50 film, and I assume also in the present film. Actually, I liked Newton's portrayal of Blackbeard("Blackbeard the Pirate") better than his Long John Silver. Like the original, this was shot in Technicolor, but in various Australian locations. The main point is the competition between Silver and Mendoza to find a second stash of Captain Flint's treasure missed on the first journey to Treasure Island, in the '50 film.......Have a number of questions pertaining to the screenplay: 1) If Israel Hands is blind, how can he be picking off Silver's men with a musket or stealthily with a knife, when they are all huddled in the stockade, then chase Jim Hawkins all over the island, before toppling off a cliff? 2)How did Mendoza's crew get off Mendoza's Island, when Silver's crew stole their ship, after being marooned by Captain MacDougall for planning a mutiny? Did they manage to use shore boats to navigate from this island to Treasure Island? 3) Why did Jim Hawkins reveal Silver's plan of mutiny to MacDougall, since he wanted to go with Silver back to Treasure Island? 4)Why was Purity so intent on marrying a lowlife such as Silver? Did she think he would agree if she insisted that he drink milk rather than rum? 5)How did the containers of gunpowder work as hand granades if they lacked fuses? 6) It's confusing to me how the treasure map and gold medallion worked together to reveal the location of the treasure.
- weezeralfalfa
- Apr 18, 2018
- Permalink