Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

People today have so much access to film. I believe we have become a bit jaded as our opinions become harsh and unpleasant. I got to see this movie when I was in elementary school. We all wanted to be Jim Hawkins, going away on an ocean voyage to an island with a buried treasure and a dangerous history. And then there is Blind Pew and Long John Silver (the prototype created by Robert Newton) and the black spot. Jim is a boy, but he must be a man in order to waylay the actions of the villains. I had never seen the Wallace Beery presentation, but this one stands well above that one. Walt Disney had the clout and the creativity and the foresight to bring these wonderful adventures to the screen.

" FIRE THAT MUSKET! AND I CUTS HIS THRRROAT! "One of the best Technicolor films and probably the best pirate film ever made, Disney's timeless production of Treasure Island hits on all marks and is just as watchable today as it was in 1950. I'd say it's the supremely excellent casting that's the single most important reason why this movie is so good. Robert Newton's iconic performance as Long John Silver never fails to light up the screen and his sidekick, the precocious youth Jim Hawkins (the only American in the cast) is charismatically played by a young Bobby Driscoll; plus several other seasoned English stage actors in varying roles, I say "actors" exclusively, because most unusually, there isn't a single female role in the entire movie. Special mention must be made of the great performances of Long Johns pirate crew, especially surly cut-throats like "George Mary" and "Israel Hands, master mariner for hire" often on the verge of mutiny, some real colorful and salty seamen form the ranks of Captain Long John's posse. But it's Robert Newton's portrayal of Long John Silver that steals the show, in every scene he's in, a superlatively amazing and over-the-top performance. Words fail to sum up just how awesome and entertaining his performance is. Thrilling stuff indeed.Is their anyone who really doesn't know the plot to this story??? Well for those of you who don't (how is that possible) all the hints you need lay within the two words that form it's title. Once on the island you're likely to find yourself chuckling from the ramblings and antics of Old Ben Gunn, a mangy, silver-haired, goat-skin wearing marooned-loon of a man, who "Many's a night I drreeamed of cheese... toasted mostly". This guy's a riot, while making the most of his brief screen-time, watch him run about fleet-footed over the sand dunes and through the tropical foliage, often accompanied by tinkering xylophones, Old Ben Gunn proves to be the zaniest of side-character's. With comic relief aside, rest assured there is plenty of action, bloodshed and treachery with musket's firing and sabre's flashing - cannon fire too. Along with the usual weapons, this movie is armed to the teeth with something else, that being Pirate Slang; the movie is literally swimming in it, practically every single character that has a speaking role has some old-timey sailors slang in their vocabulary, especially Long John Silver he really lay's it on thick and it's a total pleasure to hear all these colorful old sayings, that you don't hear anywhere else. Anyway, as it comes as no surprise the good guys inevitably prevail in the end, in a volley of musket-fire and they find what they were looking for on TREASURE Island, marking the end of an infinitely entertaining, virtually flawless Technicolor adventure film. One of the best films of the year 1950, just maybe thee best.I believe this movie was filmed entirely in various locales in and around merry old England, if so they did an extremely convincing job of projecting the look of a tropical island. Treasure Island maybe not be a super-production by today's standards, but none the less, Walt dropped a sizeable pile of doubloons into this film and I think it shows, boasting consistently strong production values and a rousing musical score by Clifton Parker (newly recorded and available on Chandos Records for those interested). I've seen a few other..... attempts, at this quintessential pirate's tale over the years (MGM's 1934 version and the lifeless Charlton Heston version from 1990) and compared to this one, they all pretty much suck. The resounding excellence that Disney was able to achieve in 1950 has yet to be matched, let alone bettered and proves without a doubt, that this production of Treasure Island is THE definitive version of this classic tale.This classic film got the 1950's off to a great start, it was the 1950's that produced more classic nautical films than any other era. In the end, for a 66 year-old G-Rated Disney production, this movie is PIRATICAL TO THE CORE.Now if only Disney would get off their duff's and give the world the Hi-Def Blu-ray release this movie deserves.

Treasure Island (1950): Dir: Byron Haskin / Cast: Bobby Driscoll, Robert Newton, Walter Fitzgerald, Denis O'Dea, Basil Sydney: Extraordinary family adventure that seems to symbolize or reference friendship. Young Jim Hawkins possesses the map to a treasure and is captained by Flint and accompanied by Dr. Livesey and legendary Long John Silver, the one-legged pirate. What is curious is the relationship between Hawkins and Silver that is boarded upon betrayal and regret. Director Byron Haskin is backed by great production and lavish island footage with suspense aboard the ship as conflict issues. It contains much action to ignite the imagination of its intended audience. Robert Newton is the ideal Silver, both ruthless yet endearing as he spares Hawkins. Bobby Driscoll plays the young resourceful Hawkins who witnesses much and will understand sacrifice and the value of friendship. Among other roles are Walter Fitzgerald as Squire and Denis O'Dea as Dr. Livesey. They both accompany Hawkins and become involve in seeking treasure and survival. Basil Sydney is cast as Captain Smollet who will lead the quest at hand. It is almost a character study when Silver's motives are examined. At one end he is a criminal of selfish means but his handling of Hawkins proves that perhaps he is not totally cruel. The final scene is joyous and rewarding. Score: 10 / 10

The 1950 version of "Treasure Island" is in many ways an inferior telling of the classic tale. The characters are more like caricatures of the original Stevenson crew. While Newton's Silver will forever impact the depiction of the classic pirate, the remaining cast constantly hams it up with over the top performances (Newton included). The plot is never allowed to simply unfold, but instead is constantly being explained to the audience. The characters not only take an action but immediately explain what they have just done (e.g. Silver choosing the crew, the incident with the rum, and many more). In addition many of the plot changes (e.g. Dr. Livesy giving the map to Hawkins prior to his seizing of the Hispaniola, and Silver threatening to kill the hostage Jim completely out of character!) only convolute the story. All in all, this ruins the magic of the original story, most of which is due a sense of mystery and unknowing: why did the heroes willingly surrender the map? When will Israel Hand strike? All of this is lost in a plot line which can simply be described as impatient. For a superior film, please see the 1934 MGM release. This classic version is much more true to the original novel, both in plot, atmosphere, and characters. Beery's customary off-hand delivery creates a more scheming and duplicitous Silver.