Treasure Island

History and Review Written by Michael J. Ruhland

Year Released: 1950
Michael's Movie Grade:B+

                                                      History
Treasure Island was the first Disney film, not to feature any animation. While Disney had made 2 live action films earlier, both of those films had some animation in them. In fact Walt had originally thought of doing this film as an animated feature, but he quickly realized he did not need any animation.

Disney films had be doing quite well in Britain, but the government did not allow the money they made over there to be spent in the U.S. Partly because of this Walt decided to make some of his studio's live action films over in Britain. So this entire film was shot over in Britain. However this brought a unique problem. Disney live action regular Bobby Driscoll was cast to play Jim Hawkins. However he could only get a three month work permit in Britain. So all of his scenes had to be shot first, and out of order. His main co-actor would be British actor Robert Newton, and he would do something quite important with his role as Long John Silver. He is often credited with creating the stereotypical pirate speech for this film. So anyone who has jokingly talked like a pirate has this film to thank.

As Disney had not yet found a regular live action director, this film again would be directed by someone who had never worked at Disney before or after. This director would be a man named Byron Haskin. Bryon Haskin had previously worked not only as a director (I Walk Alone), but also as a cinematographer (Across the Pacific, Black Fury), and a special effects man (The Roaring Twenties, All This and Heaven Too, High Sierra). As you can see from this he had already worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, on some great movies before this film. He would later direct a sequel film to Treasure Island, called Long John Silver, released 5 years later. Interestingly this film would not be made at Disney but for Treasure Island Pictures Pty. Ltd., a studio that made only that one film. It would also star Robert Newton as Long John Silver. Because this movie was being filmed in Britain, Walt would have less to do with this this film than ever before. Because of this Haskin had more freedom than any Disney director had before him had (except of course Walt on some of the shorts he directed himself).

Treasure Island while not one of Disney's greatest hits, did make money at the box office. The critics did pan it for taking to many liberates with the novel, but today it is considered one of the closet adaptions of the book.

                                                             Review
Possibly the best film adaption of Treasure Island. While it does lag at times, it is filled with enough truly excellent moments to more than make up for that.

Treasure Island features many moments full of great film making. F.A. Young's cinematography and the work of all those who worked on the sets are particularly great, and add much to nearly every scene. Haskin was a great choice for director. What really makes this film work is the seriousness and intensity the material is treated with. While there is nothing inappropriate for kids, there are quite a few scenes that can be quite shocking and intense, that may surprise those who just view Disney films as just sugar coated escapism. These scenes are completely gripping and would alone make this film worth watching.

Just as great is the film versions of Jim Hawkins and Long John Silver. These characters are extremely vivid and memorable, and often steal the scenes they are in. These great characterizations are achieved though both Lawrence Edward Watkin's script and the performances of Bobby Driscoll and Robert Newton. Unfortunately though the other characters are not as memorable as these two, and often times feel underdeveloped. While not boring we never feel like we truly know them.

Overall this is a great adaption of Treasure Island, and a great film in it's own right. A very well made film and a great beginning for Disney films without animation.

                                                    Film Credits

Director: Bryon Haskin

Based on the book by Robert Louis Stevenson

Writer: Lawrence Edward Watkin

Cast: Bobby Driscoll (Jim Hawkins), Robert Newton (Long John Silver), Basil Sydney (Captain Smollett), Walter Fitzgerald (Squire Trelawney), Denis O'Dea (Dr. Livesy), Finlay Currie (Capt. Billy Bones), Ralph Truman (George Merry), Geoffrey Keen (Israel Hands), Geoffrey Wilkinson (Ben Gunn), John Laurie (Blind Pew), Francis De Wolff (Black Dog), David Davies (Mr. Arrow), John Gregson (Redruth), Andrew Blackett (Gray), William Devlin (Morgan), Howard Douglas (Williams), Harry Locke (Haggott), Sam Kydd (Cady), Stephen Jack (Job), Harold Jamieson (Scully), Diarmuid Kelly (Bolen), Reginald Drummond (Vane), Gordon Mulholland (Durgin), Patrick Troughton (Roach), Jim O'Brady (Wolfe), Chris Adcock (Pike), Tom Lucas (Upson), Leo Phillips (Spotts), Eddie Moran (Bart), Bob Head (Tardy), Ken Buckle (Joyce), Paddy Brannigan (Hunter), Jack Arrow (Norton), Freddy Clark (Bray)

Producers: Perce Pearce, Walt Disney, Herbert Smith

Music: Clifton Parker

Cinematography: F. A. Young

Editor: Alan Jaggs

Production Design: Thomas N. Morahan

Costume Design: Sheila Graham

Casting: Maude Spector

Assistant Directors: Mark Evans, George Fowler, Gordon Heaver, Pat MacDonnell, David W. Orton

Makeup Department: Tony Sforzini, Vivienne Walker, R.L. Alexander, Olga Angelinetta, Gladys Atkinson, Sarah Beber, Gene Beck, Frances Dobson, Betty Dymore, Vera Franklin, Eddie Knight, Ann Morley, Alice Piper, Nora Ridgeway, Geoffrey Rodway, Grace Spellacey, Pearl Tipaldi, Sidney Turner, Joan White, Joyce Wood

Production Managers: Douglas Peirce, Fred Leahy

Art Department: Len Banks, W. Evans, R.H. Gillard, Bert Jempson, Norman Lloyd, Basil Mannin, Bill Nason, Bert Norman, M. Quick, J. Ralph, Fred Richards, W. Searle, George Smith, F. Stannard, Pat Ward, R. Wingfield, Wally Young

Sound Department: Kenneth Heeley-Ray, Geoffrey Daniels, Peter Davies, David Hildyard, Anthony J. Kay, Jack Locke, Austin Partridge

Camera Department: L. Cave-Chinn, Skeets Kelly, Stanley W. Sayer, Harry Baker, Frank Bellingham, Tom Gardner, Arthur Ibbetson, Bob Kindred, Frank Kingston, William Leach, Don Lewis, George Pink , Derek Whitehurst

Costume Department: Fred Birch, Bert Brown, Fred Pridmore

Assistant Editors: Dennis Gurney, Dennis Sawyer, Charles Squires

                                            Resources Used
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043067/?ref_=rvi_tt
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/2009/12/treasure-island-1950.html
The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin

-Michael J. Ruhland