Captain Alexander Smollett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Captain Alexander Smollett |
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| Treasure Island character | |
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Captain Smollet Defies the Mutineers illustration by N. C. Wyeth for 1911 edition.
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| Created by | Robert Louis Stevenson |
| Information | |
| Species | Human |
| Gender | Male |
| Occupation | Sea captain |
| Title | Captain |
| Nationality | English |
Captain Alexander Smollett is a brave and strict character from Robert Louis Stevenson's famous adventure novel, Treasure Island. He is the captain of the ship called the Hispaniola. In the story, he helps keep the main characters safe and organized, especially when they face dangerous pirates.
Captain Smollett's Adventures
When you first meet Captain Smollett in the book, he seems very strict. He often finds problems with things and is hard to please. But he quickly shows that something is wrong on the ship.
In a talk with Jim Hawkins, Dr. Livesey, and Squire Trelawney, he hints that a mutiny is coming. A mutiny is when the crew rebels against their captain. This mutiny is led by Long John Silver, a clever pirate with one leg.
When the Hispaniola reaches its destination, the pirates rebel. Captain Smollett quickly helps the loyal crew escape the ship. They go to the island and find a safe place called a stockade.
The next day, Captain Smollett tries to talk with Long John Silver. But they cannot agree because Silver is very proud and Smollett is stubborn. Smollett even admits he made Silver angry on purpose. He thought a fight was going to happen anyway, so it was better to fight while they were ready.
After the failed talk, Smollett organizes the defense of the stockade. During the battle, he gets shot twice. But his injuries are not too bad, and he keeps going. Near the end of the story, he and the loyal crew sail back to Bristol with lots of treasure. After this adventure, he stops being a sailor.
Captain Smollett is very important to the story. People often remember him for his strong personality. He believes strongly in doing his duty and expects everyone to follow his orders exactly. If someone doesn't do their job, he gets very angry. For example, he gets upset when the Doctor and Squire Trelawney leave their posts.
However, he also praises those who do well. He rewards Abraham Gray, a pirate who switches sides, for staying loyal.
Captain Smollett in Movies and TV
Captain Smollett has appeared in many movies and TV shows based on Treasure Island. Here are some of them:
- Buddy Messinger played him in the 1918 movie.
- Harry Holden was Captain Smollett in the 1920 movie.
- Lewis Stone played him in the 1934 movie.
- Basil Sydney was Captain Smollett in the 1950 Disney live-action movie.
- Rik Battaglia played him in the 1972 live-action movie.
- Richard Beale was Captain Smollett in the 1977 TV series.
- Konstantin Grigoriev played him in the 1982 movie.
- Klaus Löwitsch was Captain Smollett in the 1987 outer space version.
- In the 1996 Disney Muppets movie, Muppet Treasure Island, the character is called Captain Abraham Smollett. He is played by Kermit the Frog. In this version, he has a bigger and kinder role. He is also the former fiancé of Benjamina Gunn (Miss Piggy).
- Malcolm Stoddard played him in the 1999 movie.
- In the 2002 Disney film Treasure Planet, Captain Smollett is replaced by Captain Amelia. She is a female cat-like alien voiced by Emma Thompson.
- In the 2006 movie Pirates of Treasure Island by The Asylum, he is shown as a French trader.
- Philip Glenister played him in the 2012 TV series.
