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Return to Treasure Island (TV series) facts for kids

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Disney's
Return to Treasure Island
Return to Treasure Island (DVD cover).jpg
DVD cover
Genre Adventure
Written by Robert S. Baker
Ivor Dean
John Goldsmith
Directed by Piers Haggard
Alex Kirby
Starring Brian Blessed
Christopher Guard
Reiner Schöne
Deborah Poplett
Peter Lloyd
Kenneth Colley
Dicken Ashworth
Donald Pickering
Artro Morris
Bruce Purchase
Peter Copley
Richard Beale
Morgan Shepherd
Nick Brimble
Composer(s) Tom McGuinness
Terry Oldfield
Country of origin United Kingdom
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 10
Production
Executive producer(s) Patrick Dromgoole
Producer(s) Alan Clayton
Production location(s) Glen Usk, Newport, Newport, Wales, UK
Jamaica
Tabernas, Almería, Andalucía, Spain
Cinematography Tony Impey
Editor(s) Tim Wallis
Mike Hopkins
Roger Mitchell
Geoff Shepherd
Camera setup Robin Higginson
Running time 101 minutes (per episode)
115 minutes (2 episodes)
55 minutes (6 episodes)
Production company(s) Harlech Television (HTV)
Primetime Television Ltd.
Walt Disney Pictures
Distributor Buena Vista Television
Release
Original network Disney Channel
Picture format Color
Audio format Mono
First shown in 5 July 1986 (1986-07-05) (United Kingdom)
5 June 1988 (1988-06-05) (Netherlands)

Return to Treasure Island is a 1986 TV series from Disney and HTV. It continues the famous adventure story of Treasure Island.

The show stars Brian Blessed as the pirate Long John Silver. Christopher Guard plays Jim Hawkins, and Kenneth Colley is Ben Gunn.

Disney Channel hired HTV Wales, a UK broadcaster, to make the series. It was filmed in exciting locations like Wales, Spain, and Jamaica. John Goldsmith wrote the story. Piers Haggard and Alex Kirby directed the episodes. HTV Wales had already made other TV shows based on Robert Louis Stevenson's books. These included Kidnapped (1979) and The Master of Ballantrae (1984). This experience helped Disney choose HTV to create this 10-part series.

The Story of Return to Treasure Island

The adventure begins ten years after the first Treasure Island story. Jim Hawkins has finished his studies at Oxford University. He returns home to The Admiral Benbow Inn. His mother plans a surprise party for him. Old friends like Squire Trelawney, Dr. Livesey, Captain Smollett, and Ben Gunn are there.

At the same time, Long John Silver arrives alone in a small boat. He lands on the beach at night. Squire Trelawney has been writing to Jim. He has asked Jim to manage his plantations in Jamaica. These plantations have not made money recently. Jim's mother is shocked by this news. She then sees Long John Silver at the window.

They search outside but find no one. Later that night, Silver appears in Jim's room. He demands the map of Treasure Island. Jim thinks the map is useless. But Silver believes there are many precious stones still hidden on the island. He thinks they are worth much more than the gold found before.

Jim and Silver go downstairs to get the map. Silver's helpers then show up. They want to burn the inn with everyone inside. This would get rid of all witnesses. Silver changes his mind and protects Jim. But he is later caught. He is put on trial for piracy and other serious crimes. He is found guilty and sentenced to be executed.

Jim Hawkins rides to London. He manages to get Silver's sentence changed. Instead of execution, Silver will be sent away. Jim and Silver then sail on a ship called the Saracen to the West Indies. On board, they meet Hans Van Der Brecken from Holland. They also meet Reverend Morgan and the beautiful Isabella. Isabella is the daughter of a Spanish Grandee.

During the trip, Silver breaks free from his chains. He throws the ship's cook overboard and takes his job. He then convinces the crew and other prisoners to take over the ship. They succeed, but Jim Hawkins and Van Der Brecken are against them. While they are talking, Spanish ships attack. The crew and mutineers must fight together to save themselves.

Silver takes Isabella as a hostage. He escapes in a longboat with Hawkins, Van Der Brecken, and Morgan. They row to safety. After many exciting adventures, they reach Jamaica. There, Hawkins finds out that the plantation manager is cheating Trelawney. The manager is selling molasses illegally. They also discover that the manager is working with the Governor. They plan to steal the Treasure Island map. They want to claim the remaining treasure. Many more adventures follow. Finally, everyone meets on Treasure Island for a big battle.

Episode List

  • Ep.1 - The Map
  • Ep.2 - Mutiny
  • Ep.3 - Island of the Damned
  • Ep.4 - Jamaica
  • Ep.5 - Manhunt
  • Ep.6 - The Crow's Nest
  • Ep.7 - Fugitives
  • Ep.8 - In Chains
  • Ep.9 - Spanish Gold
  • Ep.10 - Treasure Island

Music for the Series

Terry Oldfield and Tom McGuinness wrote the music for the show. Terry Oldfield had worked for the BBC before. He also played the flute on some records by his brother, Mike Oldfield.

The main theme music was released as a 7-inch single. It was a bit different from the TV version. The single also included two other songs on the B-side. These were "Isabella" and "Island of Dreams." These were longer versions of tunes heard throughout the series.

How to Watch at Home

The series first aired in 1986. Soon after, it was released on video. However, these early video versions were very short and edited. Later releases brought back the full ten-episode format.

The series did not come out on DVD until 2008. Network Releasing produced a three-disc set. It was released on May 26, 2008. The DVD version was not changed digitally. So, it looks just like it did when it first aired.

Main Cast

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