Treasure Island (1950 film) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Treasure Island
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Byron Haskin
Produced by	Walt Disney Perce Pearce
Written by	Lawrence Edward Watkin
Starring	Bobby Driscoll Robert Newton Basil Sydney Finlay Currie
Music by	Clifton Parker
Cinematography	Freddie Young
Editing by	Alan Jaggs
Studio	Walt Disney Productions
Distributed by	RKO Radio Pictures
Release date(s)	June 22, 1950 (1950-06-22) (World Premiere-London) July 29, 1950 (1950-07-29) (US)
Running time	96 minutes
Country	United States United Kingdom
Language	English
Budget	$1,800,000
Money made	$4,100,000 (worldwide rentals)

Treasure Island is an exciting live-action adventure film from 1950. It was made by Walt Disney Productions. The movie is based on the famous 1883 book of the same name by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Byron Haskin directed the film. It stars Bobby Driscoll as the young hero, Jim Hawkins. The famous pirate, Long John Silver, is played by Robert Newton.

This movie was special because it was Disney's first film made entirely with real actors, not cartoons. It was also the first time the story of Treasure Island was shown in color on the big screen! The film was shot in England, both in real outdoor places and at Denham Film Studios.

The Story of Treasure Island

The adventure begins in 1765 on the west coast of England. A young boy named Jim Hawkins lives with his mother. They run a small country inn. One day, a sick old sailor named Captain William Bones stays at their inn. He has a secret treasure map.

After Captain Bones is visited by some scary pirates, he gives Jim the map. He asks Jim for help. Soon after, Bones dies. Jim shows the map to Squire Trelawney and Dr. Livesey. Squire Trelawney realizes it's a map to the lost treasure of the famous pirate, Captain Flint!

Squire Trelawney decides to fund a trip to find the treasure. He hires Captain Smollett and his ship, the Hispaniola. Dr. Livesey joins as the ship's doctor, and Jim becomes the cabin boy.

Before they leave, Squire Trelawney meets Long John Silver. Silver is a one-legged innkeeper. He agrees to help find a crew for the ship. Silver quickly becomes friends with Jim. He joins the trip as the ship's cook.

Captain Smollett worries about the crew. He tells Trelawney that everyone seems to know about their secret treasure hunt.

Trouble at Sea

While at sea, Silver tricks the first mate, Mr. Arrow. Mr. Arrow then mysteriously disappears. Jim soon overhears Silver and his crew planning a mutiny! He discovers that many of the sailors Silver hired are actually Captain Flint's old pirates.

Jim quickly tells Captain Smollett about the pirates' plan. Smollett asks Jim to keep acting friendly with Silver. This way, Jim can learn more about their evil plans.

When they reach Treasure Island, Silver offers to move the ship to a safer spot. He uses two small boats. But while they are moving, one of Silver's men, Merry, starts the mutiny on the ship! Captain Smollett, who was warned by Jim, manages to stop them with his loyal men. He locks the mutineers below deck.

Silver cuts the small boats from the Hispaniola. He heads for shore with his men, taking Jim as a hostage. Smollett, Trelawney, and Livesey follow them ashore. They leave two guards on the ship.

Exploring the Island

On the island, Jim escapes from Silver. He meets Ben Gunn. Ben Gunn is a sailor who was left on the island by Captain Flint five years ago. Gunn shows Jim a small boat he built. Then, he leads Jim to Flint's old fort, where Jim reunites with Smollett and the others.

Meanwhile, Merry escapes from the ship. He takes control of the Hispaniola and raises the pirate flag, the Jolly Roger. Silver returns to the Hispaniola. He gives his men guns and plans to attack the fort.

Silver tries to make a deal with Captain Smollett, but Smollett refuses. Silver then orders his men to attack the fort. The attack fails, but Silver injures Captain Smollett. Smollett realizes that Silver could move the Hispaniola closer at high tide. Then, he could use the ship's cannons to destroy their fort.

Jim's Brave Actions

Jim bravely takes Ben Gunn's small boat. He goes to the Hispaniola and cuts the ship's anchor rope. The pirate Israel Hands discovers Jim. He chases Jim up the ship's ropes. Hands hurts Jim's arm with a throwing knife. But Jim uses his small gun to defend himself, and Hands falls into the sea.

The Hispaniola runs aground (gets stuck on the shore). Jim takes down the pirate flag and raises the British flag. Jim's arm is badly hurt and gets infected. It takes him all night to get back to the fort. He finds it unguarded.

Inside, Jim looks for the doctor. But the person sleeping under Dr. Livesey's coat is Long John Silver! Jim collapses from exhaustion and his wound. Silver finds the map on Jim as his men wake up. Merry wants to harm Jim, but Silver says he wants to trade Jim for the map. The pirates believe the map is with Smollett.

The men go outside to vote, pirate-style. From the fort's lookout, Silver sees that the ship is stuck and flying the British flag. He realizes Smollett's group has recaptured the ship. The other pirates give Silver the "black spot" (a sign of doom), but he refuses to accept it. They let him talk with Dr. Livesey, who has come to treat Jim's infected arm.

The Treasure Hunt

Silver secretly makes a deal with Dr. Livesey. He asks for mercy in court. He accidentally tells Livesey that he no longer controls the ship. Livesey agrees to help Silver only because Jim refuses to escape without Silver. Jim feels Silver saved his life.

Livesey leaves. Silver returns with Jim, showing off the map. He convinces his men that his deal was successful. The pirates are overjoyed! They take back the black spot. Then, they begin a very difficult treasure hunt.

When they finally reach the spot where the treasure is supposed to be buried, they find an empty pit! There is only one gold coin left. The pirates turn on Silver. Silver bravely fights off some of the pirates before Smollett's men arrive to defeat the rest.

Ben Gunn then reveals that he had already dug up Captain Flint's treasure! He hid it in a cave.

Silver's Escape

Even though Silver kept his part of the deal, Captain Smollett still wants him taken back to England for trial. Jim, Trelawney, and two others take Silver to the Hispaniola in a small boat. They load a few chests of treasure into the boat.

Silver quickly grabs Jim's small gun. He forces Trelawney and the others out of the boat. But he makes Jim stay to steer him out of the cove. Jim cleverly beaches the boat on a sandbar. Silver orders him to push the boat off at gunpoint, but Jim bravely refuses.

Silver can't bring himself to shoot Jim. He drops the gun in the water. He tries to push the boat off by himself. Seeing Silver struggle, Jim helps him. Jim waves goodbye as Silver rows away with some treasure. Silver waves back, and the adventure ends.

Main Characters

• Bobby Driscoll as Jim Hawkins
• Robert Newton as Long John Silver
• Basil Sydney as Captain Smollett
• Walter Fitzgerald as Squire Trelawney
• Denis O'Dea as Dr. Livesey
• Finlay Currie as Capt. Billy Bones
• Ralph Truman as George Merry
• Geoffrey Keen as Israel Hands
• Geoffrey Wilkinson as Ben Gunn
• John Laurie as Blind Pew
• Francis de Wolff as Black Dog
• David Davies as Mr. Arrow
• John Gregson as Redruth
• Andrew Blackett as Gray
• William Devlin as Morgan
• Howard Douglas as Williams
• Harry Locke as Haggott
• Sam Kydd as Cady
• Stephen Jack as Job
• Harold Jamieson as Scully
• Diarmuid Kelly as Bolen
• Patrick Troughton as Roach

Filming Locations

Many outdoor scenes were filmed in beautiful parts of England. These include:

• Cornwall (like the River Fal, Falmouth, Carrick Roads, Gull Rick, and Helford River)
• Devon (for scenes with cliffs)
• Bristol (for the wharf scenes)
• Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire

The indoor scenes were filmed at Denham Film Studios in Denham, Buckinghamshire.

Comic Book Fun

The story of the Treasure Island movie was also made into a comic book!

• Dell Four Color #624 (April 1955)

See also

In Spanish: La isla del tesoro (película de 1950) para niños