Figure 1.-- Jim Hawkins in this Americam 1990 version was reasonably played by Christian Bale. He is about 14 or 15, however, and thus a bit too old for Jim. Nor does he convey the charisma of Jackie Cooper or Bobby Driscoll. The costumes are well done.

This American 1990 version was a reasonably done remake with Charlton Heston playing believable Long John. However it is a bit unsettling seeing "Moses" playing a pirate. Lots of action well woven into the film. Jim Hawkins is reasonably played by Christian Bale. He is about 14 or 15, however, and thus a bit too old for Jim. Nor does he convey the charisma of Jackie Cooper or Bobby Driscoll. The costumes are well done..

Filmology

I think this this American 1990 version was a made for television production.

Robert Louis Stevenson

Robert Louis (Balfour) Stephenson was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. His crative career was shortened by ill health. He had nted accomplishmentts as a novelist, poet, and travel writer. He contracted tuberculosis as a child. His family was noted for constructing famous lighthouses. A lighthouse was of grear importance before modern navigaional methods and radio communication. He at first worked as a lighthouse designer, but then turned to the law, although he never actually worked as a lawyer. He lived in Bourmouth, England where he wrote some of his famous stories. He finally moved to Samoa for his health and for a time lived on a plantation. Of course during all this he wrote his great works. plantation owner in Samoa, all this in addition to his literary career. His first great success was Treasure Island which he wrote in 1882. It is perhaps his best known book. In it the boy character battles pirates. His next book was kidnapped in which another boy character David Balfour's attempts to gain his rightful inheritance. David is Scottish so he perhaps should be on a list of Scottish chracters. Stephenson is of course also remembered for his wonderful poems in A Child's Garden of Versus. He married Fanny Osbourne, an American, who was a great support to him and his work.

The Book

Robert Louis Stevenson's Treaure Island is the most famous swashbuckling pirate tale ever written. It is the odyssey of English boy Jim Hawkins and his thrilling adventures on the high seas. Jim may have been the first English boy introduced to generations of American boys. The book was set in the 18th century. Jim is the hero of the book and his adventure with murderous pirates is a thrilling tale. It is Jim who finds the map and eventually saves everyone from the pirates. After many adventures on Treasure Island he returns to England with the treasure. Treasure Island was written in 1882 and was Stephenson's first major literary success. It was a marvelous yarn involving piracy, buried treasure, and adventure on the high seas. There have been many printings and several film versions. The original title was The Sea-Cook.

Cast

Charlton Heston played a believable Long John. However it is a bit unsettling seeing "Moses" playing a pirate. Jim Hawkins is reasonably played by Christian Bale. He is about 14 or 15, however, and thus a bit too old for Jim. Nor does he convey the charisma of Jackie Cooper or Bobby Driscoll.

Plot

I do not know how faithfully this version followed the book.

Costuming

The 18th cebtury costuming I have noted in the film seem reasonably accurate.

Assessment

This was a reasonably done remake. Lots of action well woven into the film. I can't see, however, that it added anything to the telling of the story not offered by the earlier versions.

Created: August 14, 2004
Last updated: August 14, 2004