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Treasure Island (1990)
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by Turner Home Ent
Sales Rank: 1394
Price: $9.98
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A tale about a fatherless boy finding dramatically different father figures throughout a remarkable adventure, <I>Treasure Island</I> is an entertaining coming-of-age story, with themes of family, loyalty, friendship, trust, and honesty at its core. While Robert Louis Stevenson's classic adventure tale is popular film fare, it's never been done this well. Charlton Heston stars as Long John Silver and Christian Bale as plucky Jim Hawkins in this TNT production. Directed by Heston's son Fraser (who also directed the excellent family fare <I>Alaska</I>), the film remains faithful to the novel, and draws much of the spirit and excitement of the book. The action scenes are first-rate, and if the ship <I>Hispaniola</I> has never looked better or more authentic, no surprise: the ship is the original from 1962's <I>Mutiny on the Bounty</I>. The opening scenes are dark and rich, as they capture the period well, with careful attention to makeup (the teeth, the body grime!) and costuming. Oliver Reed and Christopher Lee are frighteningly effective as Capt. Billy Bones and Blind Pew, and the film's first half-hour is theirs. The tone shifts and lightens when Heston appears as the legendary pirate. Look for Pete Postlethwaite, Julian Glover, and Richard Johnson in wonderful supporting roles. The film marks Bale's segue from poignantly promising child actor (<I>Empire of the Sun</I>) to compelling teen (he would later continue to prove his talent as a versatile young actor in <I>Little Women</I> and <I>Velvet Goldmine</I>). <I>--N.F. Mendoza</I>
Viewer Reviews
This is indeed the very best film version of Robert Louis Stevenson's definitive pirate adventure ever made. Christian Bale plays the young Jim Hawkins and Charlton Heston is Long John Silver, and both are excellent. Add Christopher Lee as Blind Pew and the rest of a terrific cast including Oliver Reed, Clive Wood, and Julian Glover among the many actors that bring the story to life. Filmed on location in Jamaica and on the awesome ship Hispaniola, the scenery and cinematography are marvelous.
And the soundtrack is performed by The Cheiftains!
It is the best pirate soundtrack ever, adding great drama and realism to the proceedings, since the music seems so timely for the period.
Heston's Long John Silver is sensational, and his son Fraser's direction is action packed but not overbearing. My family has watched this movie at least 20 times, and we are wearing out our VHS tape. Please release this on DVD right away so I can buy multiple copies as gifts.
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Treasure Island (1990)
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