Return to Treasure Island (TV series)

Last updated

Return to Treasure Island
Return to Treasure Island (DVD cover).jpg
DVD cover
GenreAdventure
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
Composers Tom McGuinness
Terry Oldfield
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes10
Production
Executive producerPatrick Dromgoole
ProducerAlan Clayton
Production locationsGlen Usk, Newport, Newport, Wales, UK
Jamaica
Tabernas, Almería, Andalucía, Spain
CinematographyTony Impey
EditorsTim Wallis
Mike Hopkins
Roger Mitchell
Geoff Shepherd
Camera setupRobin Higginson
Running time101 minutes (per episode)
115 minutes (2 episodes)
55 minutes (6 episodes)
Production companies Harlech Television (HTV)
Primetime Television Ltd.
Walt Disney Pictures
Original release
Network ITV (United Kingdom)
The Disney Channel (United States)
Release5 July (1986-07-05) 
23 August 1986 (1986-08-23)

Return to Treasure Island is a 1986 Disney HTV TV series, starring Brian Blessed as Long John Silver, Christopher Guard as Jim Hawkins and Kenneth Colley as Ben Gunn.

Contents

Disney Channel contracted the UK ITV broadcaster HTV Wales, part of Harlech Television Group, to produce the series, and it was shot in Wales, Spain and Jamaica. It was written by John Goldsmith, and directed by Piers Haggard and Alex Kirby. HTV Wales had already produced other Robert Louis Stevenson books for television, namely Kidnapped in 1979 and The Master of Ballantrae in 1984 and producer Patrick Dromgoole would go on to helm Treasure Island . Their expertise in making these productions was used when Disney chose to work with HTV to produce a series, in 10 parts.

Plot

The story begins 10 years after the original Treasure Island adventure. Jim Hawkins returns home to The Admiral Benbow Inn after graduating at Oxford University. His mother has laid on a surprise party, including as guests his old friends, Squire Trelawney, Dr Livesey, Captain Smollett and Ben Gunn. At the same time, a small rowing boat is beached at night with its only occupant, Long John Silver. Trelawney has been communicating with Jim Hawkins during his time at Oxford, and has appointed him agent to his plantations in Jamaica because of their failure to make any profits in the last year. Trelawny's announcement of Jim's impending departure shocks Hawkins mother. She reels, and catches sight of John Silver at the window. A search of the area reveals nothing, but later that night Silver appears in Jim's bedroom and demands the map of Treasure Island. Hawkins thinks it's worthless, but Silver believes that a hoard of precious stones is still buried on the island, worth four times the gold previously found. They go downstairs to retrieve the map. Silver's accomplices appear and want to burn the inn to the ground, with everybody inside, to eliminate all witnesses. Silver changes sides to protect Jim, but he is later caught and put on trial for piracy and murder. He is convicted and sentenced to death. Hawkins rides to London and gets the sentence commuted to transportation. He and Silver sail on the Saracen to the West Indies. On board, they meet Dutchman Hans Van Der Brecken, Reverend Morgan and the beautiful Isabella, daughter of the Grandee of Spain.

During the voyage, Silver escapes his shackles, throws the sea cook overboard and claims the position for himself. He then persuades the crew and other captives to commit mutiny and they take the ship, only to find that Hawkins and Van Der Brecken are against them. During their parley, the Spanish attack the ship. The crew and mutineers must fight together to save themselves. Silver takes Isabella hostage and confiscates a long boat with Hawkins, Van Der Brecken, and Morgan on board and they row to safety. After many adventures, they arrive on Jamaica. There, Hawkins discovers that the plantation manager is defrauding Trelawney by selling molasses on the black market. They also discover that he is in league with the Governor to steal the map of Treasure Island and claim the treasure that is left there. Many adventures follow which culminate in everybody converging on Treasure Island for a final battle.

Episode list

Production notes

The script was developed over a long period: Ivor Dean played Silver in the successful 1966 miniseries Treasure Island and wanted to continue this with a sequel miniseries. Together with writer Robert S. Baker, he developed a story, but it had to be shelved after Deans death in 1974. It was ultimately adapted into this miniseries.

The final close-ups of Long John Silver rowing away from Jim Hawkins' ship and revealing that he had stolen all the diamonds from the treasure casket (inside a secret compartment of his crutch) were filmed on the roof of HTV's Pontcanna Studio (since demolished) in Cardiff.[ citation needed ]

The tall ship Kaskelot was used for the filming of the series. [1]

Music

Music for the series was composed by Terry Oldfield and Tom McGuinness. [2] Oldfield had produced work for the BBC previously as well as appearing on a number of his brother's Mike Oldfield records, playing the flute. The theme music was released on 7-inch single, though slightly different from the television version. Also included were two tracks on Side B, "Isabella" and "Island of Dreams". These were extended versions on the single of themes which re-occur throughout the series.

Home media

The series was aired in 1986 and shortly afterwards, was released on video. However, the format was very much edited but later releases returned to the full ten-episode format. The series did not appear on DVD until Network Releasing produced a three-disc set which was released on 26 May 2008. It was not digitally reworked, so it retains its original appearance. [3]

Cast

Related Research Articles

<i>Treasure Island</i> Novel by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson

Treasure Island is an adventure novel by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, telling a story of "buccaneers and buried gold". It is considered a coming-of-age story and is noted for its atmosphere, characters, and action.

<i>The Legends of Treasure Island</i> British TV series or programme

The Legends of Treasure Island is a British animated television series. It had two series of 13 episodes each and each episode runs for 22–25 minutes.

<i>Treasure Island</i> (1972 film) 1972 live-action film adaption of Treasure Island

Treasure Island is a 1972 adventure film, based on the 1883 novel by Robert Louis Stevenson. The film stars Orson Welles as Long John Silver, Kim Burfield as Jim Hawkins, Walter Slezak as Squire Trelawney, Rik Battaglia as Captain Smollett, and Ángel del Pozo as Doctor Livesey.

<i>Treasure Island</i> (1934 film) 1934 film

Treasure Island is a 1934 film directed by Victor Fleming and starring Wallace Beery, Jackie Cooper, Lionel Barrymore, Lewis Stone, and Nigel Bruce. It is an adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's famous 1883 novel of the same name. Jim Hawkins discovers a treasure map and travels on a sailing ship to a remote island, but pirates led by Long John Silver threaten to take away the honest seafarers’ riches and lives.

<i>Treasure Island</i> (1950 film) 1950 film by Byron Haskin

Treasure Island is a 1950 adventure film produced by RKO-Walt Disney British Productions, adapted from Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 novel of the same name. Directed by Byron Haskin, it stars Bobby Driscoll as Jim Hawkins and Robert Newton as Long John Silver. Treasure Island was Disney's first completely live-action film and the first screen version of Treasure Island made in color. It was filmed in the United Kingdom on location and at Denham Film Studios, Buckinghamshire.

<i>Treasure Island</i> (1990 film) 1990 television film by Fraser Clarke Heston

Treasure Island is a 1990 British-American made-for-television film adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1883 novel of the same name, written and directed by Fraser Clarke Heston, and also starring several notable British actors, including Christian Bale, Oliver Reed, Christopher Lee, Julian Glover and Pete Postlethwaite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dr. Livesey</span> Character from Stevensons Treasure Island

Dr. David Livesey is a fictional character from the 1883 novel Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. As well as doctor, he is a magistrate, an important man in the rural society of southwest England, where the story opens; his social position is marked by his always wearing a white wig—even in the harsh conditions of the island on which the adventure takes place.

<i>Treasure Island</i> (1988 film) 1988 Soviet cartoon film

Treasure Island is a Soviet two-part live-action/animated adventure comedy television film adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's novel Treasure Island (1883). It was created by order of the USSR's state television company by the studio Kievnauchfilm. It is mostly traditional animation with some live action sequences, which are largely but not entirely separate.

<i>Treasure Island</i> (1973 film) 1973 animated film directed by Hal Sutherland

Treasure Island is a 1973 American animated adventure film directed by Hal Sutherland, produced by Filmation, and released by Warner Bros. In this adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 novel of the same name, Jim Hawkins travels with sidekick Hiccup the Mouse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Squire Trelawney</span> Fictional character

Squire John Trelawney is a supporting character from Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 novel Treasure Island.

<i>Treasure Island</i> (1920 film) 1920 film by Maurice Tourneur

Treasure Island is a 1920 silent film adaptation of the 1883 novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, directed by Maurice Tourneur, and released by Paramount Pictures. Lon Chaney played two different pirate roles in this production, "Blind Pew" and "Merry", and stills exist showing him in both makeups. Charles Ogle, who had played Frankenstein's Monster in the first filmed version of Frankenstein a decade earlier at Edison Studios, portrayed Long John Silver. Wallace Beery was supposed to play Israel Hands, but that role went to Joseph Singleton instead. The film was chosen as one of the Top Forty Pictures of the Year by the National Board of Review.

<i>Treasure Island</i> (1999 film) 1999 film by Peter Rowe

Treasure Island is a 1999 film adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 novel. It was written and directed by Peter Rowe and stars Kevin Zegers as Jim Hawkins and Jack Palance as Long John Silver.

<i>Treasure Island</i> (1977 TV series) 1977 television series

Treasure Island is a 1977 television adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's famous 1883 novel. It was filmed in 1977 on location in Plymouth and Dartmouth (Devon), and in Corsica, and also at BBC Television Centre at Wood Lane, London.

Ben Gunn (<i>Treasure Island</i>) Fictional character

Benjamin "Ben" Gunn is a fictional character in the 1883 novel Treasure Island by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Captain Alexander Smollett</span> Fictional character

Captain Alexander Smollett is the fictional captain of the schooner Hispaniola in Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 novel Treasure Island. He plays an important part in disciplining the main characters on the ship as the story progresses, and helps the protagonists survive against the pirates later on.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Hawkins (character)</span> Fictional character

Jim Hawkins is a fictional character and the protagonist in Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 novel Treasure Island. He is both the protagonist and main narrator of the story.

<i>Pirates of Treasure Island</i> 2006 American film

Pirates of Treasure Island is a 2006 American comedy-drama film produced by The Asylum, loosely adapted from Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 novel Treasure Island.

<i>Treasure Island</i> (1978 TV series) 1978 anime

Treasure Island is a Japanese anime television series that aired in 1978 and 1979 in Japan and in the mid-1980s in Europe, Mexico, South America & Arab World countries, based on Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 novel of the same name. In 2013, the 1987 movie compilation was dubbed in English by Bang Zoom! Entertainment and available on the North American Hulu, but has since been removed. However, as of early 2016, TMS has made the compilation movie available to watch on YouTube for free.

<i>Treasure Island in Outer Space</i> 1987 television miniseries

Treasure Island in Outer Space is a 1987 Italian science fiction television miniseries directed by Antonio Margheriti.

<i>Treasure Island</i> (2012 TV series) British TV series or program

Treasure Island is a two-part British television drama adaptation of the novel Treasure Island (1883) by Robert Louis Stevenson. The screenplay was written by Stewart Harcourt, produced by Laurie Borg and directed by Steve Barron. It was made by BSkyB and first shown in the United Kingdom on Sky1 on 1 & 2 January 2012. It was re-released a year later on Pick on the 14 February 2013 and 21 February 2013.

References

  1. Clarke, Malcolm; Iggulden, David (1988). Sailing Home: a pictorial record of the First Fleet Re-enactment voyage. North Ryde, NSW: Angus and Robertson. p. 19. ISBN   978-0207159657. OCLC   21041747.
  2. "John Silver's Return to Treasure Island Part 1 The Map (1986)". BFI. Archived from the original on 10 September 2017.
  3. Interview with Roger Mitchell, one of the series' assistant editors.