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From Amazon.co.uk
A fresh take on the Treasure Island book by Robert Louis Stevenson, this television mini-series boasts high production values, a stellar cast, and an awful lot of fun. It also remains quite faithful to the source material, whilst managing to carve out an identity of its own. Inevitably, the changes that it does make won’t be liked by everyone, but they’re very much in the spirit of the production.
It’s best to start with the wonderful cast. Take Eddie Izzard’s excellent, screen-gobbling take on Long John Silver. He’s in spectacular form here, joined by the likes of Elijah Wood, Philip Glenister and Donald Sutherland. And in the midst of those names is Toby Regbo, in the pivotal role of Jim Hawkins. The cast are clearly having a ball with the material, and the fun is infectious.
This Treasure Island is pitched nicely at a family audience, too, with good action, strong production design and a broad appeal. It’s far from the definitive telling of the tale, but then it doesn’t have ambitions to be. Yet you get far more from it than you’d ordinarily expect from a television mini-series, and the sheer glee of watching Eddie Izzard on top of his game is something to be cherished. Good, solid fun on a good, solid disc. --Jon Foster
Product Description
Set in the dangerous world of buccaneers, this adaptation of the much-loved Robert Louis Stevenson classic Treasure Island will take viewers on a high octane adventure following the story of Jim Hawkins as he discovers Flint’s treasure map. The two part drama follows the story of Jim Hawkins who's unexpectedly drawn into the world of piracy when he discovers Flint’s treasure map. However, Long John Silver will stop at nothing to get hold of the gold for himself. As they set sail for Treasure Island, Jim embarks on an action adventure that will change his life forever.
Starring Emmy Award winner Eddie Izzard in the role of Long John Silver, Elijah Wood as Ben Gunn and Donald Sutherland as Captain Flint, top British acting talent completing the line-up includes Phillip Glenister as play Captain Smollet, Rupert Penry-Jones (Spooks) who takes on the role of Squire Trelawney and Daniel Mays as Dr. Livesey. David Harewood takes on the role of Bones who leads Jim into the murky world of piracy and seeking Flint’s hidden treasure. Toby Regbo stars as Jim Hawkins--a gutsy, eager and courageous young lad who finds himself battling with Silver for the treasure and his life.
"Eddie Izzard shivers some impressive timbers"--Metro
"Malign, mercurial and masculine - *****"--Mail on Sunday, Live
"Brilliant"--Chris Moyles
"Everything about this adaptation is faithful and traditional"--Time Out
"Spectacular"--Daily Star
Starring Emmy Award winner Eddie Izzard in the role of Long John Silver, Elijah Wood as Ben Gunn and Donald Sutherland as Captain Flint, top British acting talent completing the line-up includes Phillip Glenister as play Captain Smollet, Rupert Penry-Jones (Spooks) who takes on the role of Squire Trelawney and Daniel Mays as Dr. Livesey. David Harewood takes on the role of Bones who leads Jim into the murky world of piracy and seeking Flint’s hidden treasure. Toby Regbo stars as Jim Hawkins--a gutsy, eager and courageous young lad who finds himself battling with Silver for the treasure and his life.
"Eddie Izzard shivers some impressive timbers"--Metro
"Malign, mercurial and masculine - *****"--Mail on Sunday, Live
"Brilliant"--Chris Moyles
"Everything about this adaptation is faithful and traditional"--Time Out
"Spectacular"--Daily Star
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
By G. Heywood
Format:DVD
After seeing this, I have mixed feelings about it. The effects and atmosphere is great and visually and audibly, pretty close to how I imagined it. The problem is, it is different from the book, and I don't find the changes an improvement. Ultimately, the question must be why? There was more than enough drama and excitement in the book to easily fill the duration but the changes they made don't add to it, but even worse, alter the dynamics.
Now, Silver doesn't have the same charisma, Hawkins doesn't have the same fortune, and Trelawney is more nasty rather than a fool. It isn't the fault of the actors, I think they do a great job (Izzard, Penry-Jones, and Mays in particular), but some of the plot changes either just don't add anything positive (overall) to the story, or actually detract from it.
Still, it is worth watching, but if they went to so much effort to produce it, why not just stick to the story?
Now, Silver doesn't have the same charisma, Hawkins doesn't have the same fortune, and Trelawney is more nasty rather than a fool. It isn't the fault of the actors, I think they do a great job (Izzard, Penry-Jones, and Mays in particular), but some of the plot changes either just don't add anything positive (overall) to the story, or actually detract from it.
Still, it is worth watching, but if they went to so much effort to produce it, why not just stick to the story?
28 of 30 people found the following review helpful
By H. Galloway
Format:DVD
It was something of a shock for me to see this adaptation. I have read the book several times as man and boy. Some of the changes were quite extreme, not just the story but the characters themselves. The book was of course originally written for young readers so it appeared that the producer an/or the screenwriter were retelling it as an adult tale. The production was generally very good with acting and photography of a high standard. For the record my preferred version is the 1989 production starring Charlton Heston as Long John Silver. It was very close to the book and Heston played Silver straight without the comic send-up characterisation of Robert Newton in the 1950 Disney version. If you choose to watch this production be prepared for considerable changes from the book and most other film versions.
27 of 30 people found the following review helpful
By Emma Wright
Format:DVD
I must be clear from the start that I am reviewing this as a television series in its own right - I have not read the book nor seen any other versions of the story, so I saw this as a separate thing all on its own.
The first thing I have to say is that I simply cannot fault the casting. Eddie Izzard in particular made a fantastic Long John Silver, playing the character in such a way that he showed the deviousness, the cleverness and the violence, yet showing us the sympathetic side, the side that simply wanted what he felt he was owed - as a viewer, I always wanted good for him, I warmed to his character and really admired him. Elijah Wood impressed me with his performance of the lone islander who hadn't had human contact for a very long time - he acted this part very believably. The rest of the cast gave brilliant performances also!
I found the plot was carried out well - I enjoyed it and was entertained. I understood everything that was happening; there were no confusing parts that led to my asking, "wait why are they doing that?!" like I have to with some other programmes. It was realistically done, ie. the settings and ship were realistic, the actors were dressed and made up in such a way that they looked dirty (down to the fingernails!), sweaty (when necessary) and very much of the time period we are looking at. Fight scenes were done very well: they weren't corny and they were visually excellent. In general there was quite a bit of gritty violence and violent talk that very much fit the feel of the show.
All in all, I don't have faults to pick - though as I said I haven't read the book, so I'm not certain what was kept in and what was left out - and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I will definitely be pre-ordering this!
The first thing I have to say is that I simply cannot fault the casting. Eddie Izzard in particular made a fantastic Long John Silver, playing the character in such a way that he showed the deviousness, the cleverness and the violence, yet showing us the sympathetic side, the side that simply wanted what he felt he was owed - as a viewer, I always wanted good for him, I warmed to his character and really admired him. Elijah Wood impressed me with his performance of the lone islander who hadn't had human contact for a very long time - he acted this part very believably. The rest of the cast gave brilliant performances also!
I found the plot was carried out well - I enjoyed it and was entertained. I understood everything that was happening; there were no confusing parts that led to my asking, "wait why are they doing that?!" like I have to with some other programmes. It was realistically done, ie. the settings and ship were realistic, the actors were dressed and made up in such a way that they looked dirty (down to the fingernails!), sweaty (when necessary) and very much of the time period we are looking at. Fight scenes were done very well: they weren't corny and they were visually excellent. In general there was quite a bit of gritty violence and violent talk that very much fit the feel of the show.
All in all, I don't have faults to pick - though as I said I haven't read the book, so I'm not certain what was kept in and what was left out - and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I will definitely be pre-ordering this!
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3.4 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mr Izzard - fab!
Excellent version of the story, well made and entertaining. Would recommend to anyone, intense performances and superb performances from all.
Published 3 days ago by abryant
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
This is not 100% true to the book, but makes enhancements on it by making the characters less 2 dimensional (this one is a goody, cheer, this one a baddy boo! Read more
Published 1 month ago by Miss
5.0 out of 5 stars
Treasure it
Nice DVD for all the family, with happy ending. Eddie Izzard was good but thought Elijah Wood character was miscast
Published 2 months ago by VFM
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fabulous
Loved this when it was shown on sky last year so bought it for my husband for christmas, Great price, didn't expect to get it on blu ray for the price. Read more
Published 2 months ago by jerseygirl
1.0 out of 5 stars
Very poor scenario
Do not buy this as the plot is totally different from the original cartoon story. Do not buy this in any shape or form
Published 2 months ago by shawn
5.0 out of 5 stars
treasure island
missed it when it was television and wanted to watch it over the holidays the oldest grandson also enjoyed it .
Published 4 months ago by babs
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wow
Eddie Izaard is so funny in this and the kids loved it, would well recommend this complete series and I hope they make another one.
Published 4 months ago by Jason Mitchell-Divers
5.0 out of 5 stars
well worth a watch
shame it was only a two parter, i would of loved to see a full series made out of this.
Published 4 months ago by jake
5.0 out of 5 stars
Treasure
Fantastic. All on 1 disk. Only moan is play all feature does not stop end and begining credits half way through. Blu ray effects stunning
Published 4 months ago by al
4.0 out of 5 stars
Worked well, but.........
Just watched this over Christmas, having read the book years ago and watched several versions including the classic 1950's Disney version.
All in all a very good series. Read more
All in all a very good series. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Kev Stock
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