Treasure Island (1977 TV series)

Treasure Island
DVD cover
Based onTreasure Island
by Robert Louis Stevenson
Screenplay byJohn Lucarotti
Directed byMichael E. Briant
StarringAlfred Burke
Ashley Knight
Jack Watson
David Collings
Anthony Bate
Thorley Walters
Roy Boyd
Patrick Troughton
Paul Copley
ComposerCarl Davis
Country of origin
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes4
Original release
Release16 October (1977-10-16) –
6 November 1977 (1977-11-06)

Treasure Island is a 1977 television adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's 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.

Plot

Jim Hawkins discovers a treasure map and embarks on a journey to find the treasure, but pirates led by Long John Silver have plans to take the treasure for themselves by way of mutiny. This four-episode adaptation by John Lucarotti, while particularly faithful to the original, adds an expanded narrative concerning the declining Daniel Hawkins, as well as clarifying Squire Trelawney's naiveté in trusting Blandly and Silver.

This takes place in the first episode; Billy Bones tempts Jim's father into arranging a two-man treasure voyage, the corrupt shipping agent Ezra Blandly guesses their intentions and tips off Silver, who hoodwinks and then cruelly tortures the information out of a hapless alcoholic Mr Arrow. Billy Bones plans founder, and Hawkins snr catches pneumonia in the rain, which finishes him.

Cast