In the mid 1990s, this miniseries was rebroadcast on the Disney Channel, and I absolutely fell in love with it. At the time, I was just a child, but I enjoyed the series very much. Each episode of this miniseries would leave me unable to wait until the next episode was broadcast. The fact that it is only available on Region 2 DVD is an outrage, if you ask me.
Anyhow, the series is well cast and well acted. You love to hate the villains and you really route for the heroes. Brian Blessed is absolutely amazing as Long John Silver. He brings such a lively enthusiasm to the role, and it is clear that he either studied the role and really knew how to play John Silver, or he is just that good of a performer. His dialogue and mannerisms as Silver are truly a treat to behold on the screen. Christopher Guard is excellent as an adult Jim Hawkins, and Ken Colley does an absolutely wonderful job playing Ben Gunn. Colley, if you are not aware, is probably better known for his role as Admiral and later Captain Piett in The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983). In this miniseries; however, I do believe he was given much more room to shine and really display his acting ability. He brings a wonderful lovable warmth to the character of Ben Gunn that just makes the series even more enjoyable to watch. Another good performance came from Reiner Schöne, who played a new pivotal character, Van Der Brecken, a Dutchman who's trade is in gathering precious wood from Mexico. Schöne does a wonderful job of playing an honest, hard-working man who has no desire to go chasing after fortune, but to earn it through honest hard work.
The series itself does a wonderful job of telling the story of the return to the island to seek the remaining portion of Flint's Treasure that was not unearthed in "Treasure Island." Along the way, we are met with very well incorporated and very sequitur discussions on issues of the time: slavery, greed and corruption to name a few. It is a very well told story of good triumphing over evil. Jim Hawkins is the ultimate hero in this story. Despite 10 years passing since his experiences chronicled in "Treasure Island," Jim has remained forthright, honest and truly a good soul, and he does so throughout the entirety of this series, despite being met with much adversity and injustice.
Ultimately, this series should be considered a modern-day classic, despite not being very well known. It is truly a gem worth more than the treasure the characters in this series seek, and I recommend it to anyone and everyone.
10/10
Anyhow, the series is well cast and well acted. You love to hate the villains and you really route for the heroes. Brian Blessed is absolutely amazing as Long John Silver. He brings such a lively enthusiasm to the role, and it is clear that he either studied the role and really knew how to play John Silver, or he is just that good of a performer. His dialogue and mannerisms as Silver are truly a treat to behold on the screen. Christopher Guard is excellent as an adult Jim Hawkins, and Ken Colley does an absolutely wonderful job playing Ben Gunn. Colley, if you are not aware, is probably better known for his role as Admiral and later Captain Piett in The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983). In this miniseries; however, I do believe he was given much more room to shine and really display his acting ability. He brings a wonderful lovable warmth to the character of Ben Gunn that just makes the series even more enjoyable to watch. Another good performance came from Reiner Schöne, who played a new pivotal character, Van Der Brecken, a Dutchman who's trade is in gathering precious wood from Mexico. Schöne does a wonderful job of playing an honest, hard-working man who has no desire to go chasing after fortune, but to earn it through honest hard work.
The series itself does a wonderful job of telling the story of the return to the island to seek the remaining portion of Flint's Treasure that was not unearthed in "Treasure Island." Along the way, we are met with very well incorporated and very sequitur discussions on issues of the time: slavery, greed and corruption to name a few. It is a very well told story of good triumphing over evil. Jim Hawkins is the ultimate hero in this story. Despite 10 years passing since his experiences chronicled in "Treasure Island," Jim has remained forthright, honest and truly a good soul, and he does so throughout the entirety of this series, despite being met with much adversity and injustice.
Ultimately, this series should be considered a modern-day classic, despite not being very well known. It is truly a gem worth more than the treasure the characters in this series seek, and I recommend it to anyone and everyone.
10/10