TREASURE ISLAND

(1970), Color, 84 minutes
distributed by Trans-International Films

This obscure version of TREASURE ISLAND is a nicely mounted adventure film, with gorgeous photography and lavish production design.

There’s a lyrical score, with a groovy rock-based theme song, and a rousing rendition of “Yo Ho Ho…”

The only flaw seems to be the strange dubbing, especially by kooky old Ben Gunn, and the odd, pseudo-English accents sported by almost everyone.

It is highly episodic, as one might expect from a heavily condensed TV series. Perhaps because of this, it certainly does not drag, and is in fact, quite well-paced.

Young Jim likes to run around alot without a shirt, and there is some blood and mild gore, making this assuredly a modern telling of the tale.

The ending, however, is highly condensed, somewhat choppy, ultimately confusing. Still, this comes across as a highly entertaining adventure film.

-Rob Craig

color, fullscreen, mono, 83 minutes. DVD-R comes packaged as shown in color DVD case, wrapped in plastic!