15 reviews
Admittedly, it's been a long time since I saw this, and no doubt my memories are a bit rose-colored, but I loved this mini-series. The idea of doing a sequel to one of the all-time classic adventures stories was outrageous, but the filmmaker's treated the material with respect and created something that actually added to the original material. And Brian Blessed, in my opinion, will always be the definitive Long John Silver. This one should be on DVD.
- tipplerunkus
- Dec 14, 2003
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It is unfortunate that such a great series has gone unnoticed. These films are extremely entertaining and I have fond memories of them growing up in the 80s. They are getting hard to find, and I look forward to the day when they are released on DVD. In the meantime I hold dear my VHS copies! A great cast, and a great story that I can watch over and over!
No one embodies the part of Long John Silver quite like Brian Blessed did in this series. The filming locations were great, and all around the makers of this series dotted the i's and crossed the t's.
A reminder of what Disney used to be capable of: shows with deep themes and adventure, without Lizzie Mguire Clones in the cast!
No one embodies the part of Long John Silver quite like Brian Blessed did in this series. The filming locations were great, and all around the makers of this series dotted the i's and crossed the t's.
A reminder of what Disney used to be capable of: shows with deep themes and adventure, without Lizzie Mguire Clones in the cast!
- lawrencepete
- Sep 7, 2005
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Like a previous commenter, I too have looked and looked for copies of this mini-series and have even written to Disney asking for them to re-lease the series. I loved these movies when they were first aired and I taped them, but my tapes have disintegrated from use. I think this is one of the best things that Disney has ever done and I would love to have them. If you ever get the opportunity to watch them.... do! They are fantastic. The musical score is really great as well... The music is hauntingly beautiful. The actors are so well cast that it has become hard to see them in anything else and not remember their Treasure Island days. Enjoy!
- lexiesnana
- Mar 5, 2006
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This mini-series completely and utterly blows away the original movie and the new cartoon outer-space adaptation. It's eight or ten hours of pure, unadulterated fascination and excitement. The story is well-written and paced. The action scenes are believable. Jim Hawkins is well cast, but Brian Blessed as Long John Silver absolutely and completely steals the show every time he is on board. The love interests are strong and beautiful women. The locations are varied and exotic, ranging from lush Caribbean lowland jungle to Mexican desert. The script is witty and funny, yet rarely corny. It's hard to make a two hour movie this good, yet somehow Disney managed to make a ten hour mini-series that delivers right up until the very end. Like another reviewer said, it's impossible to find these shows now. If Disney makes the complete miniseries available on DVD, be sure to pick it up.
I thought that this was the most well written and suspenseful tale that Disney has ever come out with. I loved the characters and the actors were perfect in their roles. Long John Silver was absolutely fantastic!
My sister taped this off the Disney channel when it first came out and I am so glad she did. I have not been able to find it on video and so wish I could buy it, because the tapes my sister used are literally falling apart from use. This is definitely an outstanding piece of work and I commend all the people who contributed to it's creation. The actors are all exceptional and the direction was very well done. The script and story line are just brilliant. If anyone ever sees this film on sale anywhere, PLEASE let me know as soon as possible! And if you ever see it on TV or at Blockbuster, WATCH IT! I promise, it will be well worth it.
- MrBigglesworth
- Nov 18, 1999
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I watched this show as a kid and was completely fascinated with it. I had never seen a Pirate movie with such memorable actors and had such an awesome story. So much so that I could even say it affected my life and interest in Pirate lore and history. Some time after that I found out many movie rental facilities had VHS copies of this show so I pursued them diligently. Years later I finally own a complete set. Unfortunately being rentals and 20 years old they are not in the best of shape. Disney Please, Please come out with this on DVD. They just don't make shows like this any more. Brian Blessed plays a true pirate, his acting makes you wonder if he wasn't a real pirate in a former life. The settings are dead on and a lot of time and effort went into this masterpiece. Pirates Forever!
- VONFREYER-1
- Jul 30, 2005
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I was thirty-odd years old when I watched this mini-series. Despite my age I enjoyed them passionately. This production had an exceptional cast with British actors, which was befitting. I didn't tape the episodes at the time, much to my chagrin. I have often-times caught myself yearning to revisit this great adventure once again, which is I find in now way inferior to the original Treasure Island, now only fragments in my memory. But the sequel has lived with me for a long time. Now I have learned, however, from a previous comment that the series is out on DVD region 2. Which is basically Europe proper. I shall rush out tomorrow morning, first thing, and order this 3 disc set. Thanks for keeping me abreast of things. We're, most of us, children at heart, I find.
- gossamer-6
- Feb 5, 2010
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My sisters and I watch this every year. Our VHS tapes that my Mom recorded long ago are so, so worn out. I was so excited to find that they are releasing a region 2 version!!! I wish I lived in Europe!! We always go through and make a character list and assign ourselves and our friends roles to play in the movie. I used to be Isabella, but this last time I had to be Van Der Brecken. We talk about Long John all the time too. This really is one of the greatest childhood memories along with Gummi Bears. I hope they are quick in releasing a Region 1 version because I don't want to buy another DVD player. But I may have to. This is the greatest series ever and I love Jim Hawkins and Ben Gunn!!
The greatest TV mini-series ever, 10/10. People who worked on the Bond films worked on this series. A real treat to watch. What makes the series so good is great acting, good stories, and best of all a great Long John Silver in Blessed. It's a shame none of these actors really made it big. My father was a loyal Disney Treasure Island fan, and to his credit he recorded the whole 10-hour mini-series when it aired nearly 20 years ago. Since then, I've made it a tradition to watch these old tapes every summer. Unfortunately, they have depreciated since 1985. And yes, I still watch them, but some of the scenes skip and are choppy. This is like hurting one of my kids, man. I loved the series and will one day hopefully have them on DVD. I can only hope. "By the Powers" Disney start working on it!!!!!!
- sallysunrise
- Mar 3, 2009
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Probably my favorite childhood series. My sisters and I watched it over and over...I just found all of the episodes posted on youtube! It's actually just as good as I remember and watching from an adult standpoint, you understand more of the subtext of the storyline...ie, slavery, English attempts at world domination, etc, etc... Brian Blessed is genius and sorry, Johnny Depp, he blows your pirate out of the water, so to speak. He speaks pirate lingo in the most believable way. I still have a crush on Jim Hawkins, Isabella is a beauty, and the transition in landscapes keeps it fresh - from dank England to the oppressively humid Tortuga and Jamaica to the arid and dusty streets of Mexico.
- jwtrox08706
- Sep 11, 2010
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You may know that the series is available on DVD in region 2 (England). What some do not know is that there are "region free" dvd players available at very reasonable prices. I ordered the DVDs some time ago and bought a region free dvd player.... and once again enjoyed this great miniseries.
- medicinewoman54
- Dec 23, 2018
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One of my favorite childhood memories was watching this series. We at one time had this series recorded on VHS, but completely wore these tapes out. Now, I NEED the series on DVD, but to my dismay, I can not find it anyway! COME ON Disney... Release it for those of us on withdrawals and memory lane!
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