Dont think much of Charlton Hestons politics; but he gave a number of wonderful performances. One of the most remarkable, little known and possibly underrated, is as Long John Silver in the Turner Films (made for TV) version of Treasure Island. After a long period off the market, the film finally became available on DVD a couple of years ago. This is one of my favorite books, something I go back to every year or two for the sheer adventure of it. Heston and his son Frasier, who directed, nailed the story and the character. Its the only version Ive seen that doesnt sentimentalize Silvers relationship with Jim Hawkins: Silver is a desperate killer and turncoat throughout, as he is in the book. Other notables in the cast: Julian Glover as Dr Livesey; Richard Johnson as Trelawney; Oliver Reed as Billy Bones; Christopher Lee as Pew; Pete Postlethwaite as George Merry; and most of all a young Christian Bale as Jim Hawkins. Music by the Chieftains. They got the HMS Bounty to stand in for the Hispaniola. Well leave aside the fact that Stevenson describes her as a schooner: the scene where they raise the anchor and lower the sails is worth the price of admission.
Posted on: Sat, 02 Nov 2013 10:25:56 +0000
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