Long John Silver (1954) | Directed by Byron Haskin

Long John Silver is an adventure film that serves as a sequel to Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island." The story follows the cunning pirate Long John Silver, who, after the events of the original tale, learns that his former shipmate, Jim Hawkins, has been kidnapped by a rival pirate, Captain Mendoza. Silver embarks on a daring mission to rescue Jim and uncover more treasure, facing perilous challenges and treacherous adversaries along the way.

Genre: Adventure

Director: Byron Haskin

Byron Haskin was an American film director and special effects artist, born in 1899. He began his career in the early days of cinema, working on visual effects for films like "The War of the Worlds" (1953). Transitioning to directing, Haskin helmed various adventure and science fiction films, including Disney's "Treasure Island" (1950), where he first collaborated with Robert Newton as Long John Silver. Haskin's expertise in visual storytelling made him a notable figure in mid-20th-century cinema.

Star Cast:
- Robert Newton as Long John Silver
- Kit Taylor as Jim Hawkins
- Connie Gilchrist as Purity Pinker
- Lloyd Berrell as Captain Mendoza
- Grant Taylor as Patch
- Rod Taylor as Israel Hands

Upon its release, "Long John Silver" received mixed reviews. Audiences appreciated Robert Newton's charismatic reprisal of the titular role, which had become iconic since his portrayal in Disney's "Treasure Island." However, critics noted that the film's plot lacked the depth and excitement of its predecessor. Despite these critiques, the film gained a following, particularly among fans of pirate adventures, and led to a television series continuation.

Fun Facts:
- Robert Newton's portrayal of Long John Silver is credited with popularizing the stereotypical pirate accent, characterized by rolling "r"s and phrases like "Arrr, matey!"
- The film was shot in Australia, primarily at Sydney's Pagewood Studios, marking one of the earliest international film productions in the country.
- Following the movie, a 26-episode television series titled "The Adventures of Long John Silver" was produced, with Newton reprising his role.
- This film marked one of the early screen appearances of Rod Taylor, who would later become a prominent Hollywood actor, known for films like "The Time Machine" (1960) and "The Birds" (1963).

* This Rumble Movie Channel is comprehensively indexed on https://kinoquick.com - find you favourite movies fast & free! Subscribe to this channel to be notified of daily movie updates.