Treasure Island (2012 TV series)

Lore & Background

The adaptation was produced by BSkyB and first broadcast on Sky1 on 1 and 2 January 2012, with a re-release on Pick on 14 and 21 February 2013. The cast includes Eddie Izzard as Long John Silver, Toby Regbo as Jim Hawkins, and Donald Sutherland as Captain Flint, a character who does not appear in the original novel but is shown in a prologue. Elijah Wood portrays Ben Gunn as a Yankee, and David Harewood plays Billy Bones as Jamaican. Several characters were invented for this adaptation, such as Dujon (Reda Kateb) and Alibe Silver (Nina Sosanya), Silver's wife. The plot follows young Jim Hawkins discovering a treasure map and embarking on a voyage aboard the Hispaniola, where Long John Silver and his crew have their own plans.

Reader's Guide

The series received moderate critical reception, with praise for its production values and cast but criticism for changes to the original story and direction. Sam Wollaston of The Guardian criticized the alterations as unnecessary and detrimental, while Rachel Ward of The Telegraph called it 'an imaginative take' and praised Eddie Izzard's performance. The adaptation is notable for its significant departures from the source material, including the addition of new characters, altered character backgrounds, and the inclusion of Captain Flint as a physical presence. It remains a distinct interpretation of Stevenson's classic adventure tale.

Did You Know?

• Donald Sutherland appears as Captain Flint, a character only spoken of in the novel.
• Elijah Wood portrays Ben Gunn as a Yankee, though this is not specified in the book.
• The adaptation invents the character Alibe Silver, Silver's wife, played by Nina Sosanya.
• The series was re-released on Pick on 14 and 21 February 2013.