Return to Treasure Island (TV series)

Did You Know?

• The theme music was released on 7-inch single, slightly different from the television version, with two tracks on Side B: 'Isabella' and 'Island of Dreams'.
• The series did not appear on DVD until Network Releasing produced a three-disc set on 26 May 2008, which was not digitally reworked.
• Music for the series was composed by Terry Oldfield and Tom McGuinness; Terry Oldfield played flutes on records by his younger brother Mike Oldfield.

Plot

The story begins ten years after the original Treasure Island adventure. Jim Hawkins returns home to The Admiral Benbow Inn after graduating from Oxford University. His mother has arranged a surprise party with his old friends Squire Trelawney, Dr Livesey, Captain Smollett, and Ben Gunn. That same night, Long John Silver arrives by rowing boat. Trelawney has appointed Jim as agent to his Jamaican plantations due to their lack of profit. Jim's mother is shocked by his impending departure and spots Silver at the window. A search finds nothing, but Silver later appears in Jim's bedroom demanding the map of Treasure Island, believing a hoard of precious stones worth four times the gold remains buried. They retrieve the map downstairs. Silver's accomplices want to burn the inn with everyone inside, but Silver switches sides to protect Jim. He is later tried for piracy and murder, convicted, and sentenced to death. Hawkins rides to London and gets the sentence commuted to transportation. They sail on the Saracen to the West Indies with Dutchman Hans Van Der Brecken, Reverend Morgan, and Isabella, daughter of the Grandee of Spain. During the voyage, Silver escapes his shackles, throws the sea cook overboard, and claims the position. He persuades the crew and captives to mutiny, but Hawkins and Van Der Brecken oppose them. During a parley, the Spanish attack. The crew and mutineers fight together to survive. Silver takes Isabella hostage and confiscates a long boat with Hawkins, Van Der Brecken, and Morgan, and they row to safety. After many adventures they reach Jamaica, where Hawkins discovers the plantation manager is defrauding Trelawney by selling molasses on the black market and is in league with the Governor to steal the map and the remaining treasure. Many adventures follow, culminating in everyone converging on Treasure Island for a final battle.

Production notes

The script was developed over a long period. Ivor Dean played Silver in the 1966 miniseries Treasure Island and wanted to continue with a sequel miniseries. He developed a story with writer Robert S. Baker, but it was shelved after Dean's death in 1974. It was ultimately adapted into this miniseries. The final close-ups of Long John Silver rowing away and revealing he had stolen all the diamonds from the treasure casket inside a secret compartment of his crutch were filmed on the roof of HTV's Pontcanna Studio in Cardiff. The tall ship Kaskelot was used for filming.