Buy This DVD Now By Clicking On The Text Link Below!
Treasure Island
Stars:
Bobby Driscoll, Robert Newton, and Basil Sydney
Writer:
Lawrence Edward Watkin
From
The Story By: Robert Louis Stevenson
Director:
Byron Haskin
Feature
length: 96 minutes
Extras:
Bonus Trailers
Languages:
English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Subtitles:
English Closed Captions
Packaging:
Alpha Keep Case
Chapter
Stops: 12
Sound:
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Year
of Theatrical Release: 1950/DVD Release: 2003
Theatrical
Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures
Home
Video Distributor: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
MPAA
Rating: PG
Reviewer:
Mark A. Rivera
After
more than a half century, Walt Disney’s live action cinematic adaptation of
Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island” remains unequalled as the
definitive cinematic adaptation of Stevenson’s story and a true classic. The
film was the first all live-action-feature film to be released theatrically by
Disney and vividly brings to life the characters of the story in such a way that
both adults and children alike can truly enjoy.
The film in my opinion is almost on par with some of Errol Flynn’s
classics like “The Sea Hawks” and “Captain Blood.” Robert Newton was so
good in the role of “Long John Silver” that he reprised the role for a
sequel produced by another studio entitled “Return To Treasure Island.”
Disney’s “Treasure Island” was a huge hit and has been restored for DVD-Video
consumers with a digitally remastered (1.33:1) aspect ratio presentation that
preserves the film’s original theatrical aspect ratio format as close as
possible for home video viewers. The DVD also has the distinction of a brand new
English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound mix and optional English Closed
Captions encoded for the hearing impaired.
Now
some of my fellow DVD reviewing colleagues have published reviews noting that
the Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Soundtrack seemed flat and that there are a few
scratches and whatnot in the film’s opening credits and occasionally in what
appears to be brief second unit stock shots, but I have to tell you all straight
that in my opinion, “Treasure Island” looks great and as far as I am
concerned the 5.1 Surround Soundtrack is full enough to enjoy. Sure it is not
state of the art, but it sounds good and is free of any analogue hissing and
crackling associated with older films. So I’m not going to nitpick this
feature presentation because regardless of what anyone says I am going to tell
you all to see this for yourself and see if you agree that while not perfect,
“Treasure Island” has certainly never looked this vibrant on home video
before.
There
are no extra value features related directly to “Treasure Island,” but all
of the nifty features in the world will not cover a bad picture and sound
transfer, lest we forget a bad film in general. Thankfully “Treasure Island”
is a great feature with a good picture transfer and sound mix and when it comes
down to it that is what counts the most to me.
Bonus
(1.85:1) trailers for “Treasure Planet”
(1:28), “Pirates Of The Caribbean” (1:15), “Finding Nemo” (2:08), and
“George Of The Jungle 2” (: 49) are accompanied by (1.33:1) trailers for
“Stitch” (: 38), “Atlantis II: Milo’s Return” (: 41), and “The Lion
King: Special Edition” (1:15) are provided and all feature full Dolby Digital
5.1 Surround Soundtracks. The menus are standard interactive still frames that
are easy to navigate.
“Treasure
Island: The Original Classic” will debut on DVD-Video on Tuesday, April 29,
2003 from Walt Disney Home Entertainment and I highly recommend this title for
anyone’s DVD library.
©
Copyright 2003 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.
Buy This DVD Now By Clicking On The Text Link Below!
Treasure Island