Disney's Treasure Island, released in 1950, has received criticism from a pirate history expert for its inaccuracies. The film, based on Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 book, follows the adventures of Jim Hawkins and Captain Long John Silver in their pursuit of buried treasure. While a successful early venture into pirate-themed entertainment for Disney, it falls short compared to later hits like the Pirates of the Caribbean series.
In a recent analysis, a pirate historian highlighted several inaccuracies in Treasure Island. The film's portrayal of a stereotypical pirate accent, popularized by actor Robert Newton, was deemed exaggerated and not historically accurate. Additionally, the concept of buried treasure, a common trope in pirate lore, was debunked as pirates typically sought goods for sale rather than burying treasure.
The expert rated Treasure Island a low score of two out of ten, citing its misrepresentation of pirate culture and practices. Despite its flaws, the film was well-received by critics and audiences, paving the way for Disney's foray into live-action films.
Disney's early animated successes, such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937, set the stage for the company's expansion into live-action productions. While Treasure Island marked Disney's first venture into live-action filmmaking, subsequent releases like The Story of Robin Hood and The Sword and the Rose further solidified the studio's presence in this genre.
Although Disney's animated classics remained a cornerstone of its brand, the success of Treasure Island and other live-action films laid the foundation for Disney's future endeavors in this realm. Despite its inaccuracies, Treasure Island played a significant role in shaping Disney's diverse portfolio of cinematic offerings.
