Italo-Spanish version of the Robert Louis Stevenson classic tale features a relatively small role for Orson Welles as Long John Silver his voice dubbed by Robert Reitty, much less energetic than Newton was in the role, with Burfield well-cast as young Jim Hawkins and Jean Lefebvre as shipwrecked former pirate Ben Gunn going under the radar, helping Jim secure the island's treasure. Ubiquitous Spanish villain Aldo Sambrell is also on deck as Israel Hands, second in charge of the invading pirates.
Nice location cinematography, sound, stunt-work (the chase up the ship's mast features a death defying fall) and set design, the film is rated G, but seemed more than just a shade darker than a straightforward kid's film, with violence potentially too strong for younger children.
At times I thought it more reminiscent in the tone of 'Light at the Edge of the World' than a boys own adventure, but it's enjoyable as a lower budget foreign offering, and always compelling just to see what Welles does with the role. He's more cerebral than physically imposing, cunning without being outright thuggish - his crew on the other hand are a particularly rugged and ugly-looking breed, kudos to the casting and makeup departments.
Nice location cinematography, sound, stunt-work (the chase up the ship's mast features a death defying fall) and set design, the film is rated G, but seemed more than just a shade darker than a straightforward kid's film, with violence potentially too strong for younger children.
At times I thought it more reminiscent in the tone of 'Light at the Edge of the World' than a boys own adventure, but it's enjoyable as a lower budget foreign offering, and always compelling just to see what Welles does with the role. He's more cerebral than physically imposing, cunning without being outright thuggish - his crew on the other hand are a particularly rugged and ugly-looking breed, kudos to the casting and makeup departments.