Muppet Treasure Island

A Muppet adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. The story stays largely with the book: young Jim Hawkins, working at an inn, comes into a treasure map, a ship is hired, and there are pirates among the crew. The cook Long John Silver is the man everyone trusts, which is exactly what makes him dangerous. The idea of the adaptation is that the serious side stays serious. Tim Curry plays Long John Silver and the character is genuinely threatening; the Muppets build the comedy around him without lowering the tension. Kermit is the captain, Miss Piggy a figure living on the island, and Statler and Waldorf are the ship's figureheads. The songs are one of the main materials and connect to the tradition of the sea shanty. Brian Henson directed; he is the son of Jim Henson, who created the Muppets. A full-sized ship was built for the shoot and the puppetry was done on that set. A choice both children and adults can watch, for anyone who likes family films and adaptations of classics. For a viewer looking for fidelity to the book, the narrative is shortened and some sections are turned entirely to comedy.