How others will see it. Umpteen versions of the famous story include an enactment by the Muppets (1996), but the Disney live action film (1950) gets more acclaim. The 1934 edition is also an audience winner, although mothers may find that its edges are too sharp for young children. Older kids, and adults as well, can cherish the sly performances of Beery and Barrymore, and put up with the eternal pluck of Jackie Cooper, whose favorite expression is "Bless my soul!"
How I felt about it. Since Stevenson intended Treasure Island as an adventure story for twelve year old boys, the plot is all too fixated on young Hawkins. Hawkins may be a boy, but he's quite the hero, and most assuredly will survive several brushes with death to bring home the treasure. Sneaky Long John gets his, then gets away, again with the help of Hawkins, who loves the scoundrel despite his uncharitable eagerness to kill for a larger share of treasure. This sets up a sequel which hopefully will never be made, although another adaptation is always in the works.
Hawkins has bad role models in Billy Bones and Long John Silver. But they are certainly more colorful than his alternative heroic substitute dads, Dr. Livesy (Otto Kruger) and Captain Smollett (Lewis Stone), both of whom are stiff-backed powdered wig types that seem more at home in a drawing room than on a treasure ship.
When confronted with undeniable evil behavior from his pirate idols, the incorruptible Hawkins turns to his respectable role models for help and solace. But it's certain he will soon spurn the safe but tedious aristocrats, and return to the pirates, since they offer the adventure he craves.
As for women, they hardly exist in this rendition. Hawkin's mother is the only woman in his life, and she's out of the picture after the first ten minutes. A modern version would have a pretty teenage girl added to the cast to increase audience interest, and add a few years and inches to young Hawkins. Blind Pew probably wouldn't be run over by a stagecoach, either. But we prefer our 19th century pirate tales unadulterated.