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Long John Silver

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.

  • Is it any good?

    2.0

  • Common Sense says

    Ahoy matey! Classic character, so-so sequel.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Young Jim Hawkins is, as always, virtuous and honest, always hoping that Long John Silver will reform. But the movie isn't named after Jim. Long John is a covetous scalawag who routinely double-crosses, robs, and tricks his enemies (it's a good thing that most of his enemies are worse than him). However, he does have a fatherly affection and respect for Jim. Despite the tropical settings, almost the entire cast is white -- not at all like a real pirate ship of the day.

  • Violence & scariness:

    The pirates' "cuttin' and rippin'" are bloodless swordfights, stabbings, and shootings, plus a climactic barrage with explosives. One pirate threatens to cut out the boy hero's eyes. Long John takes a fall out a window. One hanging skeleton.

  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Nothing but the obvious "for the seafood lover in you" chain-restaurant reference.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Much drinking of rum and grog among the piratical revelry.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Long John Silver

Parents need to know that this is not the classic 1950 Disney version of Treasure Island but a slow-moving non-Disney sequel, done a few years later, with the same lead pirate. Because it's ubiquitous on a number of discount public-domain video labels (some sell it under the title Long John Silver's Return to Treasure Island), picture and sound quality may be inferior. Violence consists of mainly bloodless (but occasionally fatal) stabbings and swordfights, and Long John's crew are heavily into the rum (their captain isn't, though). There is some glorification of Long John's outlaw ways, compared to the snooty aristocrats who embody virtue (a pious, Bible-quoting sort turns out to be a nasty type). One pirate -- blind, scarred, and vengeful -- may frighten smaller viewers.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about Long John Silver and his "moral code," if that's what it can be called. He's a treacherous rascal, and yet a friend and almost a surrogate father to Jim. Long John ends up acting heroically even though his own self-interest and thieving lurk behind almost his every deed. What other movie anti-heroes can you remember who are like that (besides Jack Sparrow)? Why do you think pirate movies are still so popular? Westerns feature similar outlaw types -- why do you think there aren't more Westerns being made today?
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