| “ | Easy, Jim. T'is all in good fun. Pleased I am to initiate you into our enterprising... um... company... which entitles you to all the benefits thereof. | „ |
| ~ Long John Silver to Jim Hawkins |
Long John Silver is the treacherous ship's cook and the main antagonist of Muppet Treasure Island. He was portrayed by Tim Curry.
Role
Silver befriends young Jim Hawkins, even confessing one night that when Silver was eight, his father died at sea -- "first mate he was", after Jim tells him his own father (also a first mate) died at sea when he was seven. However, Silver is actually planning a mutiny amongst the crew of the Hispaniola, so as to seek Captain Flint's treasure himself. He is a deceptively charming man at first, until he is overheard by Gonzo, Rizzo and Jim as he reveals his dastardly plans to his fellow pirates aboard the Hispanola.
During Silver's siege on Treasure Island, it is suggested that Long John Silver and Miss Piggy share a romantic history. Though he and his posse manage to find the treasure, they end up having a brawl against Hawkins and his friends. After the defeat of Silver's crew, Silver surrenders, and he and his crew are locked up in the brig to await trial for their crimes. At the end of the film, Silver makes off with whatever treasure he can in what is later revealed to be a leaky lifeboat - but not before saying a rather touching goodbye to Jim Hawkins, where he declares he could "never hurt" Jim, because he is "honest and brave and true", something he himself isn't. On Jim's tearful words, Silver rowed away and never returned.
At last, Silver's final defeat, as shown during the credits, is that he is marooned on the island, and a talking rock makes a joke to him, but Silver doesn't laugh.
Trivia
Tim Curry is also known for his memorable voicing of another famous fictional pirate.
Videos
Muppet Treasure Island - Professional Pirate