- NOTE: This article is about the incarnation of Long John Silver from the 1996 film. The mainstream version can be found here: Long John Silver.
| “ | 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 ship's manipulative and treacherous cook and the main antagonist of Muppet Treasure Island.
He was portrayed by Tim Curry, who also played Drake, Thaddeus E. Klang, Ben Ravencroft, Pennywise, Taurus Bulba, Hexxus, Maestro Forte, General Von Talon, El Malefico, Kilokahn, and Professor Calamitous.
Role in the film
Silver befriends young Jim Hawkins. One night, after Silver asks Jim how old he was when his father died, Jim replies, “Seven”. Silver is touched by the revelation, and says, “I were eight when my father died at sea. First mate, he was.”
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. 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 rows away, never to return.
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.
Videos
Trivia
- Tim Curry is also known for his memorable voicing of another famous fictional pirate.
- Tim Curry also made his appearance in Muppet Treasure Island CD-ROM by Activision in which he guides the player in the game.
