Ostrov Sokrovishch

You've him all around the Internet: big nose, bigger grin, puffed up chest, strutting into a pub like he owns the place, accompanied by two cohorts. "Chad" Dr. Livesey has become not just a meme, but an icon. A real man's man. An aspiration. A vibe.

This of course has gotten people interested in the origin of this meme--a 1980s Russian animated movie adaptation of Robert Lewis Stevenson's classic novel "Treasure Island." Originally released in two parts and aired on Russian TV, the film is surprisingly an amusing and entertaining romp that one would not expect to come out of 1980s Soviet Russia.

An English-language version--renamed "Return to Treasure Island"--was released in the US on video in the early '90s, and is currently available on Tubi, but it pales in comparison to the original Russian version. For starters, as a few YouTube videos point out, Dr. Livesey's voice in the US cut isn't as jolly and cheerful as the original. Second, and most important of all, the US version cuts out all the live-action musical interludes performed by a band named Grotesque (the only Grotesque band I could find through Google was a Swedish death metal band), where they dress as pirates and sing about the dangers of drinking, smoking, greed, and not getting any exercise in between scenes. Instead, in the US version we get horrible songs, with the worst offender being "Ben Gunn's Story," which sounds like what would happen if Rogers Waters suddenly forgot how to carry a tune.

You can rent the original Russian version is available on Soviet Movies Online for just $4, although you have to watch it within 24 hours or else you'll have to pay extra. But trust me, it's $4 well spent!

This picture uses animation mixed with several video clips featuring live actors. "Ostrov" is a spectacular and unique piece of animation, using progressive imagery and comics-like style. Movie is packed with intense music and is half-parody/comedy, half-screening of the R.L. Stevenson's "Treasure Island", also with parts of musical. It's also completely unforgettable thanks to voices of Armen Dzhigarkhanyan and Viktor Andriyenko. If you know Russian, you got to see this movie to know the mock style of it, because you can't see anything similar to "Ostrov" anywhere. If you are Russian and haven't seen it, I only wonder. 10/10

This cartoon is unique in its structure: a strip of animation is followed by a video clip, then again goes animation, then - a music video, etc. No computer effects are used (in animation strips) - everything is drawn by hand. The impression of the drawings and videos is very rough - it seems that you feel sand between your teeth. Those dark unshaved pirates are making dreadful smiles, they point big guns at you, they play electric guitars and perform rock compositions. Have you seen a pirate with a Mohawk? It's here, too. But it must be so.

This cartoon is the perfect adaptation of Stevenson. It concerns real men (brutal strength is essential) and ambiguously funny situations. For many Russians it is one of the favourite cartoons ever. Its atmosphere ("kick-'em-all" plus "don't-be-a-greedy-sob-like-pirates") is one unstoppable crusher. This cartoon can be described as a train of non-stop gags spiced by a large portion of great (not just good, but really great - in music and in words) songs. The songs make very solid statements about smoking, drinking, and being greedy.

For any boy to watch this cartoon is a must. It is for all audiences, but has a rocketing satire combined with healthy childish humour. Maybe, girls will dislike it. No surprise: it has no female characters (with an exception of a few seconds dedicated to some Donna in the window and the presence of females in one music video about physical training - that's all), it has too many fights (gunfights, fistfights, trunkfights, rapierfights, and even some cool martial arts sequences), it also has tons of gin being consumed, and thousands of cigars being smoked. The pirates, who are drunk and constantly smoking, are being punched, kicked, stabbed, thrown into the sea from the cliffs, and so on. But don't be fooled: this animation can teach you a lesson or two, or even a dozen. Does, for instance, "Finding Nemo" has a chance to beat "Ostrov Sokrovishch"? No, it does not (my opinion, of course). This Russian cartoon has faded colours (in its original version) but it has a big heart and a rushing pace. There is music enough to be an attractive material for two CD albums while the voices of the characters are the best choice ever in the history of animation. Does anybody have a chance to fall asleep while watching "Ostrov Sokrovishch"? It's easier to die than that. The cause of death will be a super attack on one's sense of humour and on all other senses (if there are some, of course).

Personally, cannot wait for re-watching it again. If Mr Stevenson were alive, he would be hopping with happiness and joy. Why so? Reply: excellent interpretation of the book. After this cartoon all films and animation features with similar "pirates" topic seem to be dull and unimaginative.

All has been said: an astounding 10. Thank you for attention.

I was immediately impressed with the drawings. Talented artists gave a certain style to the Pirates, people, & animals that catches your eye & holds your attention. Very cool, fresh, & modern! But unfortunately the brilliant animation is wasted with poor dialog & a dull story. I could almost watch this with the sound off because the characters are so funny looking! The problem is there's so much dumb stuff that isn't funny. For example the main Pirate can't say one sentence without sneezing these ridiculous sneezes that blow people up in the air, turning somersaults, & flying across the room. He keeps sneezing & blowing holes in walls & it's just not funny. It's annoying to hear him keep interrupting himself with the same dumb sneezing routine. It got old fast. This could've been a 10 with a better story.

Honestly I grew up with this movie which is weird since I was born in 2005 in America but still it was a movie that I still treasure to this day. It is an amazing movie that I love.