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!

To avoid repeating the previous reviewer's, I will tell you my personal story about this movie. In the final song there is a verse line that goes like : "that's why the spectator loves this wonderful genre, our soul healer and balm for wounds". When I watched this movie at 15, although it became one of my favourite cartoons, I considered this line too pretentious. Because I treated this movie as low genre: all kind of fights, an unstopping succession of gags, known however to every schoolboy, hilarious music, lot's of humour and parody... Now it happened so, that I'm a 37 years old man have re-watched it, and, oh, really, it acted on me really like "balm for wounds". I watched the first scenes with bitter scepticism, but, very soon I discovered that I can not stop. What's the secret of this movie ? Don't know. But what I can say for sure, there is no another such movie. 10 of 10.

Most of us are familiar with American animation and Japanese animation. There's still something to be said for Russian animation which most people know little about, including myself. It was just great to see something so bright and colorful from a foreign country not known for cartoons! I managed to watch a subtitled version of this. This is mostly a retelling of "Treasure Island". I've seen most versions and even read the original book. While it's technically less faithful than other versions, I really do think this is the best movie adaptation ever! It's mostly because of how beautiful the animation is.

Every country really does have their own unique animation style. This stood out as being wonderfully cartoonish. This was released the same year as "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" and it features animation and live-action! It's only briefly near the beginning that they're both on screen at the same time. The live-action bits are mostly just sprinkled throughout the film as short segments. It doesn't make them any less good! I thought that these actors were wearing masks because their makeup seemed too goofy to be real. Now that shows dedication! There's tons of great comedy in this version too.

The funniest bit might be when the one guy breaks the wall of the house down. We get to see all the classic characters just the way they should be represented. This is probably the most awesome version of Jim Hawkins I've ever seen. It's great how he's such a strong fighter in this. While the movie is still very goofy, Long John Silver is as good as ever. I just love the strong voices (the original Russian version) used and how they suit the characters so well. There's so much movement going on too. Please try to check out this great under-appreciated film! It should be on the Top 250 as it has over a thousand votes. ***1/2

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.

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