Treasure Island (1989)

What makes Davyd Cherkaskyi’s Treasure Island (1989) special is how it takes a story you think you know and tells it with a mischievous, distinctly Soviet-Ukrainian sense of play—bright, elastic animation, punchy comic timing, and a swashbuckling rhythm that never sits still. It’s adventurous in the best bedtime-story way, full of sea-spray atmosphere and larger-than-life characters, with Long John Silver coming off as charming, dangerous, and weirdly human all at once thanks to a terrific voice performance. The vibe is lively and slightly off-kilter, like a classic tale being performed by a troupe that can’t resist winking at the audience while still honoring the romance of maps, mutiny, and hidden gold. If you’re looking for a faithful, straight-faced adaptation, this may feel too cheeky, but if you want a spirited animated ride that feels both familiar and refreshingly different, it’s an easy treasure to dig up.

This Soviet Ukrainian animated Treasure Island is clearly trying to deliver a lively, kid-friendly spin on Stevenson’s adventure, with a big personality in Long John Silver and a brisk, episodic pace. The catch is that the animation style and humor can feel very “of its time” and culturally specific, so if you’re expecting Disney-level polish or a straight, serious adaptation, you may find it rough around the edges and a bit tonally odd. It also moves quickly through plot beats, which can make the story feel more like a highlight reel than a deeply immersive journey. Still, if you’re open to retro animation, theatrical voice work, and a quirky take on a familiar classic, it has enough charm to justify the trip.