There have been so many adaptations of Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel Treasure Island that there could be a strong case for overkill. There are so many other books that have a case for being put on by Sky over the New Year period, some that have been written in the last ten years and that beg to be filmed. However none would have the star quality that greeted viewers over the 2012 New Year’s day viewing

Treasure Island starred the ever impressive Eddie Izzard as the eponymous Long John Silver in a portrayal that hinted at the dark menace that readers will associate with the long loved book but also with a subtle mixture of humour that lies behind the actor’s eyes. Alongside Mr. Izzard was a cast so unashamedly good it put almost every other drama over Christmas and New Year in the shade. How many other shows can boast Spooks and Whitechapel star Rupert Penry-Jones as such an un-likeable and money chasing Squire? How many programmes can have Life on Mars hero Philip Glenister within its ranks and still have room for Hollywood A-listers such as Donald Sutherland and Elijah Wood alongside and in Elijah’s case playing the meatiest and interesting role since Lord of the Rings?

For anybody who has seen the abundance of films and remakes over the years it’s possible to see the current offering as one of the most credible, the most entertaining and definitely the most cinematographic offering to hit either the big screen or television. The feel and pace of the programme was more or less in keeping with the ideal and far removed from the days when shows like this were given a run over 20 odd weeks.

The feeling of loneliness and abandonment was captured throughout; firstly on the desolate moors of Devon and Cornwall, and onto the close confines of the ship and finally through to the thrilling conclusion on the island where the position of the Doctor, played with generous spirit by Daniel Mays, and the Squire were seen to reverse. The portrayal of money and riches obsessed Squire was a world away from anything audiences have come to see in the acting of Rupert Penry-Jones. If this is what the man is truly capable of as an actor it can only be hoped that he gets roles like this in the future.

Treasure Island may have started life as a boy’s book of adventures but it may just be the shot in the arm that novels and stories of this quality can expect in the future. A diet of reality television churned out with nauseating regular consistency may finally be at an end!