One of the best animated series to come out of Britain’s animation studios during the Nineties, and one which was only exported to a handful of countries, which is a real shame. It may have played with the original story a bit, especially in the second season, but it keeps the base points about going out looking for treasure and having the adventure of a lifetime.

First thing, this is a funny animal (or anthropomorphic if you prefer – I know that some might even prefer the term furry) rendition of the tale, with Jim Hawkins portrayed as a dog and the surge of the seas Silver as a fox. Many of the hero characters are canine in general, although Jane looks more vulpine. Outside of that, the Island has been changed into a land of nightmarish dangers and magical trappings. The main points of the story, searching for the treasure and regaining the Hispanola, are present and correct, Silver is a decent threat and sometimes unlikely ally.

Perhaps the greatest departure of all from the story is that of the reinvention of Blind Pew, a one-note, bit player in the novel. In this version he is the demonic overload of the pirates who makes even the normally restraint Silver jittery. His glowing yellow eyes and disembodied raspy voice do make him one of the more creepy villains in cartoon-land. As the series progressed his connections with some kind of occult power became ever more apparent, one character, Jane, noted about how Pew’s impairments were possibly just a façade in the second season when Jim states that they were safe because they wouldn’t be seen by him, she says “I don’t think I believe that anymore”.

The plots can be a bit outlandish and darkish at times, such as the cave that turns Jim into a backward talking piece of Picasso art, but generally come under: a) raids of the pirates to get a hold of the map or b) Jim and co. following the riddle like clues printed on the map, only to be foiled at the end. Both plotlines tend towards both parties strengthening their resolves to achieving their retrospective goals. The storyline is also, mostly chronological, especially the second season. Both seasons have endings, but to say what happens would spoil it for others.

FilmFair’s animation is top notch considering that British animation generally doesn’t have the budgets that other Countries I could mention might; but of course this was a multi-million pound project and so should look the part. Excellent animation – by television standards anyway – combined with a great voice cast and more than competent writing created a series which was memorable in the less than forgiving medium of TV animation.

While it may not be the best animated series that my country has produced, it is certainly a very worthwhile one.