Hello & welcome back to Vs. Today on Vs., we are doing something that I have not done in a long time. Same character but two different portrayals. Today, I'm comparing two different portrayals of Long John Silver. From Muppet Treasure Island, Tim Curry and from Treasure Planet, Brian Murray. Now for those of you wondering why, I'm not including the original film, I haven't seen it as of yet. Now let's go over the categories, Personality (Round 1), these may be the same character but that does not seem the personality is the same. Pet (Round 2), even though these are both Silver, neither had a parrot as they changed that in both films and I'm going to take a look at both of the pets. Action (Round 3), how do they go about getting what they want. Relationship with Jim (Round 4), in my opinion, the most important aspect of Silver is his relationship with Jim Hawkins and here I am going to look at who has the better relationship with said character and then finally The Film Factor, who works better in their respective film. With that out of the way, let's begin.
Personality (Round 1)
Tim Curry
Two words: Tim Curry. Seriously, that pretty much sums up everything you need to know about Curry as Silver. He is a lot of fun in this role and hell, he's a human Muppet. So makes sense to go for him. With Curry's Silver, there is always an air of mistrust around him as the movie makes it quite clear from the beginning that he is the bad guy. Curry does have his moments of being over the top and a few subtle moments. I think one of his best moments is his song, A Professional Pirate.
This moment is so filled with cheese, that I can't picture any other actor then Tim Curry pulling it off and while it is corny, it is also threatening. God, I loved Curry in this role. This is such a fun performance and I think captures why Tim Curry was the perfect choice for this role in Muppet Treasure Island.
Brian Murray
With Murray's Silver, there is also an air of mistrust surrounding him but I don't think it is as obvious that he is the bad guy. I mean yes, if you know Treasure Island, you know Silver is the villain and Murray's Silver does have it bouts of being over the top but he is much more subtle then Curry. Both are good and both are very entertaining. It's a tough call here and even though I prefer the fact that Murray's Silver seems more trustworthy, Curry brings a lot of life to the role and for that I have to give this round to...
Tim Curry
Pet (Round 2)
Now both of these films changed Silver's pet. In Muppet Treasure Island, it was more for comedic purposes whereas for Treasure Planet, it was to fit in with the Sci-fi nature of the film. Because that film is really a mix of swashbuckling and Sci-fi. So, with that out of the way, let's begin.
Polly Lobster (Muppet Treasure Island)
Now even though, I have listed Polly as a pet. That's not entirely true. What do I mean? He's more like Iago in the sense that he is Silver's second in command. He's not the smartest but then again, none of the pirates under Silver's command in this film are no that smart but he does have a bite to him jaded and untrustworthy. A recurring theme with these pirates is them being untrustworthy. Now you'll also notice that he has a hook instead of a claw. Clever little touch and it is funny to note that originally, Polly's role was meant to be filled by a sultry female parrot. Also I love Polly's introduction.
Gonzo: I thought pirates had talking parrots as pets.
Long John Silver: Talking... parrots?
Polly Lobster: What an imagination. First pirates, now talking parrots, what's next - a singing, dancing mouse with his own amusement park?
Morph (Treasure Planet)
Okay, Morph wins. Why? Look at him, he is just so cute. Okay, unlike Polly, where he was played for laughs, Morph played up the cute angle in Sci-fi swashbuckler and I love him. The best way Morph, he is the Disney equivalent of Ditto from Pokemon as he can turn into anyone or anything he sees. Example.
Also is is just me or does Morph in his natural state look like Mr. Bubble. So yeah, Morph wins this round. Therefore this rounds goes to...
Brian Murray
Action (Round 3)
Tim Curry
With Curry's Silver as I said uptop, I really feel like it was very blatant from the get go that he was the bad guy and I don't really think the film tried to hide the motives of Curry all that well. Is that a bad thing? No and as I said, Curry as silver could be threatening but my issue here is, I feel like his actions were a wee bit predictable. Also, I know this is a Muppet movie but I kinda feel like it a cop out that Mr. Arrow didn't actually die. Maybe, it's just me with this feeling, it's not that Curry is bad as Silver because I can't picture anybody for the role in a Muppet adaption of this story.
Brian Murray
With Murray's Silver, it never felt as blatant that he was the bad guy. What do I mean? Treasure Planet kept the villainous side of Silver separate from Jim whereas in Muppet Treasure Island, we have Rizzo and Gonzo who overhear the other pirates. Not a bad decision but I prefer the fact of keeping it separate as we will get to in the next round. So for that reason, I have to give this round to Murray.
Relationship With Jim (Round 4)
This is perhaps the most important round in my opinion for the portrayal of this character.
Tim Curry
This one is tough but if I'm to be honest, I think one of the biggest downfalls of Muppet Treasure Island is that the relationship between Silver and Jim comes up short. What do I mean this? Well, the way I view their relationship in this film is two mutual friends and that's it. Not a bad thing, mind you but I want something more out of this relationship. I do feel that Jim respects Silver and that same is true Curry's Silver but at times, this relationship just felt one-sided.
Brian Murray
In my opinion, it'd almost be an insult not to give this round to Murray. Why is that? Well, this relationship takes it another step further. If you'll recall, when Les and I did our countdown of Top 6 Disney Dads, Silver came in at # 4 on my list. Because this relationship goes from friends to that of a father figure in Jim's life and it is very very clear that he cares about Jim. I mean even after he takes over the vessel and tries to get the treasure, talks to Jim about what is going to happen, when they are marooned. you can see the hurt in him that he had to betray to Jim And even better example of this was brought up in our countdown by Les, so I'll quote that.
In the end, He has to choose between the treasure he's hunted all of his life and saving Hawkins' life. He makes a father's decision and saves the boy. That's being a hero, and a good father figure.
He gave up the treasure to save Jim's life. Jim grew to mean more to him then the treasure, he'd been after for so long. So for that and that reason alone, I have to give this round to...
Brian Murray
The Film Factor (The Final Round)
Tim Curry
To be quite honest, Tim Curry steals every scene he is in, in this movie. Which is hard, when you costars are Muppets but as I said, he's a human Muppet. And he plays up the role quite well. He brings so much life to this character that he is so entertaining to watch.
Brian Murray
Murray's Silver is a bit more pulled back. Which works in this film's favor at they are taking the story more seriously and I appreciate that. So, this Silver works wonderfully in his film. He's not a scene stealer like Tim Curry but that wasn't required of this Silver. This Silver needed to be more subdued and that comes through. Hmm, this one is a tough call as both of these performances bring something great to the character of Long John Silver but I'm going to give this round to Curry for the fact that it's quite a feat to steal the spotlight from a Muppet.
Tim Curry
The End Result!
So by a score of 3 -2, Brian Murray's Long John Silver is the winner. Again, two different portrayals of the same character but both are very good. I just believe that Brian Murray's Long John Silver has more depth to him and that is perhaps the biggest reason, he won. I mean I like Tim Curry as Long John Silver just fine but there are more shortcomings with his Silver in my opinion, then there are with Murray's. Agree/disagree, let me know in the comments. Peace!
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