Long John Silver builds its pirate adventure around a man whose charm is useful precisely because it cannot be treated as a guarantee. Bargaining, bluff and sudden changes of allegiance give the story much of its movement. The character's physical presence can dominate a room before any weapon is used. Watch how he makes other people believe that a temporary arrangement serves their interests, and how the film balances admiration for resourcefulness with the danger of trusting it too comfortably.