GamerTab That was an excellent one.

Neive Bellamy Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

Anoushka Slater While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

Billy Ollie Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

bkoganbing Anthony Quinn stars in A High Wind In Jamaica where he and first mate James Coburn preside over an unruly crew of pirates. This is a beautifully photographed film which I had a lot of problems with. It's a bit of a homage to Treasure Island with Captain Quinn bonding with several children who have been sent to the United Kingdom by their parents Nigel Davenport and Isabella Dean from Jamaica where the parents have become colonizers. It's for the kid's educations but they get quite the education when during a raid on their ship they wind up on the pirate ship.In many ways A High Wind In Jamaica is Disney like, but there are too many grim scenes for this to ever be Disney type material. And in the end those kids, especially the oldest girl do not prove to be Jim Hawkins like.I see the film got a lot of positive reviews, but I'm afraid I can't be one of them.

hugofreitasxavier Alexander Mackendrick's cut was a lot longer than the studio edit. Yet, still this holds up as a fabulous story on the redeeming power of innocence.A group of children on their way to England to get a civilized education that their parents feel is they are lacking in wild and superstitious Jamaica, when the ship they are in is assaulted by pirates.In the confusion the children end up in the pirate ship. Much to the distress of the crazy captain (Anthony Quinn still overacting much from the recently successful Zorba) and second-in-command James Coburn.If the leading actors are perfect, the children steal the show and prove once again that Mackendrick is probably one of the best children's director ever.(just out of curiosity try and spot the you writer-to-be Martin Amis among the children - curiously the less interested in acting as it turns out) Mackendrick does this with great realism: his pirates don't speak the hollywoodesc Spanglish, the scenarios are really shot on location (mostly in high sea ships). he had great problems with the studios and still it turned out a great movie.A fabulous tale of innocence and how it can change the hearts of hard men - and the movie shoes this, as the book by Richard Hughues, without falling for the sentimentalistic side of the story. It's a tough movie for it's time.What this movie could have been if the director's version could have been released. Even so, magnificent.

dodgerdawg-1 I first saw "A High Wind in Jamaica" in the late sixties one evening on late night TV. It's a compelling, realistic, well-filmed action movie with outstanding performances by Anthony Quinn and James Coburn and a fast-paced, exciting storyline. It even features a brief appearance by Gert Frobe, of "Goldfinger" fame.Despite the presence of young children and pirates, it's definitely not a children's movie. There are dark undertones and some surprisingly adult themes. Quinn and Coburn give first rate performances as pirates who inadvertently kidnap a group of British children on their way back to Great Britain from Jamaica after a storm...but this film belongs to Deborah Baxter. Her performance as the feisty Emily is absolutely mesmerizing. It's hard to imagine she only made two movies (she plays Teddy Roosevelt's daughter in "The Wind and The Lion"). Her acting seems well beyond her years. I guarantee it's a performance that will stick with you long after the final credits.I highly recommend this film.

alana-dill This movie really does deserve a revival. Given the resurgence of interest in things piratical, it's about time.It's a bit like "Lord of the Flies" but I *hated* that movie. I prefer to have a little more faith in humanity. (Silly me.) I saw High Wind on TV sometime in the 70's, but missed part of it. Oh, for a VCR. Oh, for TiVo! Not as cute and ar-harhar as most pirate movies; it's more a study of human vicissitudes than a romp. Gangs at sea. But still: pirates. Stowaways. I mostly remember the harsh seaside light, intense suspense, creaking ropes and the sense of salty wind, and some serious but not too cute little girl observing (was this about a chicken or a dead man? I can't remember.) "He's got his head on backwards!" Coburn and Anthony Quinn are grizzled and fascinating. Quinn has to be one of the most amazing, versatile actors ever. Plus, what a *man*! purr. I'd just love to see it again and fill in the blanks.