SpuffyWeb Sadly Over-hyped

Afouotos Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Ella-May O'Brien Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

Logan By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

edalweber An old newspaper description of this movie went "Robert Newton hams his way through every pirate cliché in the book." Quite true, and just what is wanted in this type of movie. This movie makes no pretense to be a documentary, or depict pirates as they really were. What was intended was to bring to life the type of story and characters you used to see in old-time kid's story books. And Robert Newton and Raoul Walsh do a superb job of this. It was intended was to make a thrilling, entertaining adventure story, and judged by that standard they succeeded wonderfully. What no one seems to have noticed, or mentioned, is what a great job Newton does in portraying a character who one minute seems to be a jolly buffoon, but can in the blink of an eye reveal himself as a cold blooded killer without the slightest trace of a conscience.Sends chill up your spine looking at the expression on his face.Blackbeard isn't really a psychotic killing for the fun of it;he doesn't do that.He always has a reason;it just doesn't bother him to slaughter anyone in cold blood when it serves his purpose. A practical man who doesn't let sentiment interfere with his plans.There is such a wonderful cast of supporting characters,all of the actors so well cast. William Bendix as the din witted mate,Skelton Knaggs as the little flunky Gilly Blackbeard tells to keep a knife on Maynard while he removes a bullet from Blackbeard, but who slips Maynard a note begging him to kill Blackbeard.And when finished Blackbeard says that he knew Gilly was praying Maynard would kill him. Really wonderful scenes in this movie. Uniformly good, judged as a simple , but superbly done kids adventure story that adults can enjoy if they will let themselves be kids again for awhile.Suspend your disbelief, forget about the historical anachronisms(Yes, Morgan and Blackbeard lived in different eras and were never partners),and enjoy yourself watching a movie depicting not how things really were but the way THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN.

Armand a really nice story. its basic virtue remains the performance of Robert Newton who creates the perfect pirate image. than, the charming couple Linda Darnell - Keith Andes and the flavor from other space, land, sensitivity. it is a classical story about treasure with the veil of romance. but it has the gift to be more than an another movie with pirates, adventures and victory of good guys. it is a not brilliant but beautiful story. the humor, the clever solutions, the fight scenes are nice and almost touching. so, more than entertainment, it is a trip in heart of a fashion and chance to admire a special actor in clothes of a legendary hero.

bkoganbing Despite the fact that Sir Henry Morgan and the infamous Edward Teach aka Blackbeard operated in different centuries and that Teach was a mere six years old when Morgan died in 1686 don't worry about historical accuracy. This is a film to be savored and enjoyed especially by those who are true devotees of ham.Robert Newton who could also restrain himself and give good performances turns off all restraint in this rollicking and colorful pirate portrayal. He blasts everyone else off the screen, not easy to do when you consider Linda Darnell's beauty and William Bendix who usually steals the films he's in.The plot such as it is has Keith Andes looking to obtain evidence that Henry Morgan is still a pirate after getting a King's pardon. Andes boards a ship that is commanded by the infamous Blackbeard, rival to Morgan. Newton has also taken as hostage Linda Darnell who is the governor's niece and her maid Irene Ryan. Morgan who is also played by another scene stealer Torin Thatcher, is real interested in Darnell and he's held at bay somewhat by Newton having her as hostage.Newton is a guy who thinks fast on his feet and is not above double crossing his own crew. That's something he does once too often as it turns out.Once seen you will absolutely never forget Newton as Blackbeard, you will be unconsciously mimicking him for weeks.

lost-in-limbo Within the 17th century a reformed pirate known as Sir Henry Morgan is given the role of governor in Jamaica and the job of ridding the ocean of Blackbeard the pirate. A young surgeon Edward Maynard believes Morgan is still a pirate and takes the assignment of becoming part of Blackbeard's crew to get his large award and hopefully take care of these two men. Blackbeard manages to kidnap Morgan's adopted daughter Edwina Mansfield, and now Maynard has his hands full if he wants to complete his mission.Arrrrrrr. I could throw around some pirate lingo, but it looks like everyone was having a jolly good time on this colourfully swashbuckling pirate romp from director Raoul Welsh. This one feels like its parodying the whole set-up and including the clichés we've come to associate with pirates. We get double-crossings, greedy intentions, gallant sword fights, a bathing beauty, treasure chests and rum to name a few. Alan LeMay's enthusiastically crackling script (off DeVallen Scott's story) covers it all and offers some clever surprises with plenty of tooting drama to boot. The romance sub-plot comes off quite stuffy though and a few plot holes do work there way in. Welsh's lively direction makes sure something is always happening and never lets it flag about with focused photography. Scenes are well delivered and vigorously active, despite that it comes across more stagy than one big adventure packed outing. Surprisingly for its time (very tame now) it can be terribly violent and vulgar in its actions and the pirates (good casting I might add) look and act truly scum. The bellowing musical score gets into the spirit and the Technicolor format brings many vibrant flushes to make-shift sets. What's most captivating is Robert Newton's bawdily fiery and over-the-top turn as Blackbeard. His probably the most memorable thing out of this and what lifts it from the average crowd. A true scene stealer, that still leaves his mark when his not even on the screen and very much influential performance for latter pirate flicks. A goofy William Bendix is equally as enjoyable in a broad sense as his first mate. Linda Darnell looks irresistibly magnetic and grand, but is not offered too much. Keith Andes is acceptable, but is very much overshadowed as Edward Maynard. Torin Thatcher, Irene Ryan and Skelton Knaggs give capable support."Blackbeard the Pirate" is far from flawless, but definitely an entertaining foray my matey.