Solemplex
To me, this movie is perfection.
Greenes
Please don't spend money on this.
Smartorhypo
Highly Overrated But Still Good
Scarlet
The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.
vlevensonnd-1
This is an entertaining and fun older movie! The acting is in the typical 'over the top' Hollywood form, such as in the Ten Commandments (That Yul Brenner and Charlton Heston were also in), but it's enjoyable and it kept me engaged. If you are looking for something historically accurate, this will not be what you are looking for. It is apparent that the writer sympathizes with the Pirate Lafitte. He definitely romanticizes him,and holds him nearly blameless in this story. In all actuality, there are many areas of Lafitte's life that remain a complete mystery. I liked the bits of humor added into the story, especially by the characters played by Heston's side-kick, and Brenner's side-kick. The colors, clothing, props, battle scene, are all visually attractive, and of course, Yul Brenner is as mesmerizing as ever! This movie most likely isn't going to be one of your top 10 all-time favorite movies, but it definitely doesn't belong in the 'rotten tomatoes' list, either. I'd say it's definitely above average!
Wayner50
Charlton Heston is undoubtedly the best thing in this picture. A meandering script, dubious romantic liaisons and average acting come close to sinking "The Buccaneer". Yul is Jean La Fitte, the title role. His performance is all over the map, going from tough to lethargic, to mercurial, to wistfully patriotic. Charles Boyer plays himself portraying the roguish General Dominique You, late of Napoleon's army, is pretty good, Mickey Shaughnessy is good as a comic sidekick to the boss and Clare Bloom and Inger Stevens provide love interest. The battle of New Orleans is the centerpiece of the film and is reasonably well staged, considering it's obviously filmed on a sound stage. History is shown here as the pirates help the American army and militia turn back the British. Chuck is Andrew Jackson, and it's been pointed out several times, Chuck looks like they used his picture for the twenty. Typical Technicolor '50's epic, not bad but not great either.
NOTACLERK1
I am afraid it was a movie that you have to ACTUALLY WATCH to get anything out of it.I t is not a mindless movie like ....."LEATHAL WEAPON PART 58" you know the one where Riggs is really crazy? it is not a movie that is pretty much the same at the end as it is a the beginning. you can run everywhere talk on the phone do what ever and enjoy it in any way.I have noticed in the past that most people that do not like this type of movie are the type that will do most anything but watch a movie and then slam it because .....duh they don't get it or understand it or what happened.DON'T LET YOUR DOGGY TAKE A SHOWER!!!
nevoy
If you're at all interested in pirates, pirate movies, New Orleans/early 19th century American history, or Yul Brynner, see this film for yourself and make up your own mind about it. Don't be put off by various lacklustre reviews. My reaction to it was that it is entertaining, well acted (for the most part), has some very witty dialogue, and that it does an excellent job of portraying the charm, appeal and legendary fascination of the privateer Jean Lafitte. While not all the events in the film are historically accurate (can you show me any historical film that succeeds in this?), I feel the film is accurate in its treatment of the role Lafitte played in New Orleans' history, and the love-hate relationship between the "respectable" citizens of New Orleans and this outlaw who was one of the city's favorite sons. Don't worry about what the film doesn't do, but watch it for what it does do, i.e., for its study of one of New Orleans', and America's, most intriguing historical figures.
