Blackbeard, the Pirate (1952) User Reviews (41)

Lively pirate fest

[cutter-12 · 7/10 · 19 March 2006]

Hollywood turned out dozens of pirate adventures in its heyday, most, such as The Black Swan, The Spanish Main, Captain Kidd etc etc, were flat and routine swashbucklers that lacked the kind of acting presence, story, and edge that made MGM's 1934 version of Treasure Island, and Warner's Captain Blood from 1935 standards of the genre. The pirate movie throughout the 40's, much like the western, was in need of something fresh.

In 1950, Robert Newton made a stalwart impression as Long John Silver in the British remake of Treasure Island, released through Disney. Though the film was not nearly as good as the '34 MGM version, Newton managed to surpass the performance of Wallace Beery's Silver, which was no easy feat as Beery was exceptional in that role.

Coming off of that success, RKO paired Newton with hit and miss director Raoul Walsh to make Blackbeard the Pirate. Newton's performance in the title role was even better than his turn in Treasure Island - a definitive portrayal of the pirate captain that continues to predominate the genre. Not a single actor from Wallace Beery to Victor McLaglen to Charles Laughton to Peter Ustinov to Dustin Hoffman to even Geoffrey Rush and Johnny Depp have managed to usurp the pure overbearing sea scenery chewing double-dealing rapscallion that is Robert Newton as Blackbeard. His performance, as brutal as it is humorous, is a joy to behold, and elevates the film to a higher level.

The film itself is not as routine as one might expect either. There is a plot going on here (albeit not exactly an airtight one), and some fine supporting performances from William Bendix (always watchable), Linda Darnell, and Keith Andes, a mostly forgotten actor who apparently could do it all in show business from sing and dance to swordfight. His cutlass battles in Blackbeard are of Flynn/Rathbone quality, but actually remind one more of the kind of swordfighting seen in Lester's The Three Musketeers 20 years later. For a film made in 1952, there is a surprising amount of gore in this as well.

Not a great story, but a good one, and entertaining throughout. Everything you'd expect from a 50's adventure on the high seas is delivered here - action, romance, blood and treachery. One of the best pirate movies of all time.

Adventures on the high seas.

[lost-in-limbo · 6/10 · 13 March 2007]

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.

YoHoHo and a bottle of rum

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 10 September 2011]

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.

For connoisseurs of ham, here's one of the all-time greats!

[jamil-5 · 12 July 2001]

I am gratified that so many others have commented on Robert Newton's completely over-the-top performance in the title role. Unfortunately, it completely transcends the otherwise conventional Hollywood pirate movie that surrounds it. When he's on the screen, nothing else exists. Yes, it's ham-acting at its hammiest but it's virtuoso ham acting that hardly anyone could hope to match. He rolls his eyes, growls, orates...he simply takes over the movie and almost gives ham-acting a good name. The only performances of this kind that I can think of which come close to matching him are Orson Welles (in many things but especially in "Black Magic") and Ralph Richardson in "Things to Come."

" There be no better guard over buried treasure than a loyal seaman "

[thinker1691 · 7/10 · 7 September 2012]

Of all the Hollywood actors who have portrayed Caribbean pirates, none have ever surpassed the over the top performances of Robert Newton. Despite being forever linked with Long John Silver in Treasure Island, in this movie he plays equally notorious villain Edward Teach Aka, " BlackBeard The Pirate. " Having spent a lifetime in the Caribbean, Teach has become synonymous with black hearted crimes on the high seas. In this story written by DaVallon Scott and superbly directed by Raoul Walsh, we catch up with the notorious privateer as he unsuspectingly takes on a new crew member and doctor Maynard (Keith Andes who signs on with the intention of gathering enough evidence, that Sir. Henry Morgan (Torin Thatcher) is also a pirate. The movie is everything associated with Pirates of the Old School, namely tall masted Ships, 20 lbs cannons, ship-to-ship fighting and double-dealing interaction between pirates. To help this endeavor full cast members include William Bendix, Anthony Caruso and Richard Egan. Movie eye candy is amply supplied by Linda Darnell who make the use of Technic color worth the cost. This film is easily recommended and over the years has become the stuff of Legends. Thus it has become a Classic. ****

Robert Newton vehicle as a sympathetic pirate in this drama/comedy/adventure/swashbuckler movie

[ma-cortes · 6/10 · 18 September 2020]

In 1674 , the ¨reformed" pirate Sir Henry Morgan (Torin Thatcher) results to be a high official in Jamaica , but he's subsequently appointed as island governor residing at an impregnable fortress . However , Edward Maynard (Keith Andes) hopes to win a huge reward by proving Morgan still dabbles in piracy . Maynard goes undercover as ship's surgeon under the famed pirate Blackbeard who is deemed to be the bravest pirate of the seven seas , along with his henchman Ben Worley (William Bendix) . As Blackbeard rolling his eyes wildly by executing enemies and charging up and down the deck (like a bearded captain Bligh). Also on the ship shows up Edwina Mansfield (gorgeous Linda Darnell) , seemingly a charming damsel in distress , to whom there's much more than meets the eye . Along the way , a loner inhabitant of a solitary island's been supplanted by infamous Blackbeard himself . They took what they wanted...and they wanted the world!.The thunder of their plundering shook the earth, the seas, the sky!

This is a fun and bewildering flick with a disconcerting and little credible story shot as a fun festival of sword-play , noisy action , fights and sea battles. The 18th-century buccaneer is given the full-blood , Hollywood treatment , being an amusing and funny adventure comedy/drama movie , being especially made for enhance the hilarious qualities of the always likeable and prestigious actor Robert Newton who steals the show as a sly pirate . Although Newton is a bit overzealous at times , but puts in an enjoyable acting . Here's an attractive pirate yarn with fine characterizations and some good action. Robert Newton revels in this yarn , his second pirate movie , going on his top-notch portrayal of Long John Silver in The Treausure Island , two years before . While the gorgeous Linda Darnell plays the damsel in distress saved by honest Edward Maynard well played by Keith Andes who finds himself serving as ship's surgeon . There are enjoyable appearance from prestigious secondaries as William Bendix , Torin Thatcher , Irene Ryan , Alan Mowbray, Richard Egan, Skelton Knaggs , Dick Wessel , Anthony Caruso and Jack Lambert.

The motion picture was professionally directed by Raoul Walsh . From his starts in the silent cinema Raoul achieved successful films until the 50s and forward , early 60s , when he was less dominant , but is still stayed lots of lusty adventure , stories of comradeship and friendship , and Raoul made the most of plentiful action scenes . He was an expert director of all kind genres but with penchant in Western as ¨Colorado territory¨ , ¨They died with their boots on¨, ¨Along the great divide¨, ¨Saskatchewan¨, ¨King and four queens¨ , ¨The sheriff of fractured jaw¨, ¨A distant trumpet¨ ; Adventure as ¨Thief of Bagdad¨, ¨Captain Horatio Hornblower¨, ¨World in his hands¨, ¨Blackbeard the pirate¨ , ¨Sea devils¨ ; Warlike as ¨Objetive Burma¨ , ¨Northern pursuit¨, ¨Marines let's go¨ ; and Noir film as ¨White heat¨, ¨High Sierra¨, ¨They drive by night¨, ¨The roaring twenties¨. Rating : 6/10 . Fairly straightforward movie . This interesting adventure and action film makes it of the finest of Raoul Walsh genre entries.

Another great Newton pirate!

[HotToastyRag · 7/10 · 11 April 2018]

If you thought Robert Newton had created the original pirate in 1950's Treasure Island, technically you're right. But you should watch Blackbeard, the Pirate to see his pirate character on steroids. If every ten sentences in Treasure Island, he added an "Aarr!", in Blackbeard, the Pirate, his imitable, incomparable sound was included every ten words. As the famous villainous Blackbeard, Bobbie cackles, sings, and is even more disheveled than he was as Long John Silver.

If you're familiar with pirate legends, you probably know Blackbeard had a rivalry with Captain Morgan, and in this film, a woman comes between them. Linda Darnell-who has an irrational lack of fear of the lusty, crusty pirates and continually prances around in very revealing dresses-comes aboard, but she's hiding treasure in her luggage that both famous pirates are after. She falls in love with Keith Andes, but their romance isn't the interesting part of the movie. Robert Newton captures everyone's attention, and he manages to turn the despicable villain into an incredibly likable, jolly character. His cohorts, led by William Bendix and Skelton Knaggs, who bears an eerie resemblance to Frances McDormand, are much more wicked than he is.

While there's no topping Treasure Island, I really enjoyed Blackbeard, the Pirate. Bobbie Newton is a fantastically energetic and magnetic actor, and he was constantly making me laugh without really trying to. While I didn't care for the ending, I'm glad I got to see one of his most famous roles.

The battle at sea was lost just to spare the lovely lass Edwina Mansfield (Linda Darnell)

[Ed-Shullivan · 7/10 · 14 June 2020]

Arrrrggghhhh me buckos, the right dishonorable pirate Blackbeard played to perfection by Robert Newton made this action/adventure film a pleasure to escape from reality for just under two (2) hours. An even stronger cast of despicable characters such as William Bendix and Skelton Knaggs would scare the beejeebies out of any tykster who dared to watch this adventurous pirate film with a buried treasure their reward.

As for the adult viewers you can picture yourselves playing the handsome swashbuckler Doctor Robert Maynard (Keith Andes) who is the love interest to the lovely little lassy Edwina Mansfield (Linda Darnell).

Swords are a clattering in battle, the ships cannons are a blasting, the treasure of pearls are a glistening, and Blackbeard could not look any dirtier and scruffier even if he tried. I must say he could not have looked any meaner as to when his own shipmates buried him alive up to his neck as they watched the tide come in and Blackbeard take his last breath ....... the end.

Arrrghhh me buckos, 'tis a great day to watch a good pirate film. I give it a decent 7 out of 10 IMDB rating.

swashbuckling B-movie

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 2 July 2017]

It's 17th century. Edward Teach is the feared pirate Blackbeard. The English Crown has sent reformed pirate Sir Henry Morgan against him and the other pirates. Not everyone is convinced of Morgan's conversion. Pirate Charles Bellamy arrives in Port Royal and Robert Maynard hopes to catch him with Morgan. He pretends to be the new shipboard surgeon only to find Blackbeard as the captain. Blackbeard takes Edwina Mansfield prisoner who is hiding a secret treasure.

I don't have the best print of this and the Technicolor makes this feel even older. It's all very old fashion. The sets and the directing are all static. Robert Newton is playing Blackbeard for all he's worth. Keith Andes is a stiff pretty boy leading man. Linda Darnell has ample bosoms. The action has limited visceral tension. It's an old pirate movie from the backlots of Hollywood.

For Newton

[apararas · 6/10 · 6 April 2020]

He became famous with Silver in the treasure island and this film he kinda of reprises it.The rest of the film is good but not very memorable with one r two fight scenes.Good music too.Watch it but don't expect too much.

Very boring for a modern audience

[hakan-koseoglu · 3/10 · 10 June 2020]

Seriously failing scenario lets this film down.

The acting isn't that bad, it's the pointless scene from scene, making you wonder what the hell is this all about.

I can live with the 1950s model ships, or cardboard castles, it really needed a good editing.

Newton reigns as the pirate icon.

[shiloh_3 · 9/10 · 27 December 2004]

This is not a movie of great measure. It's just a VERY good showcase for the ultimate pirate actor, Robert Newton, who fits the role so perfectly as to become THE pirate to be imitated in every pirate movie to follow. He is the centerpiece of this film, make no mistake about that. Every scene belongs to him and every word of dialogue he speaks is the learning base for future "pirates" of the silver screen.

Not a Newton fan? Steer clear, then Matey, because this movie is his and his alone. Not even the beautiful Linda Darnell can distract from him in any scene they share. He is an overpowering and magnetic force when he plays his pirate to perfection.

AWWWWWRRRRRRRRRR.

Being a big fan of the man I enjoyed this movie thoroughly. I find his acting to be natural and amusing. This is his niche and here he rules.

Not subtle, but what do you want?

[fredit-43004 · 7/10 · 24 February 2023]

I loved this film 60+ years ago when I was a kid, and I still love it today. I personally think the film was made for children, yet had enough in it to keep parents and older siblings interested. At its center, in a timeless performance that is now a part of history, Robert Newton chewed the scenery up and down the Spanish Main. Today, if anyone is invited to "talk like a pirate," I'd bet their version channels that of Newton. I'd love to hear what the contemporary "dubbed" versions sounded like, in other languages.

If Newton had been forced to deliver a "straight" performance, perhaps we'd be remarking on its subtlety and artistry. But minus the pirate hamming, I truly doubt anyone would want to see this film again.

A final note, the version of the film recently available on TCM was extremely dark. But even "pirate noir" cinematography could not obscure the goings-on. Arrgh!

Oh Arrrrr!

[Prismark10 · 3/10 · 23 August 2014]

Blackbeard is essentially a story of a reformed pirate Henry Morgan becoming the Governor in the West Indies to get rid off other pirates especially Blackbeard (Robert Newton.)

A young ship's surgeon Edward Maynard is tasked to become part of Blackbeard's crew to deal with both Blackbeard and Morgan who he also suspects of still being a villain.

Blackbeard manages to kidnap Morgan's adopted daughter which leads to a romance subplot with Maynard. At all times Blackbeard shows ruthless cunning and double dealing.

Newton hams it up nicely as Blackbeard who has set the pirate standard. William Bendix provides fine support, Linda Darnell is very nice eye candy but the whole thing is just too silly even though its a bit risqué here and there and rather strong in some of its violence.

The film ranges from daft to dull, the final fight scenes with Blackbeard and the rest of the crew is dumb but his drowning scene is rather startling.

Born to be Wild

[regular8 · 28 April 2000]

Some people are born to play certain roles. Robert Newton was born to play a pirate. No one comes close to his wild pirate performances and the film Blackbeard provides this in spades. If you liked watching him as Long John Silver in Disney's Treasure Island, you will absolutely love him running amock in Blackbeard.

Gangs of the Caribbean

[Davido-2 · 6/10 · 3 June 2005]

I'd always wondered were Daniel Day-Lewis had found his weird accent for Gangs of New-York. Finally an explanation, the character of Will The Butcher is based on Robert Newton's superbly hammy Blackbeard (note: other IMDBers have suggested Bill Sykes, another Newton character).

There are some drawn out scenes, such as where Newton swaps clothes with a look-alike to escape soldiers only to promptly shoot him in the back. The boat scenes are pretty well done though.

Newton is the prototypical celluloid pirate with his outings in the definitive Treasure Island. Both films have memorable endings but are not up to the special effects of Pirates of the Caribbean.

Teach an old sea dog some new tricks

[Lejink · 6/10 · 17 May 2017]

A rip-roaring piratical romp with Robert Newton, after playing Long John Silver for Disney's "Treasure Island" cashing in this time as Blackbeard a.k.a. Ned Teach leading his very motley crew into dangerous adventure on the high seas.

Also on board are the statuesque Linda Darnell as the resident damsel in distress and her protector and lover Maynard (called Mainyard throughout by old Blackbeard) played by while the main protagonist of all and sundry appears to be the gentleman pirate captain Morgan, pillar of society by day and treacherous plunderer by night.

Director Raoul Walsh ushers the action along in his typical no-nonsense style, with the ship battle scenes and hand to hand fighting among the pirate hordes especially memorable, give or take the odd jarring juxtaposition of ship models, back projections and less than bloody sword-fights.

Newton completely dominates the cast. He ooh - ahhrs for all he's worth generally lending to proceedings the necessary bluster, heartlessness despite and cunning. He carries the picture and is in most scenes until his demise at the end which will serve as a warning to anyone who's ever let themselves be buried up to their neck in sand on the beach. Despite wearing a less than terrifying set of little red flags on his beard, Newton revels in the Teach part, knowing that no one trusts him and everybody fears him.

I was confused for a time by the appearance of Richard Egan (later to captain his own boat into danger in "Jason and the Argonauts" some years later) as Maynard's friend as both men look so like one another. Darnell's similarly kidnapped old lady-in-waiting gets a humorous performance by as the rum-loving nursey although she disappears out of the film after about halfway but Walter Slezak seems as confused about his characters,

Perhaps it goes on a bit and lacks a reasonable ending, but when I hear the older generation talk about going to the cinema as children to see an exciting matinee performance, this is the kind of film I imagine they're talking about.

Full time noblemen, part time pirates.

[mark.waltz · 6/10 · 14 October 2023]

This colorful adventure set in the 17th century deals with various styles of piracy including the leading character, Edward Teach, aka Blackbeard, played by Robert Newton who had just played the fictional Long John Silver in the Disney remake of "Treasure Island". It's pretty much the same performance, filled with very sharp pronunciations of any word with the letter "R" in it, sometimes just opening his mouth to angrily or playfully just say the letter. Some viewers would call his performance hammy. I call it campy and sometimes unintentionally funny.

Having taken Linda Darnell and her lady in waiting (a frantic Irene Ryan in a very hammy performance) hostage, he finds out that she's the daughter of the recently deceased Charles Bellamy who turns out to have been a nobleman who made his fortune on piracy. He also deals with a similar nobleman, Henry Morgan (Torin Thatcher), who's also gotten his fortune through piracy.

Basically an old fashioned version of many modern wealthy businessmen or organized criminals. Handsome Keith Andes is British naval lieutenant who seeks to rescue Darnell and falls in love with her. William Bendix bellows delightfully as Blackbeard's sidekick. Colorful and filled with non stop action, it's perfect as a popcorn movie, no masterpiece but frequently exciting and the type of movie that they couldn't make today even if they tried desperately to.

Shipbound Pirate Adventure

[fritzlangville · 6/10 · 24 March 2024]

A man disguises himself as a pirate doctor in order to bring the notorious pirate Blackbird to justice. He is aided by a beautiful hostage. Robert Newton out does his Long John Silver impersonation and his Blackbeard is a buggy eyed brutal marvel. In fact considering the censorhip of 1952 the movie is shockingly violent in the many horrific murders that take place. Of course most of what happens is not shown but the implications of how the Pirates treated each other when taking lives is not spared any white washing. In spite of that and the staggering beauty of Linda Darnell the film is suprisingly actionless. Most of taking place inside various rooms on board Blackbeard's boat. The male lead is played by what's his name. Yes that's right. Whoever he is. The man has no charisma whatsoever and reads his lines like he's reciting the phone book. Worth a look once but that's all. Suprising as it was directed by Raoul Walsh who has made some terrific adventure movies.

Pirate flop

[byron938 · 5/10 · 25 June 2016]

This movie is a disappointment. The story line isn't up to the usual Raoul Walsh pictures. The main player in the picture was very dry and dull. Poor Linda Darnell didn't live up to her usual billing. Irene Ryan was funny. But her role was very horrible. William Bendix turns in a good performance with the script he was given. Keith Andes was very disappointing. It seems he's not comfortable at all. The main character Blackbeard (Robert Newton) lines was crisp nor was dry and very boring. The lighting in the picture was extremely poor. Making the color very dull. You can see RKO executives of the time should have been shot for releasing this sinking ship of a movie.

Arh, Argh, 'n' har har har

[rossmcdee1 · 6/10 · 12 April 2023]

Considered a classic pirate movie by many , this film is well made, but now dated.

Robert Newton is great as a pantomime Blackbeard, commanding his crew and the screen with an eye bulging, cackling performance rarely equaled.

Linda Darnell is stunning and seductive as the main love interest, and many other wonderful actors do a fine job.

However the story is rather pedestrian and is marred by almost ceaseless bombastic music. By itself the music may well be decent, but coupled with the film it becomes overbearing, constantly on the point of a climax that never really arrives.

The action is well staged , and the models of boats , castles etc are also good for the time, yet not in the same league of the Buccaneer (1958) a few years later. Nor is this film in the same league as BLACK SWAN made a decade earlier- but I've yet to see another Pirate film (pre 2000AD) that is yet.

Pirate movie re-warmed

[tracywinters-44332 · 5/10 · 20 July 2015]

Robert Newton does his pirate schtick in this not-so-true-to-life story about Edward Teach, AKA 'Blackbeard'.

Boarders on Blackbeard's ship try to escape at the first opportunity, but get dragged into the inevitable search for treasure when Blackbeard reaches the island where his stash is hidden away. Linda Darnell is beautiful as the token damsel-in-distress, Irene Ryan is funny as a matronly drunk, and Skelton Knaggs is excellent as a derelict pirate, but 'leading man' Keith Andes and deckhand Bill Bendix are less impressive. As for Newton, he looks the part and delivers the "shiver-me-timbers" dialogue, but you've seen his act before in 'Treasure Island' (1950) and he did it again in 'Long John Silver' (1954).

OK 50's adventure movie, in color, too. Would have been much better with someone else in the Andes role.

A hilarious movie...

[stedder · 8/10 · 19 March 2000]

The cast and crew must have had a ball making this flick, since it has so many funny bits in it.Just listen to this exchange between Robert Newton doing his never-equaled pirate character as Blackbeard, and the lovable lug Bill Bendix, of Life of Riley fame, as Worley, the dim-witted first mate. Blackbeard is pulling up a rope that the hero has used to climb into the Captain's cabin, and says, "I be fishin' for a rat!" Worley: "Why, are ya hungry?" Don't miss The Funeral at Sea ("For distance this time!") Watch Edward Maynard eye Linda Darnell's lavish expanse of bosom and say, "Never mind the measurements!"

And while you're thinking about the plot...how _did_ they ever get off that island?

Newton's iconic pirate saves Blackbeard from sinking.

[st-shot · 6/10 · 28 July 2018]

Raoul Walsh's direction is sloppy in this technicolor high seas adventure that never gets much wind in its sail outside of the outlandishly wonderful scenery chewing performance by Robert Newton as the title character. Newton who would go on to play more benign pirates (Long John Silver) is deliciously duplicitous from start to finish as he attempts to outfox all around him including his crew who hate but fear him more.

Director Walsh who helmed some excellent adventure dramas in the past seems to settle for anything mixing haphazard seriousness with mawkish romance and some dark comedy that Newton drives home with gusto. There's a decent sea battle, Linda Darnel displaying cleavage and Irene "Granny" Ryan scoring a few laughs as her lady in waiting but the film remains a burlesque most of the way with Newton thankfully center stage going over the top throughout before receiving a fitting exit befitting the most dastardly of screen pirates.

Arrr! Ha-harrr! Arrr!

[JoeytheBrit · 5/10 · 17 July 2008]

Arrr! Ha-Harrr, me buckos, that there brigand Robert Newton be playing the likes of Blackbeard with red ribbons in his fuzzy black beard and a liking for sturdy legs of ham, so he does. Shame he couldn't find himself a more decent plot than the one he's given here. Even that ever-reliable one-eyed old dog Raoul Walsh, director of so many classic Warner pics of the thirties and forties, can't salvage more than a few decent action scenes from a hodge-podge of comedy, romance and adventure that never really catches the wind in its sails.

That rascally Blackbeard is out to shiver the timbers of that old foe of his, Harry Morgan and to salvage for himself a chest of treasure his mateys believe is buried with a dead man but which he's secretly buried beneath some polystyrene rocks. Handsome (but bland) Keith Andes is after Blackbeard's hide and manages to sneak himself aboard the crusty old mariner's ship. Despite his blandness he also manages to undress the luscious Linda Darnell not once but twice – no mean feat for any landlubber, ah-harr! Newton looks like he's having the time of his life, ah-harring for all he's worth, and he alternates between straight and humorous, leaning mostly toward the comical despite the essentially serious nature of the story. He comes to a sticky end – blast those scurvy mutineers! – and suffers a fate that was obviously nicked and expanded upon by the makers of eighties horror compendium Creepshow, curse their eyes.

This is the type of film you'd have loved as a kid but, as an adult, its shortcomings too often interfere with your enjoyment. Arrrr.