One of several Italian-made films of the early '60s centered around a sometimes woman pirate captain. Others include: "Tiger of the Seas", with the same lead actress, and "Queen of the Seas". Hollywood had already produced at least 2 such films, in "Anne of the Indies", and "Against All Flags". Each has a different complex story to tell, thus justifying seeing all, if you can(most are currently free on YouTube). In this one, the beautiful daughter(Gianna Canale, as Sandra) of sea merchant Milko(Jose Jaspe) rebelled against the ruling Duke's(Paul Muller) tax collector, come to collect excise taxes on the goods they export. Others, as well, complained. The Duke's soldiers arrived and arrested Sandra, her father, and a number of other women, who were thrown in the dungeon, to await assignment of their punishment. The captain was sentenced to hang, and Sandra to be publically whipped. But, Count Cesare arrived on cue, interfering with both punishments. The Captain's sentence was commuted to a silver mine slave, while Sandra was shipped with other young women to become slaves of the Ottomans. Again, fate intervened, and neither reached their prescribed destination. Sandra, her father, several crew, and the condemned women staged a mutiny, and took over the Duke's prize ship: the Isabella, named for his eligible knockout blond daughter(Scilla Gabel). Soon, they attracted a crew of men, with Sandra at the helm(her father deferring to her). They soon became the scourge of the Mediterranean, as the Isabella was the Duke's best fighting ship. Count Cesare, who was betrothed to Isabella, suggested that he go alone, with his squire Battista, to try to board the Isabella from a small rowing boat. This was accomplished and Sandra greeted him enthusiastically. She and her father told the count of the bad things the Duke and his daughter had been doing. The count decided to switch his allegiance to Sandra and her pirates, but returned to the Duke's castle to parley. Later, the Duke's men found Count Cesare and Sandra alone in the tunnel leading from the sea to the castle. The count made up the story that he had lured Sandra into the tunnel , and was escorting her to the castle. Now, Sandra was again uncertain whose side the count was on. She was thrown in the dungeon, to await execution by hanging. Meanwhile, her pirates, those of her ally: 'The King of Pirates', as well as a horde of dissatisfied villagers and peasants, prepared to storm the castle, to free Sandra and depose the Duke. WARNING: Spoilers relating to the climax and finale are ahead! ....
The ferocious battle between the Duke's men and the allies, mostly in the courtyard, and climbing over the walls, is part of the climax. Count Cesare rescues Sandra from the scaffold, and tells her that she is the rightful head princess, not Isabella. Captain Milko had told Cesare that he was not her biological father; the Duke was!(long story). With his dying words, the Duke confirmed this claim. And since she was born to the Duke's first wife, she had precedence over Isabella as his succeeding daughter(having no son). Thus, with the battle finally won, she should retire from her pirate life, and assume the duties of the ruler of her principality, allied with that of her husband- to- be: Cesare. We may wonder about Isabella's fate. Since Sandra hated her, she would probably do best to try to marry another aristocrat.....I thought the screenplay was excellent, although there were a few important unbelievable events. Also, clearly, this was a budget film, and only 75min. long. A lot of action and intrigue packed into that time!