The Black Corsair (1976) User Reviews (5)

Italian Pirate adventure with intrepid heroes , nasty villains and exotic scenarios

[ma-cortes · 6/10 · 26 October 2018]

Emilio di Roccabruna (Kabir Bedi) count of Ventimiglia is battling Van Gould (Mel Ferrer) who ten years before had killed his dad and stolen his family ownerships . He is known as "Il Corsaro Nero" , The Black Corsair , and he has two siblings , a duo of famed pirates : Il Corsaro Verde -The Green Corsair- and as Il Corsaro Rosso , -The Red Corsair . When a Spanish batallion is entirely taking down an Indian village , the Black Corsair supported by his underlings (Franco Fantasia, Sal Borghese) save an Indian girl , Yara (Sonja Jeannine ) , who then swears him fidelity . As the notorious pirate raids up and down the Caribbean , battling the Spanish , the English and other pirate enemies . The black pirate assaults a ship and there he meets a beautiful woman , lady Duchessina Van Gould (Carole Andre) along with her servant . Later on , the known Green Corsair (Piccolomini) and the Red Corsair (Jack Basehart) are treacherously murdered by Van Gould's hoodlums and subsequently hanged . After that , at Turtle Island , the Black Corsair organizes with the help of his cohorts and the notorious pirate Henry Morgan (Angelo Infanti) a relentless vendetta .

The film is a nice pirate-adventure movie , being well produced, and based on novels by Emilio Salgari , as two books : "Il corsaro nero" and "La regina dei Caraibi" . This classic story of romantic adventure come to life enriched by Eastmancolor cinematography in charge of Alberto Spagnoli and well adapted to big screen screen . Overwhelming battles and sword-play and full of villainy , romance , swashbuckler and heroism . Kabir Badi is cool as the pirate hero who encounters dangerous situations while trying to exact a merciless revenge . Bedi acted as a corpulent hero in several movies , starring historic , legendary and exotic characters , standing out in the successful Sandokan TV series also directed by Sollima . Accompanied by a gorgeous Carole André playing a charming lady who results to be the daughter of the powerful Van Gould . Support cast is pretty good with special mention for the extremely villainous Mel Ferrer , as well as Sonja Jeannine , Dagmar Lassander , Sal Borgese , Franco Fantasia , Guido Alberti , and Pietro Torrisi or Peter McCoy . And even appears a historic role played by Angelo Infanti as Henry John Morgan (born Welsh 1635, dead Port Royal, Jamaica 1688) , he was a known corsair , at death of pirate Edward Mansfield was appointed chief by the buccaneers . He conquered Providence island or Saint Catalina . Later on , he sacked the city of Panama , violating the truce between Spain and England , then he was imprisoned , but king Charles II freed him and named him governor of Jamaica .

Colorful and glimmering photography ; adding a typically catching musical score from Guidoi and Maurizio De Angelis , billed under their own names rather than their ordinary alias of Oliver Onions . Sergio Sollima's direction is well crafted , here he's less cynical and more inclined toward adventure , sword-play , violence and too much action . Sergio wrote and directed all kinds of genres such as Pirate films as ¨Sandokan ¨ and ¨ Black Corsario¨ ; Peplum : ¨Rocha¨ , "Spartacus and the Ten Gladiators" , "Triumph of the Ten Gladiators" , ¨Ursus¨, "Goliath Against the Giants" ; Thriller : ¨Revolver¨ (1973) ; Euro-spy : "Requiem for a Secret Agent" , "Agent 3S3: Hunter from the Unknown" , ¨Tanger 67¨ ; being especially known for his ¨Cuchillo trilogy¨ : ¨Run Cuchillo run¨, ¨Face to Face¨ , ¨The big Gundown¨. And this ¨Black Corsair¨that is essential and indispensable watching for Kabir Bedi fans . This is a satisfyingly attractive and thrilling flick that avid fans of the genre will love .

THE BLACK PIRATE (Sergio Sollima, 1976) **1/2

[Bunuel1976 · 6/10 · 18 August 2006]

India-born Kabir Bedi was groomed into a latter-day Steve Reeves when he entered the Italian film industry in the mid-70s. In fact, he not only played the roles of Sandokan in a TV mini-series and on the screen (something Reeves had done on film) but he also featured in the all-star remake of THE THIEF OF BAGHDAD (1978; Reeves had done so in 1960). Incidentally, Reeves also starred in MORGAN THE PIRATE (1961) and that legendary figure does play an important role in the plot of the film under review!

The swashbuckler/pirate film genre was pretty much passé by this point in time but this is a fairly lively and successful throwback to those matinée adventures so prevalent in Hollywood between the 1920s and early 1950s. Kabir Bedi is a handsome and sympathetic leading man, while Mel Ferrer is as villainous here as he had been in one of the touchstones of the genre, SCARAMOUCHE (1952). A bevy of attractive ladies (Carole Andre', Sonja Jeannine and Dagmar Lassander) and a typically infectious score from Gianni and Maurizio De Angelis (billed under their own names rather than their usual alias of Oliver Onions!) round up the film's assets.

Incredibly enough, this was an unprecedented box office phenomenon over here in Malta at the time of its release but I'm too young to remember it. Having seen it again now, it practically beggars belief but, as I said, it is an enjoyable, audience-pleasing romp. What is remarkable about it, however, is the fact that director Sollima injects an overly solemn ambiance at times (not to mention some fantasy sequences of Bedi tormented by the vision of the ghosts of his murdered brothers) which lends it a ponderousness quite atypical of such sea-faring stuff. Maybe it was intended as the last word on the subject or something: Mel Ferrer even goes unpunished in the end and The Black Pirate himself retreats into obscurity with his true love, leaving the field entirely to his consummate successor Morgan.

Fun romp

[petra_ste · 6/10 · 11 July 2016]

Writer Emilio Salgari is an interesting figure. Author of dozens of adventure novels set in all kinds of exotic locales, creator of iconic characters like Sandokan, Yanez and the Black Corsair, Salgari spent his life in Italy but wrote of pirates, galleons, jungles, thugs, tigers, deserts, Sioux, Cossacks, polar explorations, whales and typhoons, and did so with pathos and endearing earnestness. Despite the success of his works - which have become classics of popular Italian literature - he died penniless (following his passion for all things exotic, the poor man committed Seppuku).

The Black Corsair is a surprisingly watchable pirate adventure, competently directed and with a catchy soundtrack. Many performances are weak, but the movie nails the central role: Kabir Bedi, who achieved fame in Italy playing Salgarian anti-heroes, is perfectly cast and charismatic. With his piercing stare, infectious smile and athletic figure, he feels at times like an Indian Sean Connery. Mel Ferrer plays the villainous Duke.

6,5/10

Italian Adventure Flick with Kabir BEDI and Dagmar LASSANDER

[ZeddaZogenau · 6/10 · 20 March 2024]

In the mid-1970s, Indian actor Kabir Bedi (*1946) became a busy Cinecitta Divo in the Roman film industry. Emilio Salgari's novels once again experienced a wave of popularity, and Kabir Bedi could be seen in a popular television series as "Sandokan" and in a few similar films. Of course, he fits in perfectly as the "Black Corsair" in a film by Sergio Sollima. As an upright fighter for good, Kabir Bedi cuts a dazzling figure. At his side are Carole Andre, Hollywood star Mel Ferrer and the German Cinecitta diva Dagmar Lassander as the beautiful Margravine of Bermejo.

After his years of success in the Roman Cinecitta, Kabir Bedi continued to make countless films for Indian Bollywood cinema. However, he remained in demand internationally, so he also appeared in the American television series DYNASTY. The versatile actor was last seen in the Indian historical epic "Mohenjo Daro" (2016) with Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan.

I love the music and Kabir Bedi

[sistinam · 10/10 · 20 January 2008]

I watched this film when i was five years old and fell in love with Kabir Bedi instantly.

I have since watched it many times in the past thirty years and still enjoy it.

I think Kabir Bedi's eyes and smile are a reason enough to watch this film.

The acting and sound effects do leave a bit to be desired, however the story, scenery and costumes make up for that.

The music is lovely. Its simple but beautiful. Brilliant and will never tire of watching it.