Blackbeard the Pirate (1952)

GREAT MOVIE

I REMEMBER SEEING THIS MOVIE WHEN I WAS A KID, I NEVER FORGOT IT, IS IT A DRAMA.... WELL.. IT'S A COMEDY ALSO. May 4, 2007

Blackbeard sails once again!!!.....the DVD

I have this movie recorded on tape, but I just now stumbled on the DVD on Amazon. This movie nearly outranks Treasure Island which is also one of my favorites. Robert Newton, fresh from his role of Long John Silver in Treasure Island, does a surperb job in the role of Blackbeard, the most feared of all pirates. William Bendix adds comic relief as Blackbeard's First Mate Mordey. Linda Darnell does really good in her role as Edwina Mansfield, and I forgot who did the role of Robert Maynard, but he does a good job in the role, and last, but not least, whoever does the role of Sir Henry Morgan, does a excellent job of it. I saw this movie on DVD, and I may purchase it off Amazon. If you didn't see this movie, you don't know what you're missing. I recemend this movie to everyone who loves pirate movies. Glad it's on DVD. Thanks Amazon. August 7, 2003

Blackbeard the Pirate

This film is classic Saturday matinee pirate fare from 1952. The tongue-in-cheek coupling of 18th century lingo with 1950's hip slang is clever. Critics who bashed this film missed the point--it's simply to be enjoyed. It's a semi-farce,and should be viewed as such.

Excellent casting, charaterizations and script. Good seafaring musical score and great special effects considering the technology that was available at the time the film was produced. And Robert Newton, despite criticisms, is clearly the best pirate to ever grace the silver screen. Good perfomances by Linda Darnell, Keith Andes, William Bendix, and Irene Ryan (granny Hillbilly). Better than average in every way. But what less than a cool flick like this could you expect from RKO in the postwar era? ARRRRH! February 18, 2001

WE'VE BEEN ON THIS BOAT BEFORE

The early 1950s proved to be a Golden Age for pirate movies as Hollywood countered the threat of small, black-and-white TV screens with big, colorful adventures set in exotic Caribbean locations. Although "Blackbeard the Pirate" has all the trappings of such rousing adventures as "Against All Flags" and "The Crimson Pirate," it lacks the necessary verve and style needed to lift it above the routine level.

Robert Newton makes for a larger-than-life title character but he'd be better in small doses and he's given little opportunity to modulate his boisterous performance. Linda Darnell does what she can with the damsel-in-distress part but that's simply not enough. Keith Andes has the face and physique of an action hero but his bland personality is probably what kept him from becoming a star. There is an interesting moment when he's flogged across his bare back, and Newton orders that salt be thrown on his bloody welts in order to increase the pain. Here's one of those unique touches that the movie could have used more of, but -- typically enough -- little is made of the situation. Andes doesn't seem to be affected by the salt and there's no shot of his face to show his reaction to this punishment.

William Bendix, Irene Ryan (in her pre-"Beverly Hillbillies" days), and a young Richard Egan provide adequate support, but no one really seems to have his heart in this project. September 1, 2000

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