El pirata Barbanegra

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.

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.

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.

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.

Enough has been said by other reviewers about Robert Newton's performance, so I want to make some comments about Linda Darnell's appearance in this film. Although she was given second billing, her part is rather small in the overall script. There wasn't much great dramatic effort required to do her part.

I'm guessing her star power had something to do with her being cast in this film. The incidental love story involving her character could have been eliminated from the film without the film being affected. I guess it was needed to give the film a "happy ending".

Since most of her work was filmed in black and white, it's nice to have another opportunity to see her photographed in Technicolor.