El rey de los piratas

I saw this in 1962 when I was 7 years old at a kids matinee in our local crummy cinema THE EMPIRE in the suburb of BOTANY in SYDNEY AUSTRALIA.

It made me the man I am today, with a completely mesmerising afficianado for old cinemas and the use of colour in old films.

Years later it was re run with hilarous voice overs at late shows but the film still was such good fun and quite well made that even making fun of it didn't detract. It is actually quite good.

Before you write it off as just another el cheapo Italian made "peplum epic", take the time to watch it.Reeves is in fine form in title role and he does manage to create a believable character. The film is also fairly factual in how he began his career and the raid on Spanish controlled Panama at the end of the film actually happened in 1671. Film features fine color photography, good atmosphere, and realistic looking 17th. century costumes. There is a very exciting and well staged sword duel on the beach, beautiful women {including the voluptious Chelo Alonso} a great musical score and, for once the ships are authentic looking life size replicas and not the usual bathtub toy boats that too pirate movies feature. There's also a funny sequence where Morgan's men-dressed as woman capture a Spanish treasure galleon. I remember watching it on the Channel 9 "Million Dollar Movie" {in the New York area} in the early 60s when it would be shown at 7.30 and 11.30 every weekday night for a week. I must have watched it 5 times! It was a fun movie then. I recently got to see it on VHS and it is still how I remembered it. Of course it does not have a "Pirates of the Caribbean" budget, but it is not as overblown as those films. No supernatural events or fantasy elements, just a well made and exciting pirate film that delivers on all levels. Steve Reeves best role-even when compared to "Hercules". His films are long overdue for a comeback. I hope it happens soon! This guy really deserves it.

Henry Morgan (Steve Reeves) is an English slave who's bought by the Panama governor (Ivo Garrani)'s daughter named Ines (Valerie Legrange). They fall in love and then he's condemned . When he finds himself in a galleon , there bursts a rebellion and he becomes pirate . Meanwhile , Ines is kidnapped in island of Turtle , but she's freed . Then , Morgan decides to take the city of Panama , the location strongest fortified from Spanish empire . As the notorious pirate raids up and down the Caribbean, battling the Spanish, the English and other pirates .

The film is a nice pirate-adventure movie , being lavishly produced . This classic story of romantic adventure come to life enriched by Technicolor cinematography in charge of Tonino Delli Colli (usual cameraman of Sergio Leone and Pier Paolo Pasolini) and adapted magnificently to screen . Overwhelming battle ships and sword-play and full of villainy , romance , swashbuckler and heroism . Usual dancing scenes in charge of a gorgeous and erotic Chelo Alonso . Steve Reeves is cool as the pirate hero who encounters dangerous situations while trying to retrieve his lover . Reeves acted as a corpulent hero in several movies , starring historic and legendary characters , such as ¨Romulus¨ in Romulus and Remo ; ¨Phillipides¨ in Giant of Marathon ; ¨Eneas¨ in The war of the Trojan and The horse of Trojan ; ¨Glaucus¨ in The last days of Pompei and ¨Hercules¨ in Hercules the Queen of Lydia . The motion picture was well directed by Andre De Toth and Primo Zeglio . Andre De Toth is a classic director , Western habitual (Indian fighter, Man in the saddle , Ramrod , Last of Comanches , The stranger wore a gun) , but also made Péplum (Gold for the Caesar , The Mongols).

The film is partially based on historical events , as Henry John Morgan (born Welsh 1635, dead Port Royal, Jamaica 1688) 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 . For that reason was imprisoned , but king Charles II freed him and named him governor of Jamaica .

Along with "The Thief of Bagdad, one of Reeves' best flicks. It has a great story, perfect casting, authentic locations, rousing action and pretty music score. Reeves' presence and the strong romantic theme add quite a bit of appeal to the genre. Check out the sword fight on Tortuga Island, a classic. The whole family will love this.

Having seen this flick at the Saturday matinée when I was an impressionable young lad, it's hard to imagine anyone duplicating this role in a more convincing way than Reeves, but someday perhaps Hollywood will revisit the story of Morgan the Pirate, it's certainly worthy of a remake, if they could find someone with half the presence of Reeves to play the role.

This is a good pirate film for kids.I don't think anybody,including Reeves,thought that he was a great artist,but it's a fun picture.Vaguely inspired by "Captain Blood",this has very little to do with the real Henry Morgan.It also has aspects of "The Adventures of Robin Hood "as well.Chelo Alonso,straight from her adventures in the Follies Bergere is simply exquisite.A funny sequence has Reeves strip to the waist for a duel with the paunchy Armand Mestral,who,when viewing his rivals superb physique,shrugs in chagrin.Ripping good fun.