Il grande colpo di Surcouf

This is actually the last entry – but the first I have watched – in a two-film series about the titular figure, a French corsair of the Napoleonic era (there was even a 1926 Silent adventure dealing with his sea-faring exploits). Again, I expected little from it but was reasonably entertained in the long run: incidentally, this sequel does not seem to have been released in English-speaking countries (despite the uncredited involvement of Hollywood veteran Rowland) since I could not find an alternate title for it in that language! As for Bergonzelli, I own but have yet to check his intriguing giallo IN THE FOLDS OF THE FLESH (1970).

Anyway, the film offers mild excitement of the pirate variety, with the expected ruses (Surcouf's ship passing off as a British one in difficulty so as to ambush the enemy vessel responding to their would-be distress-call!), captures/escapes and, of course, romance with – inevitably – a woman from the opposite side and married to the hero's sworn enemy (having actually been a former flame of the protagonist's, also returning from the first film, and now he too has his own family). The latter is played – albeit rather wasted here – by Antonella Lualdi from Vittorio Cottafavi's THE HUNDRED HORSEMEN (1964).

Incidentally, the title refers to a 'big job' undertaken by Surcouf but, while he does lend his services to Bonaparte somewhere along the line, I did not feel there was anything particularly outstanding about his mission…even if, admittedly, much of what went on has already pretty much slipped my mind (which is a rather regrettable tendency with respect to this sort of unassuming fare)!

"Il Grande Colpo Di Surcouf" or "The Big Hit of Surcouf" is a thrilling swashbuckling who launched Gerard Barray to fame at an acceptable role in which he becomes a notorious corsair . An agreeable as well as funny entertainment Gerard Barray swashbuckler about the famous Corsair , Surcouf , "The Sea Pirate" . This classic story of romantic adventure by Sergio Bergonzelli and uncredited Roy Rowland , filmed in Spain , comes to life enriched by Eastmancolor photography and being freely based on historical events . It is set during the Napoleonic Wars , it was common to distinguish verbally between privateers (also known as private ships of war) on the one hand, and armed merchantmen, which were referred to as "Letters of Marque", on the other, though both received the same commission . In addition to the term Lettre de Marque, the French sometimes used the term Lettre de course for their Letters of Marque. A "letter of marque" generally refers to a lumbering square-rigged cargo carrier that might pick up a prize if the opportunity arose . As the first part ¨Tigre De Los Siete mares¨ dealt with the brave captain Sourcuf who turned pirate and arranged for letters of marque . As the known Corsair got a "letter of marque and reprisal" would include permission to cross an international border to effect a reprisal authorized by an issuing jurisdiction to conduct reprisal operations outside its borders . As a corsair captain and a crew of valiant sailors plundering for loot , revenge and righting wrings becomes his life . They are forced into piracy but ultimately earn pardon for their swashbuckling ways . This second installment deals with Surcouf (Gerard Barray) just married to Marie-Catherine Blaise (Genieve Casile) , and already reconciled to her father (Jose Maria Caffarell) . Surcuf is assigned by high command : Napoléon (as Gianni Esposito) and Le Gouverneur Malartic (Tomás Blanco) to a dangerous mission , to retrieve valuable documents taken by the British army and guarded by Lord Blackwood (Terence Morgan) . As Captain Robert Surcouf aboard the ship called ¨Revenal¨ with the motley crew (Luis Barboo , Gerard Tichy , Aldo Sambrell, Victor Israel) . As Surcouf and his crew sailing recklessly through dangerous waters , from Saint Malo along the English Channel or ¨La Manche¨ today he still lives in hundreds of legends . At the final takes place an impressive assault on the enemy fortress to free Surcouf's brother (Frank Oliveras) and subsequently the ultimate sword-play between our hero and Blackwood.

This is the s sequel to ¨Surcouf, l'Eroe Dei Sette Mares¨ or ¨The Sea Pirate¨ or "Los Hermanos Surcouf" , this second is an amusing pirate movie , plenty of movement , colorful cinematography by Juán Gelpi , realistic miniature work , luxurious costumes , catching score ; all meld together under Roy Rowland's ordinary direction . Enjoyable production packs enough thrills , action and ship battles ; although the story has been told before , tight filmmaking and nice acting win out . Combination of overwhelming battle ships , sword-play and full of villainy , romance , swashbuckler and heroism . The picture is fast-moving , exciting and thrilling right up with climatic final confrontation between Gerard Barray and the villain . Enough budgeted film by Nat Wachsberger and Alfonso/Francisco Balcazar , using appropriate ship shots and miniature sets when possible . Amusing acting by Gerad Barray as a historic pirate who uses all kind of shrewdness in order to defeat the British during the Napoleonic blockade . There appears the gorgeous Antonella Lualdi as a hot-tempered moll who married Surcouf's nemesis and swoons over Gerard ; furthermore , an attractive support cast plenty of familiar Spanish secondaries , such as Tomás Blanco , Jose Caffarel , Luis Barboo , Antonio Molino , and Fernando Sancho . Atmospheric as well as evocative cinematography by Juan Gelpi shot on location in Denia (Alicante) , Spain , but a perfect remastering being necessary . Original Music by Georges Garvarentz , adding an enticing leitmotif heard throughout the movie . The film was regularly directed by Roy Rowland and Sergio Bergonzelli (Blood delirium , In the floods of flesh , Taxi love , Joy) . However, an interview in 2003 Gérard Barray said that Sergio Bergonzelli did not shoot 1 meter of film, the whole film was directed by Roy Rowland and the Bergonzelli name was only used for co-production reasons . Rating : 5.5/10 , average though acceptable pirate movie , entertaining stuff that provides audience amusement.

Although this picture hasn't historical penchant , it is based on actual roles : Robert Surcouf (1773 –1827) . He was a French privateer and slave trader who operated in the Indian Ocean between 1789 to 1808, capturing over 40 prizes, while amassing a large fortune as a ship-owner, both from privateering and from commerce for a time . His privateers led successful campaigns against the British in the Indian Ocean and disastrous ones in the English Channel, except for Renard which achieved fame in her very costly victory over HMS Alphea on 9 September 1812 which exploded after repulsing French attempts at boarding it causing many casualties. In Saint-Malo, he married Marie Blaize , they had five children together. Around 1805, Surcouf started to arm privateers in Saint-Malo in partnership with his father-in-law Louis Blaize . A number of legends have grown around Surcouf over the time: he is often stated to have been made a Baron of the Empire, which is untrue . From 1809, Surcouf went into business as ship-owner, and over the years, he armed a number of privateers . Another legend states that Surcouf had thrown overboard gold seized on Kent; in fact, Kent did not carry gold . Five ships of the French Navy were named in honor of Surcouf . He died in 1827 and is buried in a graveyard at Saint-Malo.

The first "Surcouf" spawns a sequel with the same foursome:Gérard Barray ,as the dashing hero ,Antonella Lualdi and Terence Morgan,whose parts have been fleshed out,as the corsair's impossible love and the hateful false-hearted officer ,and Genevieve Casile ,as the faithful wife who , on the contrary ,walks on.

We are spared ,except for the final credits ,the unbearable ditty by the Compagnons De La Chanson from the first episode ,and instead,we can hear the old folk song "Aupres De Ma Blonde".This first effort featured Josephine ,this one boasts Napoleon in the flesh (played by Gianni Esposito).

Surcouf is chivalrous and treats his prisoners with the respects which their position commands;On the other hand,Lord Blackwood ,the English villain, throws them into a dark dungeon and hangs them without further ado.

The English doctor has probably got a Mickey Mouse degree:not only the tattoo does not worry him at all,but Surcouf fools him into believing he's got scarlet fever;and finding sailors all talking French on a so called English ship is only natural.

The ending promised a third "Surcouf" which never saw the light of day. History tells us that he lived happily ever after and that he had many many children.