Nate and Hayes

I was lucky enough to go to the European premiere of this film in London ( although strangely enough i seem to remember that it ended up on a double bill with TOP SECRET in some cinemas). Made before Tommy Lee Jones became a big star it was quite obviously the inspiration for Pirates of the Caribbean. It was released in the UK under the title SAVAGE ISLANDS but in some places it was called NATE & HAYES. However, shame on Paramount for not exploiting it better. I know they had a lot riding on the not dissimilar Indiana Jones films but this is a cracking adventure and deserves better treatment (and why oh why has it not been seen on UK television for about 15 years?).

Good news though. The film is finally getting a DVD release (on region 1 only) on June 20th 2006 so keep an eye out for it.

It's the late nineteenth century in the South Pacific , there shows up Bully Hayes (Tommy Lee Jones) , he is a daring , two-fisted pirate captain who while he has never flown the double-crossbones and skull , he has dealt with other malicious pirates and becomes involved in illegal trade, albeit never having swindled , deceived or murdered anyone who didn't deserve it . It is after one of those trading missions with a native tribe gone wrong that he is arrested "by an old friend" under Spanish law for trying to sell arms to the enemy , a crime punishable by hanging . The good pirate Hayes helps young missionary Nate (Michael O'Keefe) and his beautiful bride (Jenny Seagrove) . As his fiancee is captured by a cutthroat band of slave traders and both , Nate and Hayes , have to free her . Brave and daredevil Nate and Hayes risk his lives facing off villains (Max Phipps) , taking on angry natives , cliffs , a warship with a ruthless German commander and several dangers and adventures.Partners in Piracyc. Rivals in Romance. Allies in Adventure .He's a scoundrel... A hero... A lover of danger and the last of the adventurers...

This is an unpretentious , old-fashioned movie fun , dealing with the story of Bully Hayes and his young accomplice pal Nate , both of whom execute feats of derring-do in various exotic locations and along the way taking on their cutthroat nemesis . An amusing and entertaining ¨jolly rogers¨ movie with lots of action , colorful cinematography by Tony Imi and attractive scenes , all these elements make this a charming film . The flick blends comedy , adventures , action , rip-roaring , Cliff-hunger , tongue-in-cheek and being extremely entertaining and funny . The picture has great loads of action , special effects abundant and impressive Trevor Jones' musical score . The movie has spectacular set pieces when protagonists are fighting a cannibal tribe , as they undertaking a breathtaking getaway , all of them will have you on the edge of your seat , but the action never lets up . Trio starring are pretty good . Tommy Lee Jones gives a nice acting as Bully Hayes who considers himself a good pirate with morals and standards . While Michael O'Keefe plays magnificently as the valiant and impulsive missionary turned into an action man . And Jenny Seagrove is gorgeous as the damsel in distress .

The motion picture was competently directed by Ferdinad Fairfaix . He was an usual TV director , such as : The Choir series , In the name of love , Murder Most Horrid series , Without Motive , Trial & Retribution , Unconditional love , Rose and Maloney , Lilies , Egypt , The last detective , Murder in mind , Without Motive , Frenchman's Creek , Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years, The last place on Earth and occassionally for cinema , such as : True blue , The Secret Life of Ian Fleming , The Rescue . It's indispensable and essential watching for adventure aficionados . Rating : 6,5/10. Notable , above average and well worth seeing. It's a winner for Tommy Lee Jones fans.

I saw Nate and Hayes back in the day, in the darkness of the theater. It was fun, but the memory of Raiders of the Lost Ark (which was certainly responsible for this film's existence) was too fresh, and this minor film suffered in comparison. Though Nate and Hayes was competently made, and had it's charms, it was obviously a TV movie that somehow made it up to the big screen. I think that if they'd had a bit more money to spend, the filmmakers could have created a film just as good as Disney's recent pirate adventures. With more varied camera-work, a few more creative action bits, better costumes, and richer cinematography, the same screenplay could have been made into a smash hit classic. In fact, most of the big hits of the past 3 decades have basically just been slick and shiny remakes of little films like this one. And Tommy Lee Jones makes a fantastic Pirate, Texas accent and all!

I thoroughly enjoyed Nate and Hayes as a "tween"---it had all the things a young fella would look for...action, adventure, and wry, often purposefully bad humor.

Certainly ranks up there with the Indiana Jones flicks as far as scripting and subject matter, just lacked the funding to be as over the top. Still, the film does not stretch beyond its means in this regard, as Temple of Doom tended to (ie the inflatable lifeboat "parachute" sequence).

As many folks here have mentioned, this is Saturday afternoon fare at its finest. Not to be taken seriously, does not take itself seriously, yet remains a class act.

Nate and Hayes is a grand pirate adventure of a film. The chemistry between Tommy Lee Jones and Michael O'Keefe is perfect and the score to the film is sweeping and epic. Great pirate adventure, highly recommended.