Les pirates du diable

One of Hammer Studios forays away from the horror genre, the film still has the unmistakable Hammer stamp much in evidence.

Story concerns a fighting ship from the Spanish Armada, which after the defeat takes refuge on a remote stretch of English coastline for repairs. The crew, headed by Christopher Lee, convince the locals that the Spanish were victorious and blockade their village.

Many aspects of Hammers historical horror films are present - the nervous, subdued villagers, the local landowner who gives in to the outside forces, the buxom village wench to be plundered, the young headstrong villager who organises resistance etc. With Lee playing the evil force, the films middle is similar in tone to many a Hammer Dracula film - the pirate ship taking the place of the usual castle, but the effect and implications it has are the same.

As a swashbuckler, 'The Devil-Ship Pirates' doesn't really offer anything of lasting interest - for Hammer fans though there is much to enjoy, with production values above average, and a storyline which satisfies all requirements.

Nice to see Michael Ripper in a surprisingly large role - he must have as many lines in this as every other Hammer film he was in put together.

Hammer's foray into straight adventure stories occasionally resulted in some first-rate films. Of course as was the norm with most Hammer productions, they were made on a shoestring budget. "The Devil Ship Pirates" certainly doesn't show it. It is clear that every cent was squeezed from the budget and shifted on-screen. The visuals in this film are incredible and run to the inclusion of a 120 foot long Spanish Galleon (The story of this ill fated large scale prop is an interesting tale all it's own), designed by Bernard Robinson. The costuming is splendid and certainly does much to make the film a convincingly effective historical piece. A strong cast, headed by Mr. Lee and ably supported by the likes of Andrew Keir, Philip Latham, Michael Ripper and Suzan Farmer, gives their all to achieve what is clearly one of Hammer's best forays into the pirate movie sub-genre. Michael Ripper in particular is, as always, a joy to watch.

The film begins with the defeat of the Spanish Armada. The Spanish ship Diablo is badly damaged and her Captain, a rakish privateer by the name of Robeles, takes the ship into the English coast to make covert repairs. While there, a little plundering is in order and the crew of the ship occupy a small isolated village by duping the villagers into believing that the Spanish won and that they are there as representatives of Spain. A resistance movement is formed and the usual results: swordplay, flogging, and a good deal of running around.

The plot is fairly standard stuff, but very well told and demonstrates a bit more depth than typical swashbucklers. The staunch British defend their island from invading foreigners. Thematically, it has as much in common with "The Adventures of Robin Hood" as it does with "The Eagle has Landed". Normans, Germans or as in this case, Spanish privateers, the mentality is the same. As Winston Churchill put it: "We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender." Devil Ship Pirates would have made a splendid WWII era morale booster with its rather blatant message. An interesting touch that adds depth and separates this film from the usual pirate fair. By including Barry Warren's sympathetic and honorable Spaniard character, the film narrowly avoids stereotyping the Spanish. A token effort, but one that raises the tone somewhat.

Christopher Lee excels in the role of the nasty Captain Robeles. He looks magnificent in the red uniform and moves with incredible authority at all times. There are a good number of fencing sequences that are carried off with remarkable skill and dexterity; a real showcase of Mr. Lee's ability. The final sequences aboard the Diablo are simply stunning. This is one pirate flick that shouldn't be missed...and that's an order, Mister!

July 1588 . In the English channel the British fleet has been battling for two days against the mighty Spanish armada . Badly damaged with half their crews killed , the ships of Spain battle their way on up the channel . And the thickest part of the fighting is one of the smallest Spanish ships , the licensed privateer 'Diablo' . As the damaged privateer deserts the Spanish Armada and makes land for repairs near a village on the British coast , terrorizing the local inhabitants . They have to put it near from a village on the coast for repairs . The place is small and isolated and the Spanish military convince the villagers that the British fleet has been defeated and that they are now their conquerors . The hot-blooded as well as shipwrecked crew of cut-throats is led by Captain Robeles (Christopher Lee) .

Entertaining pirate movie , plenty of action , thrills , exciting sword-play , luxurious costumes , athletic feats , enjoyable score ; all meld together under Don Sharp's right direction . Combination of spectacular ships battle , sword-play and full of villainy , betrayal , swashbuckling and heroism . Hammer Production built a real Spanish pirate ship for the film planning to reuse it on other flicks . The full-sized galleon was built in some sand pits on a steel structure under the water ; although warned not to have too many people on board at once, one day the tea boat was lifted onto a platform level with the water with too many people getting their tea . The ship capsized throwing most of the cast and crew in the water , thankfully no one was drowned or seriously hurt . In the film appears Hammer ordinary actors such as Andrew Keir , Duncan Lamont , Susan Farmer , Philip Latham , Michael Ripper and , of course , the great Christopher Lee . Interesting script by screenwriter Jimmy Sangster , Hammer's usual , he remarked that this movie's basic premise is similar to that of "The Desperate Hours" in which a gang of criminals holds a family hostage . Well produced by Anthony Nelson Keys at Bray studios , England , with nice production design by Bernard Robinson , in fact "village square" set was also used , only slightly altered , in "The Crimson Blade" . Evocative as well as thrilling musical score by Gary Hughes . Colorful cinematography in Hammer style by Michael Reed .

The motion picture was professionally directed by Don Sharp , it premiered in the United States before debuting in Britain and was double-billed with "The Invincible Seven" . In the mid-1960s Sharp was hired by horror specialist Hammer Films and resulted out some well-received thrillers , and horror movies including Kiss of the vampire (1963) , his first for Hammer , Witchcraft (1964) and The curse of the fly (1965) . Don directed Christopher Lee six times , he was his fetish actor . Don worked on a few films as second-unit director , most notably Those magnificent men and the flying machines (1965) and Puppet on a chain (1965) before returning to filmmaking again , and turned out a string of thrillers as The thirty nine steps (1979) , Bear Island (1984) , horror films as Dark places (1974) , Secrets of the phantom caverns (1985) , Guardian of abyss (1988) and comedies . Towards the end of his career he worked in television on mini-series .

A damaged Spanish pirate ship, captained by a ruthless Christopher Lee, is forced to land on the English shore and needs local help to get her ship-shape. Hammer are best known for their horror films but the studio often diversified into other genres, here a period swashbuckler. In addition to great costumes and sets we get obvious day for night scenes, plus some questionable continuity (one scene goes from thick fog to blue sky and back to fog with seconds). Hammer's most prolific star Michael Ripper has a major role, as opposed to his usual bit parts. He doesn't make a very convincing Spaniard, with his fake tan and rural English accent. In fact, all of the Spanish pirates amazingly speak fluent English, very impressive for the 16th Century! But this is all part of the charm. Lee is very good as the ship's captain, a nasty character indeed. Hardly a Hammer classic but an enjoyable yarn none the less.

Don Sharp directed this pirate film set in 1588, where a pirate ship led by Captain Robeles(played by Christopher Lee) is fighting for the Spanish Armada against the British. Their ship is badly damaged, and must go into dock for necessary repairs before they are captured. Their only chance is to convince an isolated nearby English village that in fact, the Spanish have won the battle(and not the other way around) which they manage to do at first, but after awhile, the village men become suspicious, and begin a campaign of sabotage and resistance, in the hope that they are in fact right... Good adventure yarn with interesting premise, fine acting, and well-staged action scenes. One of the best non-horrors from Hammer studios.