Le trésor de Barbe-Noire

The recent popularity of Captain Jack Sparrow as essayed by Johnny Depp in several films gave someone at Hallmark Channel the idea of making a movie about the real deal on whom Jack Sparrow is based. That would be on Edward Teach known down in history and legend as Blackbeard. But sad to say that not only is Angus MacFayden competing against Depp on the big screen, but also against an actor gone from us since 1957, but one who made the role of Blackbeard truly his own.

Robert did a wonderful film about the demise of Blackbeard back in 1952 and no doubt Johnny Depp must have studied that portrayal intensely because he got so much of it in Jack Sparrow. It's not Angus MacFayden's fault, but next to Newton giving one of the great pork product performances in a role that called for it, MacFayden taking it down a notch was disappointing.

Young British naval lieutenant Mark Umbers is given orders straight from the Admiralty in London. Find out about this Blackbeard guy and take him however and trust no one in your mission because we don't know who is in with Blackbeard. This he does. Along the way he has to rescue Jessica Chastain, ward of British Island governor Richard Chamberlain who has plans for her that neither she or Umbers is in favor of.

This version of Blackbeard is all right, but once you've seen Robert Newton you can't settle for anything else.

I didn't realize until caught "Captain Blood" on TCM last night and found myself listening to the same exact lines. I thought to myself..I swear I saw this moving before in color;then I realized when I researched on IMDb that it was Black Beard I watched. I was disappointed that IMDb didn't point out it was a remake of Captain Blood. The writer's for Black Beard didn't go far for lines they literally took lines from the classic original "Captain Blood". Watch Captain Blood. What is wrong with this world. No imagination at all. Every movie you watch these days is a remake of an original. Sometimes that remake it over and over again. We really need to start giving credit where credit is due. Especially when these movies are being nominated for awards and the writers are copying them.

This movie is LOOSELY based on the actual history of Blackbeard. Some of the events that happen in the movie are taken right from history, even if they are set in a different location. Either way, it's very entertaining. The main plot as well as the sub-plots offer excitement and intrigue, as well as romance. The fight scenes are well done and the whole story in general seemed plausible enough to me. My husband usually doesn't like historical movies but he said this one kept him on the edge of his seat. The one complaint I had is that some of the scenes are shot in dark locations and it makes it very hard to see on screen. I understand that they were trying to keep it as real as possible, but it does no good when you can't even tell what's going on.

I don't claim to be an expert on Blackbeard, in fact like many of us I really have just a basic understanding of who he was. Not a passing understanding mind you, that would be basically be knowing that he was a pirate and maybe knowing his real name was Edward Teach. A basic understanding would mean knowing the name of the ship he's associated with the most (Queen Anne's Revenge, which was a French ship he captured and renamed), he's associated with the then English colony of North Carolina among other places, that the governor of the colony of Virginia sent Maynard after him because the governor of NC was to friendly with him. Things of that nature.

Now knowing these things, when I saw ads for this movie I was eagerly anticipating this movie. I knew it wasn't going to stick strictly to the facts, what historical movie does? But I expected them to be much more of a guideline than what was presented. Yet for the most part the facts were thrown out the window to present us with a movie that should have been called "The Hunt for Kidd's Treasure." Because that's really what this movie was about, finding Captain Kidd's treasure.

In that they could have used practically any pirate to be alive at any point after Kidd's death. Not only that, they could have created a pirate or said forget the pirates and just use anyone wishing to find the treasure. For that matter they could have set it at just about any time after his death, even today. But by using Blackbeard they ensured there would be a built in audience.

As a movie by itself, if one heavily ignores the director and screenwriter playing fast and loose with history, it's mildly entertaining. The intrigue coming in two ways, firstly Blackbeard and Maynard's interaction in searching for the treasure together, secondly the corrupt governor of an apparent colony in the Caribbean as he looks to hide his truth from his adopted daughter and his citizens. Maynard apparently is sent to deal with Blackbeard by someone else entirely and essentially ends up shanghaied into the pirate's crew, where he hides his real nature, and rather successfully until the time comes for him to save some folks. Meanwhile, the governor and his essentially second in command have been working with pirates for a while now and are willing to team up with Blackbeard so as to get their share of his prizes. Unfortunately for them his adopted daughter falls for Maynard and becomes suspicious of what they are up too.

RELEASED IN 2005 and directed by Kevin Connor, "Blackbeard" is a two-part TV film from Hallmark loosely based on the exploits of the infamous pirate Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard (born circa 1680 and died November 22, 1718).

Although "Blackbeard" features real-life people and other items, like the ship Queen Anne's Revenge and Blackbeard's relationship with the governor, the story is essentially fictional. Those knowledgeable about the life of Blackbeard should know this up front otherwise it will ruin their experience. Still, even though this is a fictional story, the film IS realistic in its presentation of the basic Caribbean pirate lifestyle. Not to mention, it successfully captures the spirit of Blackbeard.

One thing that turns me off to pirate flicks like "Pirates of the Caribbean" (all of them) and "Cutthroat Island" (1995) is that they feature such a goofy, unbelievable vibe that the viewer can't take the stories seriously for more than a few moments. Well, you don't have to worry about that with "Blackbeard" because, again, this is a believable portrayal of the pirate lifestyle. The film certainly helps the viewer catch a glimpse of what it must have been like to be a pirate back in that era, the 1600s-1700s.

In regards to the historical inaccuracies of the story, how much do we really know about Blackbeard and the many adventures he experienced? Did he have a personal scribe with him detailing every detail of his life and misadventures? Of course not. The story in "Blackbeard" features events that very well COULD have happened to him and other pirates of the era. In light of all this, I don't get the rigid criticisms about the supposed lack of historical accuracy. Besides, the overrated "Braveheart" (1995) is hailed as a masterpiece, but is it historically accurate? Please (Mel Gibson portrayed Wallace as the next thing to Jesus Christ himself).

Although this is a TV flick with a small budget compared to major theatrical releases, it is comparable in spirit to films like "Last of the Mohicans" (1992) and "The Count of Monte Cristo" (2002). So if you enjoy adventure movies like these you'll likely appreciate "Blackbeard," as long as you can handle the TV budget.

Regarding the major characters, Angus Macfadyen does a good job in bringing Blackbeard to life; Richard Chamberlain is effective as the foppish aristocratic villain; Mark Umbers is a great masculine and noble protagonist; and Jessica Chastain is a fine choice as the adopted daughter of the governor of New Providence (Chamberlin).

Redheaded Jessica certainly attractive but not drop-dead gorgeous, which isn't a problem since these types of women almost always outshine the ultra-hot babes anyway (less outward beauty often creates greater inward beauty, although there are exceptions). In the second half of the film there are scenes where Blackbeard & his motley crew have Jessica captive as they camp in the jungle and there are some shots of Jessica that are absolutely stunning. Somehow the jungle brings out her enchanting beauty.

The story takes place in the Caribbean but the film was shot in Thailand. Although I would have preferred the real Caribbean, these locations are certainly magnificent. It's just that the real New Providence isn't hilly as depicted. Also, there weren't any Asian people living in the West Indies during that time period, general speaking.

BOTTOM LINE: If you're in the mood for a realistic pirate adventure and don't mind the limitations of TV productions, you can't go wrong with "Blackbeard." If you want pirates, Caribbean Islands, the Royal Navy, hidden treasures, corrupt officials, jungle adventure, ship battles, caves, castaways and damsels you can't go wrong with "Blackbeard." It's the best pirate film I've seen (not that I've seen many) and is superior to goofy fantasy dreck like "Pirates of the Caribbean," not to mention more compelling than "Master and Commander" (2003), although it's nowhere near as good as "Mutiny on the Bounty" (1962) or "The Bounty" (1984).

THE MOVIE RUNS 2 hours, 49 minutes (both parts combined). WRITER: Bryce Zabel.

GRADE: B/B- (6.5/10)