Blackbeard, the Pirate

Hollywood turned out dozens of pirate adventures in its heyday, most, such as The Black Swan, The Spanish Main, Captain Kidd etc etc, were flat and routine swashbucklers that lacked the kind of acting presence, story, and edge that made MGM's 1934 version of Treasure Island, and Warner's Captain Blood from 1935 standards of the genre. The pirate movie throughout the 40's, much like the western, was in need of something fresh.

In 1950, Robert Newton made a stalwart impression as Long John Silver in the British remake of Treasure Island, released through Disney. Though the film was not nearly as good as the '34 MGM version, Newton managed to surpass the performance of Wallace Beery's Silver, which was no easy feat as Beery was exceptional in that role.

Coming off of that success, RKO paired Newton with hit and miss director Raoul Walsh to make Blackbeard the Pirate. Newton's performance in the title role was even better than his turn in Treasure Island - a definitive portrayal of the pirate captain that continues to predominate the genre. Not a single actor from Wallace Beery to Victor McLaglen to Charles Laughton to Peter Ustinov to Dustin Hoffman to even Geoffrey Rush and Johnny Depp have managed to usurp the pure overbearing sea scenery chewing double-dealing rapscallion that is Robert Newton as Blackbeard. His performance, as brutal as it is humorous, is a joy to behold, and elevates the film to a higher level.

The film itself is not as routine as one might expect either. There is a plot going on here (albeit not exactly an airtight one), and some fine supporting performances from William Bendix (always watchable), Linda Darnell, and Keith Andes, a mostly forgotten actor who apparently could do it all in show business from sing and dance to swordfight. His cutlass battles in Blackbeard are of Flynn/Rathbone quality, but actually remind one more of the kind of swordfighting seen in Lester's The Three Musketeers 20 years later. For a film made in 1952, there is a surprising amount of gore in this as well.

Not a great story, but a good one, and entertaining throughout. Everything you'd expect from a 50's adventure on the high seas is delivered here - action, romance, blood and treachery. One of the best pirate movies of all time.

In 1674 , the ¨reformed" pirate Sir Henry Morgan (Torin Thatcher) results to be a high official in Jamaica , but he's subsequently appointed as island governor residing at an impregnable fortress . However , Edward Maynard (Keith Andes) hopes to win a huge reward by proving Morgan still dabbles in piracy . Maynard goes undercover as ship's surgeon under the famed pirate Blackbeard who is deemed to be the bravest pirate of the seven seas , along with his henchman Ben Worley (William Bendix) . As Blackbeard rolling his eyes wildly by executing enemies and charging up and down the deck (like a bearded captain Bligh). Also on the ship shows up Edwina Mansfield (gorgeous Linda Darnell) , seemingly a charming damsel in distress , to whom there's much more than meets the eye . Along the way , a loner inhabitant of a solitary island's been supplanted by infamous Blackbeard himself . They took what they wanted...and they wanted the world!.The thunder of their plundering shook the earth, the seas, the sky!

This is a fun and bewildering flick with a disconcerting and little credible story shot as a fun festival of sword-play , noisy action , fights and sea battles. The 18th-century buccaneer is given the full-blood , Hollywood treatment , being an amusing and funny adventure comedy/drama movie , being especially made for enhance the hilarious qualities of the always likeable and prestigious actor Robert Newton who steals the show as a sly pirate . Although Newton is a bit overzealous at times , but puts in an enjoyable acting . Here's an attractive pirate yarn with fine characterizations and some good action. Robert Newton revels in this yarn , his second pirate movie , going on his top-notch portrayal of Long John Silver in The Treausure Island , two years before . While the gorgeous Linda Darnell plays the damsel in distress saved by honest Edward Maynard well played by Keith Andes who finds himself serving as ship's surgeon . There are enjoyable appearance from prestigious secondaries as William Bendix , Torin Thatcher , Irene Ryan , Alan Mowbray, Richard Egan, Skelton Knaggs , Dick Wessel , Anthony Caruso and Jack Lambert.

The motion picture was professionally directed by Raoul Walsh . From his starts in the silent cinema Raoul achieved successful films until the 50s and forward , early 60s , when he was less dominant , but is still stayed lots of lusty adventure , stories of comradeship and friendship , and Raoul made the most of plentiful action scenes . He was an expert director of all kind genres but with penchant in Western as ¨Colorado territory¨ , ¨They died with their boots on¨, ¨Along the great divide¨, ¨Saskatchewan¨, ¨King and four queens¨ , ¨The sheriff of fractured jaw¨, ¨A distant trumpet¨ ; Adventure as ¨Thief of Bagdad¨, ¨Captain Horatio Hornblower¨, ¨World in his hands¨, ¨Blackbeard the pirate¨ , ¨Sea devils¨ ; Warlike as ¨Objetive Burma¨ , ¨Northern pursuit¨, ¨Marines let's go¨ ; and Noir film as ¨White heat¨, ¨High Sierra¨, ¨They drive by night¨, ¨The roaring twenties¨. Rating : 6/10 . Fairly straightforward movie . This interesting adventure and action film makes it of the finest of Raoul Walsh genre entries.

Despite the fact that Sir Henry Morgan and the infamous Edward Teach aka Blackbeard operated in different centuries and that Teach was a mere six years old when Morgan died in 1686 don't worry about historical accuracy. This is a film to be savored and enjoyed especially by those who are true devotees of ham.

Robert Newton who could also restrain himself and give good performances turns off all restraint in this rollicking and colorful pirate portrayal. He blasts everyone else off the screen, not easy to do when you consider Linda Darnell's beauty and William Bendix who usually steals the films he's in.

The plot such as it is has Keith Andes looking to obtain evidence that Henry Morgan is still a pirate after getting a King's pardon. Andes boards a ship that is commanded by the infamous Blackbeard, rival to Morgan. Newton has also taken as hostage Linda Darnell who is the governor's niece and her maid Irene Ryan. Morgan who is also played by another scene stealer Torin Thatcher, is real interested in Darnell and he's held at bay somewhat by Newton having her as hostage.

Newton is a guy who thinks fast on his feet and is not above double crossing his own crew. That's something he does once too often as it turns out.

Once seen you will absolutely never forget Newton as Blackbeard, you will be unconsciously mimicking him for weeks.

This is not a movie of great measure. It's just a VERY good showcase for the ultimate pirate actor, Robert Newton, who fits the role so perfectly as to become THE pirate to be imitated in every pirate movie to follow. He is the centerpiece of this film, make no mistake about that. Every scene belongs to him and every word of dialogue he speaks is the learning base for future "pirates" of the silver screen.

Not a Newton fan? Steer clear, then Matey, because this movie is his and his alone. Not even the beautiful Linda Darnell can distract from him in any scene they share. He is an overpowering and magnetic force when he plays his pirate to perfection.

AWWWWWRRRRRRRRRR.

Being a big fan of the man I enjoyed this movie thoroughly. I find his acting to be natural and amusing. This is his niche and here he rules.

This is a lot of fun,but is not for those who insist on subtle acting.Newton has the time of his life as a drunken psychotic.He really does go over the top.The dialogue is rather good,all things being considered,and the plot is better than one might have expected.There are only 3 or 4 loose ends.Darnell,Andese,and Thatcher all do quite well with their roles,and the pirates are as grisly a crew of jackals as you could imagine.(Gilly,in particular,not only acts well,but is nicely creepy,besides.)The only major disappointment is bendix;this fine performer wasn't suited for costume dramas.A good picture for kids ages 12 and under,or for those with a broad sense of humor.