Anne of the Indies

This is one of several period sea-faring yarns of its era, which has the added distinction (although not in itself unique) of a female buccaneer at its center. At first, both leads – Jean Peters and Louis Jourdan – might seem miscast but they grow nicely into their roles eventually, thanks no doubt to the talented players (Herbert Marshall, Thomas Gomez and James Robertson Justice) who support them. Velvety-voiced Marshall is uncharacteristically cast as the ship’s obligatory philosophical lush of a doctor, and Gomez is suitably larger-than-life as Blackbeard The Pirate.

The cast is completed by Debra Paget as Jourdan’s wife, who incurs the jealous rage of the tomboyish titular character in whom Jourdan instills the first pangs of love (which, however, does not spare him the occasional flogging or sword-wound); incidentally, the film was the second exotic teaming of Jourdan and Paget in one year, following Delmer Daves’ BIRD OF PARADISE. The direct result of this unexpected softening of Anne’s character is her falling out with Blackbeard’s crew, and her unlikely climactic sacrifice in order to save the lives of the stranded Jourdan, Paget and Marshall.

While the film is not a particularly outstanding example of its type, Jacques Tourneur’s energetic direction and Franz Waxman’s grandiose score ensure an above-average effort that moves along at a brisk pace; incidentally, Tourneur had already done service in the genre with the superior Burt Lancaster vehicle, THE FLAME AND THE ARROW (1950). As usual with vintage Technicolor productions, the cinematography gives the film a sumptuousness that is invigorating. By the way, differing running-times are given for this film (81 or 87 minutes) and, for the record, the version I watched was the shorter one.

Cool effort at a big-budgeted retro-adventure about a highly regarded pirate , who results to be a woman : Anne Bonnie , or Captain Providence , a notorious sea-dog lady . Thrilling and moving adventure about pirates of the Caribbean with Anne Bonnie (Jean Peters) , a pirate woman on the high seas who navigates along with his crew : her second-in-command (James Robertson Justice) , a drunk doctor (Herbert Marshall) and other underlings . During a ship attack , Anne ¨Providence¨ meets the French Pierre LaRochelle (Louis Jourdan) , but she spares his life from walking the plank . Rochelle teams up with the group of pirates , as he signs on as a seaman and she is increasingly drawn to him , a feeling that seems to be mutual . When famous Captain Blackbeard (Thomas Gomez who has a high old time and steals the show as the fearsome buccaneer), her preceptor in the ways of pirating , sets eyes on LaRochelle he recalls him as a French navy officer and then things go awry . Shortly after , Anne is double-crossed and she , then , seeks vengeance in the Dead man's cay .

Storming , moving spectacular saga of history's fabulous pirate queen with lots of derring do . This lusty pirate drama has plenty of punch and pace , emotion , as well as amusement . The action and fencing scenes are choreographed with an unity and surge of which all the best Hollywood filmmakers would have been proud . Combination of overwhelming battle ships , sword-play and full of villainy , romance , swashbuckler and heroism . ¨Anne of the Indies¨ contains enough swashbuckling for half-a-dozen pirate films . This picture is fast-moving , exciting , stirring and thrilling right up to the almost climatic final confrontation between two fabulous ships captained by Anne and Blackbeard . Intelligently budgeted using miniature sets and ship shots from other films when possible . Enjoyable script by Philip Dunne and Arthur Caesar who give several stirring and buccaneering elements , including a love story , jealousy , treason and subsequently , revenge . Nice acting by Jean Peters as the dashing and highly regarded heroine figure , a gorgeous lady buccaneer who stands up in this rousing adventure . Jean Peters sadly lost to the big screen when she married billionaire-recluse Howard Hughes ; she starred some successful films as ¨Apache¨, ¨Broken lance¨ and ¨Niagara¨. Fine , handsome Louis Jourdan as a former captain who uses his cunning in order to recover his ship impounded by the British . Debra Paget is given the opportunity to show both spirit and a lovely wardrobe . Very good support cast in this historical/pirate/adventure tale of heroism and swordplay , standing out the followers support actors : Thomas Gomez as a really villainous buccaneer , James Robertson Justice , Sean McClory Carleton Young and special mention for Herbert Marshall as good-natured but drunken doctor . Furthermore , this bright and lively swashbuckler packs an evocative cinematography by Harry Jackson . Admirable Technicolor photography is effective particularly in the breathtaking naval battle scenes . This story of piracy in the Caribbean displays an original and impressive musical score by Franz Waxman .

This sparky pirate adventure was well directed by talented filmmaker Jacques Tourneur . Production Company Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation achieved a considerable hit to match the pace and technical standard of the best Hollywood pirate movies . This film turns to be a classic pirate movie along with other vintage movies , such as : ¨Captain Blood¨ by Michael Curtiz with Error Flynn , ¨Sea Hawk¨ by Curtiz with Errol Flynn , ¨The black swan¨ by Henry King with Tyrone Power , ¨Treasure island¨ by Victor Fleming with Wallace Beery , ¨Blackbeard¨ by Raoul Walsh with Robert Newton , among others . Rating : 7/10 , above average pirate movie , entertaining as well as stirring stuff that provides audience amusement . Enjoyable production packs enough thrills , breathtaking sea battles , tempestuous romance and exciting situations for a good time . It will appeal to pirate movies aficionados .

Anne of the Indies is good, clean, old fashioned pure entertainment. Pity that Hollywood doesn't make films like this anymore.....

WARNING : Please,DON'T READ this comment if you have never seen this movie,as it can reveal some crucial points of the plot,but I needed to speak about these points in order to express my idea.

Anne of the Indies is one of my favourite movies.On my point of view,the central theme is the impossibility for a woman to live her own identity as a woman.She is trapped in a male identity,being grown up under Blackbeard's school: sword,ships and pirates.

When she falls in love for the first time,she is unable to express female feelings she feels.She almost ridiculise herself for her love,a new experience,and her own humiliation is exceptionally well acted by Jean Peters.Her desperation became more evident as the film goes on,above all when she has to admit herself her own sorrow after having been betrayed(this betrayal is a terrible event which destroys her under-construction female identity) and she is forced to admit her own weakness she has always tried to hide with a splendid use of her sword.

The final scene with Blackbeard planting his sword on the ship floor is fantastic,because he does just the same act that every person who understand the dramatic situation of Anne-Captain Providence would have done.I find this a marvellous movie,almost perfect:the only scene I don't like too much is the very last,when the name of her ship is cancelled from the register of outlaw ships:on my point of view,Tourneur made an error to show her again.It would have been more effective if the last time we look at her was just when she cries to Blackbeard "Come and take me,old pirate"(I base myself on the italian dubbing).

A moving film,which reminds me of the powerful acting of equally desperate Ella Raines in "Tall in the Saddle".

Anne of the Indies is one of my favourite movies.On my point of view,the central theme is the impossibility for a woman to live her own identity as a woman.She is trapped in a male identity,being grown up under Blackbeard's school: sword,ships and pirates.

When she falls in love for the first time,she is unable to express female feelings she feels.She almost ridiculise herself for her love,a new experience,and her own humiliation is exceptionally well acted by Jean Peters.Her desperation became more evident as the film goes on,above all when she has to admit herself her own sorrow after having been betrayed (this betrayal is a terrible event which destroys her under-construction female identity) and she is forced to admit her own weakness she has always tried to hide with a splendid use of her sword. The final scene with Blackbeard planting his sword on the ship floor is fantastic,because he does just the same act that every person who understand the dramatic situation of Anne-Captain Providence would have done.

I find this a marvellous movie,almost perfect:the only scene I don't like too much is the very last,when the name of her ship is cancelled from the register of outlaw ships:on my point of view,Tourneur made an error to show her again.It would have been more effective if the last time we look at her was just when she cries to Blackbeard "Come and take me,old pirate"(I base myself on the italian dubbing).

A moving film,which reminds me of the powerful acting of equally desperate Ella Raines in "Tall in the Saddle".