Il fantasma del pirata Barbanera

The new Godolphin College track coach, Steve Walker, spends his first night in town at Blackbeard's Inn where he inadvertently summons the ghost of Blackbeard. Blackbeard is cursed to roam through limbo, making life miserable for Walker in the process, unless he can do one good deed to send him on his way to the other side. Helping Godolphin win the big track meet (and saving the Inn in the process) might just be the good deed he needs.

The 60s and early 70s were a prime-time for live action Disney movies like Blackbeard's Ghost. These were good, clean, family films with real actors, real stories, and real comedy. I hadn't seen it in years and maybe it's a nostalgia thing for me, but I found it just as entertaining and fun as ever. A lot of the comedy may be the obvious slapstick type, but it works nonetheless. The entire track meet is a hoot. I suppose my favorite bit may have been the baton pass mix-up during the relay race. Pretty funny stuff. The acting in Blackbeard's Ghost is first rate. Ustinov is very good as Blackbeard. His overacting is exactly what the role calls for. Everyman Dean Jones and the stunning Suzanne Pleshette make the perfect Disney couple. You can't help but root for them. Finally, Elsa Lanchester steals every scene she appears in. A couple of times I found her laugh-out-loud funny. It's a nice cast. Throw in the rousing, very Disney-esque Heart of Oak pirate sing-a-long and you've got a winner.

I doubt a movie like Blackbeard's Ghost would be made today. Ustinov doesn't come close to the image Disney's promoting these days. Too bad, because today's kids and families are missing out.

8/10

This Ustinov performance is one of the few I saw of him. The amazing ease and wit with which he performs is admirable. Who would have thought that a classic role such as a pirate could be filled in with such dignity. The story itself is a patchwork of silly situations all centring around the fund raising for a group of old ladies. The whole cast is up for a good laugh (I suspect Ustinov has something to do with this) and this gives the movie some swagger. The sets and effect used in the movie are amateurish, BUT this is what makes the movie all the more gullible. Although this might at first seem a movie to be seen on TV on a rainy Saturday afternoon, I recommend you go to the videostore and enjoy it on a Friday night before you go out.

While silly and over-the-top at times, this film is a lot of fun. My main problem though with "Blackbeard's Ghost" though is that it is tad too long by 10 minutes. But it is hugely enjoyable entertainment for the whole family, with some nice costumes and cinematography. Also a vast majority of the jokes are very funny, the intriguing plot is along the lines of "The Canterville Ghost" and the performances are spirited. Peter Ustinov, a great actor, makes a very lively lead who is condemned to wander in limbo until he performs a good deed, and Dean Jones also does a good job. Elsa Lanchester almost steals the film though, as one of the ladies he must save from gambling gangsters. Overall, while not perfect, it is enjoyable and worth watching. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Disney veteran Dean Jones plays Steve Walker, the new track coach at Godolphin College, who comes to stay at an inn owned by sweet old ladies who claim to be descended from Blackbeard the pirate. Well, later that night, Steve manages to conjure into being the title character (Peter Ustinov), who's been "living" under a curse. Blackbeard becomes determined to do one "good" thing after all of the cutthroat mayhem he instigated while alive, while driving Steve (the only person who can see and hear the pirate) right up the wall.

"Blackbeard's Ghost" is fairly amusing, if somewhat overlong, Disney fare that's pretty good family / comedy / fantasy entertainment. It's full of the expected slapstick, as Blackbeard interferes in a pivotal track meet and makes fools out of the minions of mobster Silky Seymour (Joby Baker). But the real driving force of the movie is the chemistry between Jones and Ustinov. The latter is a hoot, taking an off the wall approach to playing this legendary scoundrel: sometimes he can be annoying, even whiny. Jones also has very fine chemistry with his leading lady, Suzanne Pleshette (who plays Jo Anne Baker, a professor at the college). The special effects are generally decent, and an undeniable highlight is when Steve and Blackbeard have a reckless automobile ride through the local environs. And the supporting cast features a number of familiar faces who all get their chance to make an impact: Elsa Lanchester as the dotty Emily Stowecroft, the perfectly slimy Baker as the villain, Elliott Reid as an excitable announcer, Richard Deacon as the college dean, Kelly Thordsen as a cop, Michael Conrad as the football coach, George Murdock as an official, Hank Jones as the bright-eyed Gudger Larkin, and Ned Glass as a teller.

Overall, the movie is pleasant to watch, generating decent laughs as the harried Steve is unable to deal with this persistent new nuisance in his life, and is afraid of how crazy he looks in the eyes of others. He must learn how to make his peace with Blackbeard, and realizes that he does, in fact, need him. And the irrepressible Blackbeard does acclimatize himself enough to this strange new world.

Six out of 10.

This was a movie that brought back good memories. Our family went to see it at the theater back in the 70's.

It is a good story, with a few scenes that are very funny.

Dean Jones has the lead (of course), and Suzanne Pleshette is also very good. Peter Ustinov, is a great pirate for the kids to enjoy.

A good Disney movie, and a great family movie.