Pirates in Pictures
Oi’ Mateys! Before Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) graced the screen in Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) and again in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006), there were plenty of swashbucklers and pirates who appeared in adventurous movies. What are some of film’s more infamous pirates and which movies did these scalawags appear in?
Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd (1952)
Comedy team Bud Abbott and Lou Costello starred as Rocky and Puddin’ Head, respectively. While working in
Adventures of Captain Fabian (1951)
Legendary screen actor Errol Flynn co-wrote and starred in this pirate’s adventure. The movie also starred Vincent Price as George Brissac and Agnes Moorehead as Aunt Jezebel.
Against All Flags (1952)
Errol Flynn returned in another swashbuckling adventure in “Against All Flags”. Flynn portrayed Brian Hawke, a British officer, whose mission is to join the ranks and spy on the pirates near
The Black Pirate (1926)
This silent film starred Douglas Fairbanks, Sr as a man bent on avenging the death of his father. Eventually becoming known as the Black Pirate, will vengeance at last be his? And where does Isobel (Billie Dove) fit into all this?
The Black Swan (1942)
The famed pirate Henry Morgan (Laird Cregar) is now the governor of
Blackbeard’s Ghost (1968)
Peter Ustinov played the title character who finds himself in modern times. A cursed Blackbeard finds out that the only way to save himself is to perform a good deed.
Blackbeard The Pirate (1952)
Edward Maynard (Keith Andes) poses as a doctor on Blackbeard’s (Robert Newton) ship. Onboard, Maynard meets Edwina (Linda Darnell) who is more than what she seems.
The Buccaneer (1938 and 1958)
Famed director Cecil B. DeMille brought 1938’s “The Buccaneer” to the big screen. Starring Frederic March, the movie told the story of pirate Jean Lafitte who found himself at odds with both sides during the War of 1812. In 1958, a remake was directed by Anthony Quinn and starred Yul Brynner.
The Buccaneer’s Girl (1950)
Debbie (Yvonne De Carlo) stows away on a pirate’s ship and falls for its captain, Robert Kingston (Philip Friend). What happens when she discovers his alter ego, Frederic Baptiste?
Captain Blood (1935)
Although “Captain Blood” first appeared on screen in a 1924 movie, it’s the 1935 version starring Errol Flynn that garnered the most attention. Blood (Flynn), a doctor, is wrongfully captured and sold into slavery. After escaping, he takes over his own ship in a Robin Hood-esque adventure. The movie also starred legendary actress Olivia de Haviland.
Captain Kidd (1945)
Captain Kidd (Charles Laughton) has other plans when he’s commissioned to bring a fleet of ships from
The Crimson Pirate (1952)
Burt Lancaster starred as Captain Vallo is the comedic, pirate spoof that takes place in the
Morgan Adams and Williams Shaw not only have to deal with each other but with those who are trying to beat them to the location of a hidden treasure. Geena Davis and Matthew Modine starred in the action/adventure!
The Devil-Ship Pirates (1964)
It’s the 1580s and Captain Robeles (Christopher Lee) and his crew are part of the Spanish Armada, who have just suffered defeat at the hands of the British. When they are forced to take refuge in a coastal town, the crew convinces the citizens that the Spanish were victorious and are now ruled by
Hook (1991)
Peter Pan (Robin Williams) is all grown up in this Steven Spielberg flick. When his children are taken by Captain Hook (Dustin Hoffman), it’s up to Peter Pan to save them. “Hook” also starred Bob Hoskins as Smee, Maggie Smith as an adult Wendy and Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell.
Ice Pirates (1984)
This 1984 comedy was about pirates. However, this time they’re not on the open seas but, instead, in space, where the hot commodity is water. “Ice Pirates” starred Mary Crosby, Anjelica Huston and Robert Urich.
Island (1980)
Michael Caine stars as a reporter who is investigating a crew of modern day pirates led by John David Nau (David Warner).
Long John Silver (1954)
Famed pirate Long John Silver sails for another adventure in this sequel to “
The Master Of Ballantrae (1953)
Swashbuckler Errol Flynn starred as Jamie Durie, a man of prestige. When he loses everything, Jamie turns to pirating.
Muppet
It’s up to Kermit the Frog (voice of Steve Whitmer) and the gang to save the day in this retelling of the Robert Louis Stevenson classic. Tim Curry starred in this adaptation as the pirate Long John Silver.
Peter Pan (1953 and 2003)
The boy who never grew up lives in Neverland with his nemesis Captain Hook. The animated 1953 version featured Bobby Driscoll as the voice of Peter Pan and Hans Conried as the voice of Captain Hook. The live 2003 version featured Jeremy Sumpter as Peter Pan and Jason Isaacs as Hook.
The Pirate (1948)
Judy Garland and Gene Kelly star in this comedy / musical. Serafin (Kelly) poses as a pirate to win the heart of Manuela (
Pirates of
Jonathan (Kerwin Mathews) is sent to an isolated island due to an indiscretion. However, when pirates arrive, they capture him in hopes Jonathan will lead them to a valuable treasure. “Pirates of
The Pirates of
Frederick’s (Rex Smith) life has been anything but ideal. As a boy,
Princess and the Pirate (1944)
Pirates plan to kidnap Margaret (Virginia Mayo) and hold her for ransom. It’s up to Sylvester the Great (Bob Hope) to save her!
The Princess Bride (1987)
Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright Penn) is being held by the dastardly Humperdink (Chris Sarandon). It’s up to her beloved Westley (Cary Elwes), who is now part of the Dread Pirates, to save her.
Raiders of the Seven Seas (1953)
Captain Barbarossa (John Payne) and his crew, including Peg-Leg (Lon Chaney Jr), pillage and plunder the vessels sailing the open seas. But, when he takes Countess Alida (Donna Reed) captive, he soon loses his heart to her.
Sea Devils (1953)
This adventure, based on the novel by Victor Hugo, starred Rock Hudson and Yvonne De Carlo. Gilliatt (Hudson), a smuggler, agrees to help the beautiful Droucette (De Carlo), by taking her to
Sinbad the Sailor (1947)
Douglas Fairbanks Jr. starred in the title role. The movie, which depicts eight action-packed adventures of Sinbad, co-starred Maureen O’Hara and Anthony Quinn.
Swashbuckler (1976)
A pirate, Ned Lynch (Robert Shaw) makes an unlikely alliance with Jane Barnet (Genevieve Bujold) to foil the evil Lord Durant (Peter Boyle).
Three Little Pirates (1946)
It was mayhem for the Three Stooges in this pirate caper. Larry Fine, Curly Howard and Moe Howard find trouble (and laughs) on Dead Man’s
This story by Robert Louis Stevenson has been adapted numerous times. The story tells of Long John Silver and Jim Hawkins looking for the buried loot of Captain Flint. The 1934 version starred Wallace Berry as Long John Silver, Jackie Cooper as Jim Hawkins and Lionel Barrymore as Billy Bones. Later versions would include Robert Newton and Orson Welles as Long John Silver in 1950 and 1972, respectively. 1990’s “
Yellowbeard (1983)
Yellowbeard (Graham Chapman) escapes from prison. What he doesn’t know is that he was allowed to escape in order to lead his captors to his treasure. “Yellowbeard” also starred Peter Cook, Graham’s fellow Monty Python cohorts John Cleese and Eric Idle as well as Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong.
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See Also:
War, Battles and the Military in Film
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© 2006 by Tammy Cordani. To use the above content you must first obtain written permission. Please contact Tammy Cordani. All rights reserved.