Captain Blood
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Movie Reviews of Captain Blood
Movie Review: A great pirate movie, and Flynn's first starring role
Summary: 5 Stars
"CAPTAIN BLOOD" is one of the great American classics, and an incredible swashbuckler. It was the movie that made Errol Flynn and Olivia De Havilland be finally recognized in Hollywood, the first time they paired together in a film, and the first time they acted together under the direction of Michael Curtiz. The story is of Dr. Peter Blood as he treats a man wounded in one of many British civil wars, and is subsequently convicted of treason against the King. Peter is sentenced to working as a slave by the side of many other convicted "criminals" in Jamaica, under the cruel authority of Colonel Bishop (Lionel Atwill). Meanwhile, Blood is romancing the beautiful Arabella Bishop (De Havilland), the Colonel's niece. He is eventually able to escape along with his friends. Blood then vows to the sail the Caribbean as a pirate - Captain Blood. His adventures are many - peaking with that great sword fight against the French pirate Levassuer (Basil Rathbone), and ending with an exciting sea battle as he returns to Port Royal to settle some old scores. The romance between De Havilland and Flynn is the first of many romances in their first of eight pictures together. The cast also includes such other excellent acting talents as J. Carrol Naish, Guy Kibbee, Ross Alexander, and Donald Meek, not to mention that the fencing is so good it would be a sin not to consider it a huge part of the movie. A great movie, one of both Flynn and De Havilland's definite best.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Theatrical Trailer
Lux Radio Theater Broadcast: February 22, 1937
"Captain Blood: A Swashbuckler is Born" Featurette
Warner Night at the Movies 1935 - hosted by Leonard Maltin with:
1. Newsreel
2. Musical Short-Johnny Green and his Orchestra
3. Comedy Short - All American Drawback
4. Billboard Frolics Cartoon
5. Theatrical Trailer for "A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM" (1935).
Also Recommended: "THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER" (1937), "THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD" (1938), "CASABLANCA" (1942), "FORT APACHE" (1948), "RIO GRANDE" (1950)
THIS REVIEW IS DEDICATED TO ANYONE, LIVING OR DEAD, INVOLVED IN THE MAKING OF "CAPTAIN BLOOD".
Movie Review: The Film that Made Errol Flynn a Star
Summary: 5 Stars
This was Errol Flynn's first big film, and he is dazzling in it. Michael Curtiz and MGM were not able to get the actors they wanted for the part of Captain Blood (at the top of the list was Robert Donat), and took an enormous risk in hiring this unknown, inexperienced young man, as the star of the film. The results are fantastic, and "Captain Blood" was a huge success, and is perhaps the best swashbuckler ever made. Olivia de Havilland had only played minor roles before her part as Arabella, the niece of the evil Col. Bishop (Lionel Atwill), and this film also established her career. She is sweet and lovely, and the scene where Blood and Arabella finally confess their love for one another is unforgettable. They make a gorgeous pair, and were to make 7 more films together.
The plot centers around a doctor (Blood), who is unfairly sentenced by a corrupt judge for being "a rebel against the king". His life is spared, and he is sent to Port Royal, Jamaica, to be sold as a slave, and after escaping, piracy becomes his only means of existence. "And thus Captain Blood began his piracy...with a ship, a handful of men, and a brain." Basil Rathbone is marvelous as the bad guy Captain Levasseur, and the swordplay on a rocky shore between Blood and Levasseur (Laguna Beach substituting for Jamaica) is superb. Others in the supporting cast include J. Carrol Naish and Guy Kibbee.
With fast paced direction by Curtiz, a stupendous debut film score by classical composer Erich Wolfgang Korngold, and cinematography by Hal Mohr, with clever use of miniatures in the seafaring scenes, this film will stand the test of time for generations to come. Nominated by the Academy for Best Picture and Sound, total running time is 120 minutes. DVD extras include an interesting featurette, with commentary by film historian Robert Osborne, among others.
Movie Review: Swashbuckling entertainment at its finest!
Summary: 5 Stars
Captain Blood is one of those films I always undervalue, which at least means that each time I see it I'm pleasantly surprised by how much better it is than I remembered. Despite the lack of action until the spectacular finale, it has a good plot and some great visuals, as you'd expect from Michael Curtiz, but a big part of the fun is watching Errol Flynn become a star before your eyes: it's easy to guess which scenes were shot during the first couple of weeks when he was still a little awkward, but the confidence, charm and vigour he brings to the part easily overshadows his few missteps, and he and Olivia De Havilland are one of those rare perfect onscreen couples. Basil Rathbone's Fronch axe-scent is so out-ray-juss that even he can't keep a straight face (he literally has to turn away from the camera at one point as he gets a fit of giggles). His swordfight with Flynn is the only real disappointment, a surprisingly flat number even if we didn't have Robin Hood to compare it with. Wonderfully entertaining on every level.
As well as being the uncut version of the film, Warners' DVD comes with an excellent array of extras too - a documentary on the making of the film, a 1937 radio adaptation, trailer and selected short subjects recreating the whole 1935 moviegoing experience.
Movie Review: One of the greatest epic films ever made!
Summary: 5 Stars
The first great feature of Errol Flynn and (at least to my mind) the role of his lifetime as well as the supreme beauty of Olivia de Havilland make of this movie a singular and reference movie in this decade.
Captain blood is one these unforgettable epic tales based on Sabatini's novel about a doctor who is forced to become a pirate. But along the story is showed, there will be many chances to know him, his real nature as human being who seriously wishes by all his means, to avoid to be considered a slave, he will the intellectual leader for the escape and will assume the authority delineated by a sort of statement of Principles among the members under his command, in order to avoid a supposed mutiny inspired by the greed or any other motive.
The admirable duel with Levesseur and his formidable audacious to undertake and even save the honor of the English Army when they are besieged in Port Royal will deserve not only a sudden achievement in his life, but besides he will find the love of his life as you and me are aware from the firsts shots.
Michael Curtiz was the same director of the charge of the light brigade so it's not unusual to think he his preferences for the epic genre.
Movie Review: Thief & pirate, but a hero all the same
Summary: 5 Stars
With pirates all the rage once more, what better time to return to one of the classic films of the genre -- and what a delight! Errol Flynn & Olivia de Havilland are a physically stunning couple, true stars in the making, and their genuine affection for one another shows in their scenes together. Basil Rathbone turns in a wonderfully over-the-top performance of leering, moustache-twirling villainy, while Lionel Atwill is smoothly & appropriately hateful as de Havilland's poisonous uncle.
There's a surprisingly small amount of full-scale action, as the film's true strength is in its depiction of the characters' emotions -- not that it drags by any means! But we get to see what drives Peter Blood & what sort of man he is. Just look at his reaction to Jeremy Pitt's flogging -- outrage, anger, a burning hunger for justice. That's what so many of Flynn's best films were about, and it's shown quite effectively here. If some of the dialogue & acting creaks just a bit, then that simply adds to the charm of the film. This is how they used to be made, and we wouldn't have it any other way!
Thoroughly rewatchable entertainment, most highly recommended!