The Black Pirate
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Movie Reviews of The Black Pirate
Movie Review: Good film, very good extras
Summary: 5 Stars
If this DVD had had just the film itself, I would have given it 4 stars, but the extras push it up to 5 stars for me. The film does move a bit slowly, begins kind of in media res, has a rather thin plot, and has some holes in what little narrative plot there is, but it's still packed with the great swashbuckling and action-adventure one expects in a Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., film. He's in top form here, be it in a fight with both swords and rapiers, swinging from ropes, swimming, or effortlessly sliding down several huge sail masts while holding onto a knife slicing its way down the masts. It doesn't hurt that the film is in two-strip Technicolor, although that early color process didn't have an extraordinarily wide color spectrum. Still, limited color spectrum or not, Doug looks even more gorgeous in color. He was never regarded as a particularly gifted actor, but he was so popular because of how fun and exciting he was to watch, and really made up for his lack of a *great* acting ability with his amazing charisma, screen presence, his exciting personality, and his indisputed talent when it came to swashbuckling, physical action, stunts, and everything else about this genre he personified.
Though the plot does seem rather thin, it's pointed out in the audio commentary that it was intended that way. This film is supposed to be a series of situations and episodes, not one long solid narrative with a clearly-defined beginning, middle, and end. We open as a bunch of pirates are taking over an enemy ship and preparing to blow it up, with its tied-up crew still on board. Doug's character, the self-proclaimed "Black Pirate" (the only character who seems to have a name is MacTavish), and his dying father are the only survivors of the attack, but soon after he has carried his father onto the beach of some island, he discovers in horror and heartbreak that he's dead. He has just vowed revenge when the pirates responsible come onto the island themselves to bury some treasure; approaching them, he asks to join their company, and defeats their captain in a swordfight. For some reason, the pirates accept him as one of their own even though he's not only a stranger but has also just killed their own captain. (The pirate ship he joins is literally overflowing with pirates; one wonders where all of them fit on that ship.) He then proves his worth further by capturing a ship single-handed, and hatches the brilliant idea to hold the ship for a hefty ransom until noon the next day. To ensure the ransom will be paid up, he suggests they hold hostage the princess they found hiding down in the lower level of the ship with her maid. Of course, the Black Pirate ends up falling love with the princess (Billie Dove, who doesn't really have much to do but look scared) at first sight and decides to let her go in the night. However, one of the other pirates has his sights on her too, and feels she's his because he drew the short strand of rope when he and some of his friends were arguing over which one should get her. Things get even more complicated when he gets caught and has to face the wrath of most of the other pirates, and all while the ransom still hasn't been paid on the captured ship.
Though perhaps not Fairbanks's greatest film, it's still fun to watch and an action-packed suspenseful adventure all of the way through. The audio commentary by Rudy Behlmer adds a lot to it, and covers subjects such as the history of color in motion pictures (starting back in the 1890s with hand-colored films), the main stars of the picture, the shooting of the film, the history of pirate films, and bits of trivia, such as how the woman Doug kisses and embraces in the long shot near the end was actually Mary Pickford and not Billie Dove, since Mary didn't like her husband kissing other women in his films, at least not on the mouth (Billie Dove does kiss him on the cheek in an earlier scene). There are also 19 minutes of outtakes and behind the scenes footage with more commentary by Mr. Behlmer, as well as production stills that also have commentary. (Certain comments made by Mr. Behlmer during the audio commentary indicate that this commentary was originally done on a double-sided laser disc edition of this film, with the second half of the film, and the extras, on the other side.) Additionally, the soundtrack is actually the one that was originally written for the film back in 1926, so it's not just a generic piano or organ or a modern-day reinterpretation of what the best score for the film should be. (I generally don't have a problem with modern music being used to score silents, but I know a lot of purists hate it and prefer scores to be as close to the original music as possible.) Once again Kino has put together a spectacular DVD of a classic.
Movie Review: Ultimate Masterpiece of Swashbuckler Genre
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie show Douglas Fairbanks at his very best, in top form as an astonishing athlete of great abilities and a natural facility of movement that has not been surpassed to this day.
His swordsmanship is first rate in his very first duel and later on in the extra features you can discover that his opponent was actually a good swordsman. This is the type of quality that totally disappeared from later pirate films, this is the creme de la creme of the action hero films and a must-see for all interested in this genre.
There is no other movie of this genre that manages to have a more perfect, believable supporting cast. All the other pirates around Douglas are attractive, mostly shirtless, tattoed and rugged, always carrying weapons or heavy bundles that show off their muscled bodies to advantage. This is the male version of the Zigfield Follies if there ever was one, and the accidental homoeroticism of these scenes would surely guarantee the movie immortality for an alternative audience.The way the crowds move in this movie is a total miracle of choreography, not an angle is wasted, and are as much a pleasure to watch as Douglas' stunts which are perfection at all times, but particularly running down a sail with his knife as support.
Also because this is one of the first technicolor films, it has the special attraction of seeing the early color techniques, which are excellent. This is the only movie in which the ship looks believable in the wood tones and details of the materials, and the same applies to the costumes. If you want to compare how badly it all was done later see this film back to back with "The Black Swan" (1942) and note how a full generation later they thought that costumes of this period were as exagerated and outlandish as could be expected of Halloween outfits. Anders Randolf is perfect and subtle as the evil pirate Captain.Billie Dove is demure and classically beautiful as the kidnapped princess Isobel, perpetually lifting her delicate hand to her clenched teeth in grandiloquent despair and Donald Crisp asMacTavish is the perfect comical sidekick for Douglas.
A masterpiece that must be seen again and again, buy, do not rent this wonderful movie!
Movie Review: THE MASTERPIECE
Summary: 5 Stars
This adventure of a film has been described several times and what an adventure it is!
So how about the dvd? As usual the `KINO` badge is synonymous with the highest quality discs from the finest surviving 35mm material.
This is an awe inspiring transfer from the early beautiful two colour technicolor 35mm master. With the original score as played in theatres re-recorded in digital stereo, watching this film is a wonderous experience and the way `silent` films should be enjoyed. Kino increasingly including more and more interesting extras for new releases makes them even more exciting!
Movie Review: It may be of interest...
Summary: 5 Stars
I thought it may be of interest to those who have seen this film, and those who are thinking of seeing it, and as no one has yet mentioned it, that it seems obviously apparent that the film is based on the book of the same name by MacBurney Gates. I, myself, have only read the book and the previous reviews of this film, so I cannot say how well the book has been portrayed on the screen. But, as the book was quite enjoyable, I can say that my interest has certainly be caught, and I hope to see it sometime soon.Movie Review: Historic but not so much fun as other Fairbanks films
Summary: 4 Stars
This is the oldest surviving three color film. That is film the stuff in the camera I am talking about. So the reason it gets published now is for historical interest in film methods. The story is OK, but the image quality is not so hot. This isn't Kino's fault - the film was in poor condition with many scratches. Finding a color print was very a coup, but that particular print was not in perfect condition.
As usual Fairbanks does nifty stunts, including an underwater attack on a ship, but he does this in many other movies which hold up better today. The plot here is the usual action stunts and all around good movie, but once again film quality was distracting for me.
This movie is unlikely to appeal to most. Unless you are specifically interested in the color film process you will likely be bored. University libraries should consider archiving this. Film students may want to view this movie for its historical importance and to get a glimpse of what technology was available in the mid-20's. By the way regarding film quality I want to reiterate that Kino does excellent restorations of silent movies. I am sure that they have done what they could here and done a good job, but starting from a film that needed more restoration. The fact that this film is available at all is very cool and Kino is a great source for silent movies.
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