SnoopyStyle It's 17th century. Edward Teach is the feared pirate Blackbeard. The English Crown has sent reformed pirate Sir Henry Morgan against him and the other pirates. Not everyone is convinced of Morgan's conversion. Pirate Charles Bellamy arrives in Port Royal and Robert Maynard hopes to catch him with Morgan. He pretends to be the new shipboard surgeon only to find Blackbeard as the captain. Blackbeard takes Edwina Mansfield prisoner who is hiding a secret treasure.I don't have the best print of this and the Technicolor makes this feel even older. It's all very old fashion. The sets and the directing are all static. Robert Newton is playing Blackbeard for all he's worth. Keith Andes is a stiff pretty boy leading man. Linda Darnell has ample bosoms. The action has limited visceral tension. It's an old pirate movie from the backlots of Hollywood.

bkoganbing Despite the fact that Sir Henry Morgan and the infamous Edward Teach aka Blackbeard operated in different centuries and that Teach was a mere six years old when Morgan died in 1686 don't worry about historical accuracy. This is a film to be savored and enjoyed especially by those who are true devotees of ham.Robert Newton who could also restrain himself and give good performances turns off all restraint in this rollicking and colorful pirate portrayal. He blasts everyone else off the screen, not easy to do when you consider Linda Darnell's beauty and William Bendix who usually steals the films he's in.The plot such as it is has Keith Andes looking to obtain evidence that Henry Morgan is still a pirate after getting a King's pardon. Andes boards a ship that is commanded by the infamous Blackbeard, rival to Morgan. Newton has also taken as hostage Linda Darnell who is the governor's niece and her maid Irene Ryan. Morgan who is also played by another scene stealer Torin Thatcher, is real interested in Darnell and he's held at bay somewhat by Newton having her as hostage.Newton is a guy who thinks fast on his feet and is not above double crossing his own crew. That's something he does once too often as it turns out.Once seen you will absolutely never forget Newton as Blackbeard, you will be unconsciously mimicking him for weeks.

chuck-reilly Raoul Walsh's 1952 film "Blackbeard the Pirate" doesn't strive for any historical accuracy, but it's high in the entertainment category and one of the best of its kind. Robert Newton has literally a "field day" as Blackbeard and he set the standard for all future screen pirates. His famous "AAARRGGGG" is a crucial part of the dialog and Newton uses the expression for all its worth. Along for the ride are lovers Keith Andes and Linda Darnell; she's a captive and he's her rescuer. The rest of the plot revolves around Blackbeard and his men wreaking havoc in the Caribbean while kicking butt and taking names. But it's tough work with a woman like Ms. Darnell aboard ship. Lovely Linda displays plenty of cleavage and is so "top heavy" that it's a wonder she doesn't sink several frigates. Also in the cast is William Bendix ("The Life of Riley") as a pirate with a Brooklyn accent, but he fits right in with Blackbeard's motley crew. It's all done with flair and style under the guidance of Walsh who was one of Hollywood's best action directors. The final end to Blackbeard's reign of terror is befitting for the man and the movie. It's an image that will stay with viewers (particularly young ones) for a long time. Suffice to say that Blackbeard receives something a lot worse than "water-boarding."

lost-in-limbo Within the 17th century a reformed pirate known as Sir Henry Morgan is given the role of governor in Jamaica and the job of ridding the ocean of Blackbeard the pirate. A young surgeon Edward Maynard believes Morgan is still a pirate and takes the assignment of becoming part of Blackbeard's crew to get his large award and hopefully take care of these two men. Blackbeard manages to kidnap Morgan's adopted daughter Edwina Mansfield, and now Maynard has his hands full if he wants to complete his mission.Arrrrrrr. I could throw around some pirate lingo, but it looks like everyone was having a jolly good time on this colourfully swashbuckling pirate romp from director Raoul Welsh. This one feels like its parodying the whole set-up and including the clichés we've come to associate with pirates. We get double-crossings, greedy intentions, gallant sword fights, a bathing beauty, treasure chests and rum to name a few. Alan LeMay's enthusiastically crackling script (off DeVallen Scott's story) covers it all and offers some clever surprises with plenty of tooting drama to boot. The romance sub-plot comes off quite stuffy though and a few plot holes do work there way in. Welsh's lively direction makes sure something is always happening and never lets it flag about with focused photography. Scenes are well delivered and vigorously active, despite that it comes across more stagy than one big adventure packed outing. Surprisingly for its time (very tame now) it can be terribly violent and vulgar in its actions and the pirates (good casting I might add) look and act truly scum. The bellowing musical score gets into the spirit and the Technicolor format brings many vibrant flushes to make-shift sets. What's most captivating is Robert Newton's bawdily fiery and over-the-top turn as Blackbeard. His probably the most memorable thing out of this and what lifts it from the average crowd. A true scene stealer, that still leaves his mark when his not even on the screen and very much influential performance for latter pirate flicks. A goofy William Bendix is equally as enjoyable in a broad sense as his first mate. Linda Darnell looks irresistibly magnetic and grand, but is not offered too much. Keith Andes is acceptable, but is very much overshadowed as Edward Maynard. Torin Thatcher, Irene Ryan and Skelton Knaggs give capable support."Blackbeard the Pirate" is far from flawless, but definitely an entertaining foray my matey.