On 2009-12-23 Alberto M. Barral, new york wrote: 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!. And summed up by saying Ultimate Masterpiece of Swashbuckler Genre. Currently The Black Pirate has an overall rating of 8 over 10.
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Douglas Fairbanks claimed This quintessential swashbuckler presents fairbanks as a nobleman who infiltrates a band of pirates. Studio: Kino International Release Date: 02/03/2004 Starring: Douglas Fairbanks Run time: 88 minutes Director: Albert Parker
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