Swashbuckler
The Grandest Pirate Movie Ever.
After rescuing his friend Nick Debrett (James Earl Jones) from execution, swaggering buccaneer Red Ned Lynch (Robert Shaw) comes to the aid of wronged noblewoman Jane Barnet.
The feisty lady is also good with a sword, and together the three attempt to free the citizens of Jamaica from the evil Lord Durant (Peter Boyle). It's treachery, romance and treasure in this entertaining action-filled high seas epic.
Member Reviews
Cheesy Fun - MovieProf
"Swashbuckler" isn't cheesy because the "Pirates of the Carribean" films came along and redefined the look and feel of the genre. It's cheesy because of the anacronistic look of the film, silly dialogue, and the poor casting at times. However, it is lots of fun.
The film stars Robert Shaw as Captain "Red" Ned Lynch and James Earl Jones as Nick Debrett, two pirates always on the lookout for a new adventure and source of income. Shaw was coming off the hugely successful "Jaws," while Jones, who had been around for a while, was about to achieve immortality as Darth Vader in 1977's "Star Wars."
As luck would have it, Jamaica is run by the corrupt, sadistic (naturally!) Lord Durant, played by Peter Boyle. Durant inprisons political enemies without trial, and executes them at will. One of these prisoners is Sir James Barnet, whose daughter, Jane (played by Canadian Geneviève Bujold) hires NEd and Nick to help secure his freedom.
"Swashbuckler" has a very distinct 70s look to it: hairstyles figure in this prominently. As well, Boyle doesn't work as well for me as the villain, porbably because not enough screen timed is devoted to him to truly show his evil nature. As well, Anjelica Huston as Woman of Dark Visage has no dialogue, and also seems undeveloped.
As for cheesy dialogue, there is plenty. Nick's lines, "No, m'lord, I'm not a fool... I'm an Irishman!" one of many silly lines in the film.
The swordfights, however, are excellent.
Look for Beau Bridges, who plays the bumbling Major Folly (pun intended) to perfection.
You could go a lot more wrong in the pirate genre than this one. For the worst of the lot, try Renny Harlin's 1995 colossal mess "Cutthroat Island," starring Geena Davis, Mathew Modine, and Frank Langella.The Grandest Pirate Movie Ever Made - mmdomega
'Beau Bridges' spent months rehearsing a trick with a horse. After he perfected it, the filmmakers decided not to shoot it. Bridges did the rehearsal for nothing.
Anjelica Houston never says a word in the movie.
Robert Shaw turns in a commanding and amused performance as Red Ned Lynch - the captain of a scurvy band of pirates including James Earl Jones as Nick and Geoffrey Holder (The UNcola guy... you remember!) as Nick's knife wielding friend, Cujo. Throw in Genevieve Bujold as the damsel in distress/female interest, add Peter Boyle as the classic slimy Governor who abuses his subjects and you've got a recipe for an entertaining hour and forty minutes! Pay attention to some of the supporting character actors and you'll see quite a few you recognize from movies and TV of the time period - Avery Schrieber, Alfie Wise and Sid Haig just to name a few. And of course, we can't forget Beau Bridges as a perfectly stiff soldier and Angelica Huston as she known only as "Woman Of Dark Visage".
Plotwise, this movie has it all - a British Governor who likes to spend his days in the bath playing with ships... a twisted little Marquis DeSade in training at his beck and call... the obligatory wronged member of the British aristocracy and his family-in-need... and of course, the moronic civil servant, Major Folly, who only wants to capture Red Ned Lynch and please The Governor.
Do yourself a favor and go rent this one for the weekend because EVERYbody needs a good pirate flick now and again.Awesome Pirate Movie! - Meathead
Great fun, lots of action, and some unusual stuff. Perhaps most amazing is the dashing Robert Shaw, 51 years old at the time, who never stops moving. Best known as the crusty old shark hunter in JAWS, Shaw adds a cheeky rawness to a high-spirited adventure movie. James Earl Jones (the voice of Darth Vader), provides the only known leading role for an African American in a pirate movie ever! Other stars abound (Anjelica Houston, Peter Boyle, etc.), but its worth it just for the amazing "over the cliff stunt" (still oft referred to in the stunt world), and the lengthy, unpredictable climactic sword fight.
Swashbucker can be corny at times, but is a satisfying movie that has very wide appeal. No swearing, no nudity, no nasty violence (not by today's standards anyway), but tons of fun. Its not necessarily designed as a family film - its not Disney-ish in any way, but it's safe for the kids. Rock on.
Member Reviews
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Cheesy Fun - MovieProf
"Swashbuckler" isn't cheesy because the "Pirates of the Carribean" films came along and redefined the look and feel of the genre. It's cheesy because of the anacronistic look of the film, silly dialogue, and the poor casting at times. However, it is lots ...The Grandest Pirate Movie Ever Made - mmdomega
'Beau Bridges' spent months rehearsing a trick with a horse. After he perfected it, the filmmakers decided not to shoot it. Bridges did the rehearsal for nothing.
Anjelica Houston never says a word in the movie.
Robert Shaw turns in a commanding ...Awesome Pirate Movie! - Meathead
Great fun, lots of action, and some unusual stuff. Perhaps most amazing is the dashing Robert Shaw, 51 years old at the time, who never stops moving. Best known as the crusty old shark hunter in JAWS, Shaw adds a cheeky rawness to a high-spirited adventure ...