Captain Blood
Errol Flynn shot to stardom as Peter Blood, a 17th-century physician turned pirate after escaping unjust political imprisonment. It was a role the handsome, sea-loving Tasmanian was born to play, and he shaped it into Hollywood's archetypal image of the adventurous hero. That he also became a romantic idol and a vision of gallantry in love is due in large part to his ideally cast co-star: radiant Olivia de Havilland in the first of their eight films together. Directed with panache by Michael Curtiz, scored with flair by Erich Wolfgang Korngold and featuring Basil Rathbone and Lionel Atwill as villains to remember, Captain Blood will skipper you on the high seas of unparalleled enjoyment.
Member Reviews
A Fun, Fun Film - GrannyGran
Captain Blood is the kind of movie that I like to pop in the VCR on a Saturday afternoon when I need a couple of hours of down time. Errol Flynn stars as Peter Blood, a doctor wrongly imprisoned who turns to piracy in the seventeenth century. Flynn was the perfect actor for a role like this, because he had the athleticism and charisma to make this character come alive, and he manages to deliver some "goofy" dialogue without making it sound "goofy". Olivia deHavilland plays his love interest (as she often did), and she's well cast as the proper, yet spunky young lady. It's hard to imagine a couple of actors more suited for each other. Physically, they look incredible together, and the chemistry between them is obvious. Their youth and energy keep the film moving, as do the well-directed action sequences, the rousing musical score, and the playful humour. There are a lot of familiar character actors in the cast, including the always great Basil Rathbone. Captain Blood is the kind of movie you don't get tired of watching, because it entertains every time.Captain Blood - CrazyCatLady
If you haven't seen Captain Blood, you need to rectify that immediately. Based on the Rafael Sabatini novel of the same name, Captain Blood tells the story of Dr. Peter Blood (Errol Flynn) who is wrongfully convicted of treason and sent to Port Royal, Jamaica, as a slave during the Monmouth Rebellion in England in 1685.
Upon his arrival in Port Royal, Dr. Peter is saved from being sent to work in the sulphur mines by the intervention of the beautiful and feisty Arabella Bishop (Olivia De Havilland), who purchases him at a slave auction when her uncle, Colonel Bishop, refuses to.
During the confusion of a Spanish attack on the town, Dr. Peter and some of his fellow slaves make their escape. Unable to return to England as they are "rebels convict", they set sail to "practice the trade of piracy on the high seas."
This is my all-time favourite pirate movie. Yes, it's better in many ways than Pirates of the Caribbean. Considering it's now 75 years old, it's very impressive. Errol Flynn is perfectly cast as the peace loving doctor-turned-pirate and the chemistry between him and Olivia (who was just 19 years old at the time) is amazing and magical. ("I believe you're talking treason." "I trust I'm not obscure.") This is the movie that launched both their careers and was the first of several (8? 9?)screen pairings between them.
Sure, I'll admit that there are some elements that date it. However, for me, it just adds to the charm of the movie.
If you're in the mood for a good old-fashioned swashbuckler, this is the movie for you.Still a classic - HaydenT
Though now 75 years old, Captain Blood remains a classic adventure tale with a dash of still relevant social commentary (the evil of slavery, the importance of the rule of law -- even pirate law). Moreover it established a set of tropes that are still being extensively used in adventure film today. The noble, intelligent (and wrongly convicted) hero rises to the top of corrupt system but never abandons his principles. A true hero he holds his men to higher standards and they respect him all the more for it. Even in vengeance he is fair and even handed. And the chemistry between Flynn and De Haviland put most modern screen romances to shame.
Member Reviews
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A Fun, Fun Film - GrannyGran
Captain Blood is the kind of movie that I like to pop in the VCR on a Saturday afternoon when I need a couple of hours of down time. Errol Flynn stars as Peter Blood, a doctor wrongly imprisoned who turns to piracy in the seventeenth century. Flynn was the ...Captain Blood - CrazyCatLady
If you haven't seen Captain Blood, you need to rectify that immediately. Based on the Rafael Sabatini novel of the same name, Captain Blood tells the story of Dr. Peter Blood (Errol Flynn) who is wrongfully convicted of treason and sent to Port Royal, Jamaica, ...Still a classic - HaydenT
Though now 75 years old, Captain Blood remains a classic adventure tale with a dash of still relevant social commentary (the evil of slavery, the importance of the rule of law -- even pirate law). Moreover it established a set of tropes that are still being ...