GamerTab
That was an excellent one.
Unlimitedia
Sick Product of a Sick System
Allison Davies
The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.
Ginger
Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.
Uriah43
After capturing an English warship through sheer cunning and imagination "Captain Vallo" (Burt Lancaster) makes a deal with one of his prisoners named "Baron Jose Gruda" (Leslie Bradley) that he will capture a prominent rebel leader and hand him over for a price. Unfortunately, things don't go exactly as planned and Captain Vallo is forced to come up with new ideas as everything unravels. Now, rather than reveal any more of the story and risk ruining the film for those who haven't seen it, I will just say that this is the type of movie that was probably ideal for the local drive-in or a Saturday matinée when it first played on the big screen. I say this because it is a light-hearted action movie with plenty of humor which was well-suited for a family night out and the kids probably loved it. However, I don't think it has aged well and I further believe that those who are looking for something a bit more serious will probably be a bit disappointed. Again, those who prefer films showcasing style over substance may enjoy this movie. Conversely, those who prefer more realism may need to look elsewhere. In any case, this wasn't a bad movie and I rate it as about average.
Bruce Banner
I've watched this film so many times, as a child and just now in 2012 and it held up so well for incredible fun. Its pure entertainment. Better than so many movies made even nowadays, its an awesome, huge spectacle of rollicking adventure.Burt Lancaster shows off his incredible acrobatic skills and delivers a great performance as the Skipper with his The film just never stops being incredibly fun, with ingenious new twists populating every new corner.Oh and one more thing: it has some of the most memorable music in any film, especially the theme that plays in the climax showdown. Overall, a damn good ride!
Neil Doyle
And while the above statement is true, it takes more than fancy acrobatics from star BURT LANCASTER and his sidekick NICK CRAVAT to make a pirate film that is hardly more than a series of stunts that turn the story into a cartoon version of reality.All of it looks mighty good in color, filmed in Italy with spectacular sets and costumes, but the story comes across as foolish and impossible to believe. But I suppose action film fans will overlook the ragged script with all of the plotting dependent on how our hero will get out of his next adventurous moment intact while swords flash. In true hero fashion, Lancaster's smile gleams no matter how dire his situations are.He's at the peak of his healthy muscled appearance and almost looks like Doug Fairbanks on steroids during all of his stunts, many obviously performed by the star himself. EVA BARTOK is the pretty girl he ends up winning and TORIN THATCHER makes an impressive villain without even twirling his mustache.But the story is kiddie stuff, obviously aimed to please the Saturday matinée crowd at the local theaters who probably delighted in seeing this kind of stuff on the silver screen, even if the mix of broad comedy and drama doesn't always work. Strangely enough, the film is directed by Robert Siodmak, usually associated with more dramatic or substantial fare.
screenman
Before the languid Johnny Depp feminised buccaneers, there was effervescent Burt Lancaster to show how it should be done.You've only got to see him in action here to realise what a discovery Lancaster was to the movie business. Strong, fit, athletic, and well-muscled without looking like a steroid-queen, whilst with a drop-dead handsome face, a smile that made wide-screen essential, and teeth to give dentists wet-dreams. Dare I say it; he was a beautiful man? And he could ACT. Just check him out in 'Seven Days In May'.Here he's at his outlandish best. More visceral than the whey-faced Erol Flynn, a rip-roaring champion of the underclass, a pirate touched with humanity. As a one-time professional tumbler and acrobat, he scorned the use of stuntmen and what you see here is largely what you get; Burtie jumping, leaping, somersaulting and swinging in a way that would leave young Depp in need of resuscitation. Even by middle-age in the later 'The Train' he hurt his leg during a jump, but just bashed-on, limping his way through the movie. What a geezer!Our hero has a perfect foil in the form of small mixed-race mute Oyo - played for laughs by diminutive Nick Cravat - and despite a mutiny, imprisonment and every kind of escapade he comes out on top, defeating the tyrant and winning the girl - a not-so-comely Eva Bartok.This is an action comedy par-excellence. It is certainly contender for No.1 in the genre. It's as worthy a watch today as it was on its first release almost 60 years ago. Surely never bettered.I defy anyone, whatever their age, not to enjoy this movie.Highly recommended.
