Cleveronix A different way of telling a story

AnhartLinkin This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

Kamila Bell This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

Scarlet The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Lee Eisenberg Christopher Lee's performance as the stern captain keeps "The Devil-Ship Pirates" from being a typical pirate flick. I also thought that Suzan Farmer was a real hottie in this movie, as she also was in "Die, Monster, Die!" True, this wasn't the best role of any of the cast members, but I enjoyed it.Whenever I watch old movies set in centuries past, I notice that they characters look well groomed. I doubt that anyone looked that tidy in 1588. Of course, no one expects action movies to be realistic. Along with the scenes of the captain discussing how to keep the town under control, there's some drinking and swordfights to keep things going.Pretty fun movie.PS: The long-term result of the war involving the Spanish Armada was that the British colonization of the Americas got delayed twenty years: when they returned to the Roanoke colony in 1590, the colony had vanished, and its fate remains a mystery to this day.

Woodyanders 1588. A severely damaged Spanish pirate ship is forced to pull into a small isolated village on the British coast for repairs. The pirates led by the stern, fearsome, and ruthless Captain Robeles (a terrific performance by Christopher Lee) convince the villagers that they have won the war and are their rightful masters. Director Don Sharp, working from a tight and compelling script by Jimmy Sangster, does a sound job with the engrossing story: the steady pace never falters, there's a vivid and credible evocation of the period, the lively sword fights are staged with real skill and brio, the pirates are a memorably scruffy and scurvy bunch, the strong central theme about bravery and cowardice adds extra substance to the narrative, and the thrilling fiery conclusion delivers the exciting goods. Moreover, further kudos are in order for the fine acting from a bang-up cast, with especially stand-out turns by Barry Warren as the firm and no-nonsense Don Manuel Ridrigeuz de Savilla, John Cairney as the bitter and insolent Harry, Suzan Farmer as the sweet Angela Smeeton, Michael Ripper as the jolly Pepe, Duncan Lamont as the tough and loyal the Bosun, Ernest Clark as the wimpy and sycophantic Sir Basil Smeeton, Natasha Pyne as the fragile Jane, and Andrew Keir as the pragmatic Tom. Michael Reed's vibrant widescreen cinematography gives the picture a pleasingly handsome look. Gary Hughes' spirited score likewise does the zesty trick. A very worthwhile and enjoyable movie.

Wilbur-10 One of Hammer Studios forays away from the horror genre, the film still has the unmistakable Hammer stamp much in evidence.Story concerns a fighting ship from the Spanish Armada, which after the defeat takes refuge on a remote stretch of English coastline for repairs. The crew, headed by Christopher Lee, convince the locals that the Spanish were victorious and blockade their village.Many aspects of Hammers historical horror films are present - the nervous, subdued villagers, the local landowner who gives in to the outside forces, the buxom village wench to be plundered, the young headstrong villager who organises resistance etc. With Lee playing the evil force, the films middle is similar in tone to many a Hammer Dracula film - the pirate ship taking the place of the usual castle, but the effect and implications it has are the same.As a swashbuckler, 'The Devil-Ship Pirates' doesn't really offer anything of lasting interest - for Hammer fans though there is much to enjoy, with production values above average, and a storyline which satisfies all requirements.Nice to see Michael Ripper in a surprisingly large role - he must have as many lines in this as every other Hammer film he was in put together.

sherlock-34 Hammer's foray into straight adventure stories occasionally resulted in some first-rate films. Of course as was the norm with most Hammer productions, they were made on a shoestring budget. "The Devil Ship Pirates" certainly doesn't show it. It is clear that every cent was squeezed from the budget and shifted on-screen. The visuals in this film are incredible and run to the inclusion of a 120 foot long Spanish Galleon (The story of this ill fated large scale prop is an interesting tale all it's own), designed by Bernard Robinson. The costuming is splendid and certainly does much to make the film a convincingly effective historical piece. A strong cast, headed by Mr. Lee and ably supported by the likes of Andrew Keir, Philip Latham, Michael Ripper and Suzan Farmer, gives their all to achieve what is clearly one of Hammer's best forays into the pirate movie sub-genre. Michael Ripper in particular is, as always, a joy to watch.The film begins with the defeat of the Spanish Armada. The Spanish ship Diablo is badly damaged and her Captain, a rakish privateer by the name of Robeles, takes the ship into the English coast to make covert repairs. While there, a little plundering is in order and the crew of the ship occupy a small isolated village by duping the villagers into believing that the Spanish won and that they are there as representatives of Spain. A resistance movement is formed and the usual results: swordplay, flogging, and a good deal of running around.The plot is fairly standard stuff, but very well told and demonstrates a bit more depth than typical swashbucklers. The staunch British defend their island from invading foreigners. Thematically, it has as much in common with "The Adventures of Robin Hood" as it does with "The Eagle has Landed". Normans, Germans or as in this case, Spanish privateers, the mentality is the same. As Winston Churchill put it: "We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender." Devil Ship Pirates would have made a splendid WWII era morale booster with its rather blatant message. An interesting touch that adds depth and separates this film from the usual pirate fair. By including Barry Warren's sympathetic and honorable Spaniard character, the film narrowly avoids stereotyping the Spanish. A token effort, but one that raises the tone somewhat.Christopher Lee excels in the role of the nasty Captain Robeles. He looks magnificent in the red uniform and moves with incredible authority at all times. There are a good number of fencing sequences that are carried off with remarkable skill and dexterity; a real showcase of Mr. Lee's ability. The final sequences aboard the Diablo are simply stunning. This is one pirate flick that shouldn't be missed...and that's an order, Mister!