The Crimson Pirate

Starring:Burt Lancaster, Nick Cravat, Eva Bartok, Torin Thatcher, James Hayter, Leslie Bradley, Margot Grahame, Noel Purcell, Frederick Leister, Eliot Makeham, Frank Pettingell, Dana Wynter, Christopher Lee, Ewan Roberts, John Chandos, Derek Tansley, Charles Farrell (II), Enzo Giobbe, Harry Lane, Charles Horvath
Director: Robert Siodmak
Studio: Warner Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Released well after Douglas Fairbanks's and Errol Flynn's heydays, this good-natured Burt Lancaster vehicle is, nevertheless, a superior example of the classic swashbuckler: set in the 16th century, along the Spanish Main, this lusty adventure both expands on and explodes genre conventions. Lancaster, a circus acrobat before turning to movies in the '40s, gives what may be his most physical performance as sword-for-hire Captain Vallo, a.k.a. the Crimson Pirate.

Nick Cravat, Lancaster's real-life circus buddy, matches the star leap for leap, somersault for somersault as Vallo's mute sidekick. The fetching Eva Bartok causes Vallo to throw over the Spanish for rebel forces, and a young Christopher Lee demonstrates the swordsmanship that would later make him a natural in Richard Lester's The Three Musketeers.

Amazon.com

Released well after Douglas Fairbanks's and Errol Flynn's heydays, this good-natured Burt Lancaster vehicle is, nevertheless, a superior example of the classic swashbuckler: set in the 16th century, along the Spanish Main, this lusty adventure both expands on and explodes genre conventions. Lancaster, a circus acrobat before turning to movies in the '40s, gives what may be his most physical performance as sword-for-hire Captain Vallo, a.k.a. the Crimson Pirate.

Director Robert Siodmak, known for his claustrophobic noir thrillers (1946's The Killers), handled most of the interiors, while Lancaster coordinated the tongue-in-cheek humor and macho derring-do. The broadly played action scenes, including the climactic 18-minute battle aboard a frigate, wouldn't be improved on for another three decades--by Spielberg's Raiders of the Lost Ark. The big difference: Harrison Ford needed a stunt double, Lancaster didn't. --Glenn Lovell

Description

Notorious raider of the eighteenth century sea lanes, Captain Vallo, a.k.a. The Crimson Pirate, and his band of buccaneers overtake a Spanish galleon filled with guns and ammunition. When he decides to sell the stolen arsenal to rebel leader El Libre on the island of Cobra, the representative of Spain, Baron Gruda, offers Vallo 50,000 florins if he will deliver El Libre instead. Vallo is soon caught between the Spanish, the rebellion, and even the mutiny of his own men. But having allen in love with El Libre's daughter Consuelo, Vallo gains back his crew's trust and leads the island of Cobra to freedom.

Customer Reviews:

Better than Pirates of the Caribbean.......2007-02-14

It was fun to watch Burt Lancaster frolic on the ropes of his sailing frigate. After watching serious roles that he played in Elmer Gantry, Mr. 880, the Train, Bird Man of Alcatraz, and Judgment at Nurenberg, it was refreshing to see him back recreating his days as an acrobat. He is like Sean Connery. Dashing when he was young, and handsome as he aged. His circus sidekick was also a delight to watch, and, as a team, they were unbeatable. Burt obviously loved this role, as he is smiling from start to finish. A real adventure.

Burt Lancaster at his funniest, totally outragious.......2007-01-04

Recomended for anyone with a sence of humor. I've loved this movie sence the first time I saw it, too many years ago to count. Sword fighting, brawling, and misplaced (timewise) inventions. All done to tickle your funny bone. Too bad they don't have six stars to rate this.

Lancaster has given the modern cinema more "pure enjoyment" than almost any other major star!.......2006-12-24

It's doubtful whether any pirate ever looked like Lancaster, rigged out in a succession of exaggeratedly modish outfits and bleached-blond hair... He is the 18th-century pirate swashbuckler to end all swashbucklers!

With his mute, but athletic side-kick friend Nick Cravat, Lancaster leads an island's people in rebellion against the tyrant Baron Gruda... His damsel is Eva Bartok, the freewheeling European beauty...

I don't know how many times I have seen this buccaneer saga, and still I love it... The film provides lots of thrills and laughs, lots of adventures and excitement ...

Great fun all the time...

Lancaster's sense of comedy was evident enough for critic Alton Cook to call him "one of our most amiable and strenuous comedians."

For me, Lancaster will be always remembered as the actor who has given the modern cinema more "pure enjoyment" than almost any other major star...

The Crimson Pirate seen again after many years.......2006-08-26

I saw the original theater release - and was reminded again of one of the funniest takeoffs on "Pirate" movies. Lancaster is often thought of as a dramatic actor (see Elmer Gantry), but here he shows great comedian skills combined with amazing physical stunts. My wife had never seen the movie, and she laughed herself almost into histeria. - so it is a great movie to see the first time, and just as wonderful the 2, 3,.....? times.

BURT IS MAGNIFICENT!.......2006-08-20

When I was 11 years old back in 1960 I saw the "Crimson Pirate" on TV for the first time. From then on Burt Lancaster was my favorite actor until the likes of DeNiro, Nicholson, Newman, Hoffman and Pacino etc. As previous reviewers have stated the athleticism of Lancaster & his childhood friend Nick Cravat (ex circus performers)cannot be beat. There are no actors today who could do that. Before Burt it was Douglas Fairbanks. Ahh, to see Burt's pearly whites flashing again brought back many memories. Now realize, this movie is not to be taken serious. Just sit back and have fun watching it. My wife thought it was very silly(which it can be), but she missed the whole point.
I bought this movie after seeing Johnny Depps "Pirates" with my 22 year old son. We both loved "Pirates" but I wanted him to see the "Crimson Pirate". And, he liked it. Tough guy Burt, ex:"From Here to Eternity" really hams it up here.
I am very happy I purchased this movie because I will get much enjoyment from it. So, sit back and enjoy but bring your sense of humor.

The Crimson Pirate (Original Theatrical Release) [Import, All-region] (Dvd)

Average customer rating:

The Crimson Pirate (Original Theatrical Release) [Import, All-region] (Dvd)
Director: Robert Siodmak
Manufacturer: Sky Cinema
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Product Features:

I'll Eat The Smoke Of Their Cannon...and steal the woman from the king!
"Like 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' or the early Bonds, it works both as a movie parody and as a rollicking good adventure at the same time." DVDTown.com
This is the original version that debuted in theaters in 1952.
Import from Korea made for the USA/Canada marketplace (NTSC, All-Region)

ASIN: B000N3NNP8

Product Description

Burt Lancaster plays the title role in this caution-to-the-winds adventure comedy filled to the top-mast with devilish derring-do and hearty goofiness. Possessed of keen acrobatic agility from his pre-acting circus days, Lancaster embodies all The Crimson Pirate is about: escapist fare that's contagious fun. Zestily directed by Robert Siodmak (the suspense master of The Spiral Staircase and The Killers in a robust change-of-pace), The Crimson Pirate also boasts the treasures of lovely Eva Bartok, lively Nick Cravat (Lancaster's boyhood chum and ex-circus partner), gorgeous location filming and a playfull William Alwyn score. It's nothing less than an edge-of-your-seat joyride. Heave-to, mates!

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