The Pirates of Penzance

G

Released Feb 18, 1983

1h 52m

Musical

List

81%

Tomatometer

16 Reviews

83%

Audience Score

5,000+ Ratings

Frederic (Rex Smith), who has spent his formative years as a junior pirate, plans to mark his 21st birthday by breaking free from the Pirate King (Kevin Kline) and beginning his courtship of Mabel (Linda Ronstadt). But because he was born on Feb. 29, a date that only arrives every fourth year, Frederic isn't technically 21 -- and the Pirate King is still his master. Unless something gives, Frederic will soon be on a collision course with the Pirate King's new nemesis: Mabel's father.

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Bob Thomas

Associated Press

The singing is full and rich, the casting inspired.

Nov 12, 2018

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Gilbert & Sullivan's durable The Pirates of Penzance has been turned into an elaborate screen musical by basically the same hands responsible for Joseph Papp's smash New York Shakespeare Festival and Broadway stage production, and result is a delight.

Feb 23, 2012

Full Review

Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: B+

Sep 21, 2010

Full Review

TV Guide

The cast is charming, the sets intentionally stagy, and the musical performances fine.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 24, 2013

Full Review

Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

Grand operatic fun with dashing Kline and wonderful supporting cast.

Rated: 5/5

Oct 14, 2005

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Jul 17, 2005

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Audience Member

Not one of my favorites It's quite long But the cast is committed to the singing and staging The general song was my favorite cause of the amazing timing

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

Full Review

Philip M

This film is a fun musical with a good storyline. The singing and acting and comic ad-libbing is marvelous. Kevin Klein as the pirate king leading his band of gentlemen pirates is fantastic. The film is a little dated but holds up well. A good film for the whole family however may be hard going for children.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

Full Review

Autumn M

Pirates of Penzance is a delightful little musical about pirates. The music is very enchanting and the performance by Kevin Kline was great. Recommended.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/20/22

Full Review

Audience Member

Incredibly long and unremarkable songs. The longer I watched, the worse it got.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This movie is a classic. From the pirates to the general all of the cast is wonderful. The music is really cool. A must watch & keep for a time when you really need to be brought up if down.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

Full Review

steve d

a complete mess despite it's charming lead.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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Wilford Leach

Director

Kevin Kline

The Pirate King

Linda Ronstadt

Mabel

Angela Lansbury

Ruth

George Rose

Maj. Gen. Stanley

Rex Smith

Frederic

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Synopsis

Frederic (Rex Smith), who has spent his formative years as a junior pirate, plans to mark his 21st birthday by breaking free from the Pirate King (Kevin Kline) and beginning his courtship of Mabel (Linda Ronstadt). But because he was born on Feb. 29, a date that only arrives every fourth year, Frederic isn't technically 21 -- and the Pirate King is still his master. Unless something gives, Frederic will soon be on a collision course with the Pirate King's new nemesis: Mabel's father.

Director: Wilford Leach
Producer: Timothy Burrill, Joseph Papp
Screenwriter: Wilford Leach
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Rating: G
Genre: Musical
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 18, 1983, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 11, 2015
Runtime: 1h 52m
Sound Mix: Surround

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