Blackbeard, the Pirate

Released Dec 25, 1952

1h 39m

Adventure

List

Reviews

40%

Audience Score

2,500+ Ratings

Robert Maynard (Keith Andes) is out to prove that privateer Sir Henry Morgan (Torin Thatcher) is a pirate, and goes undercover on another pirate ship in hopes of getting details of Morgan's crimes. But the ship he chooses is captained by the ruthless Blackbeard (Robert Newton), who killed the previous captain and took his bride-to-be, Edwina (Linda Darnell), hostage. Now Maynard must fight to free himself and Edwina from both Blackbeard and Morgan, who also wants Edwina for his own.

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Roger Moore

Movie Nation

Every damned word out of Newton's mouth here is sadistically funny.

Rated: 2.5/4

Oct 18, 2023

Full Review

Michael E. Grost

Classic Film and Television

World's sleaziest pirates don't do much of interest.

Jul 17, 2009

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

A disappointingly sluggish swashbuckler from action director Raoul Walsh.

Rated: C+

Jan 9, 2006

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Russ G

Robert Newsom pirate talks and the lovely but ill-fated Linda Darnell channels Jane Russell of "The Outlaw" in her low cut gowns, though with a somewhat less visible cleavage. William Bendix is living the Life of Riley as Blackbeard's second in command. All in all a decent sea-going yarn from Hollywood's Golden Age.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Another colorful, extravagant, and spicy RKO adventure film that pushed the limits of the Hays Code! This movie came from that era when Howard Hughes practically owned RKO studios. So even though he may not have directed or produced this film, his influence is still very present; most obviously in Linda Darnell's costumes. Robert Newton, the only actor Hollywood saw fit to play a pirate, once again gives a convincing performance as Blackbeard.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

Full Review

s r

Gotta see it if you love the story of Blackbeard!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

deke p

Robert Newton was the perfect pirate: 'Arrrrrgh'. Perhaps the earliest movie i remember ever going to, at the Avenue in Inglewood. Shd see it again, on youtube. .

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The only reason to see this is the stunning Linda Darnell in what can only be described as a movie made from leftover costumes, scenes, and dialogue. First the dialogue is laughably bad as is Robert Newton's dialect. The plot is your basic pirate fare; pirate captures pretty girl, the main pursuer falls in love with girl, and is the pirate really bad. It is a paint by numbers movie.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

good bio-pic of sorts

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

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Raoul Walsh

Director

Robert Newton

Edward Teach

Linda Darnell

Edwina Mansfield

William Bendix

Ben Worley

Keith Andes

Robert Maynard

Torin Thatcher

Sir Henry Morgan

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Synopsis

Robert Maynard (Keith Andes) is out to prove that privateer Sir Henry Morgan (Torin Thatcher) is a pirate, and goes undercover on another pirate ship in hopes of getting details of Morgan's crimes. But the ship he chooses is captained by the ruthless Blackbeard (Robert Newton), who killed the previous captain and took his bride-to-be, Edwina (Linda Darnell), hostage. Now Maynard must fight to free himself and Edwina from both Blackbeard and Morgan, who also wants Edwina for his own.

Director: Raoul Walsh
Producer: Edmund Grainger
Screenwriter: Alan Le May
Distributor: RKO Radio Pictures
Production Co: RKO Radio Pictures Inc.
Genre: Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 1952, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009
Runtime: 1h 39m

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