Captain Kidd

Released Nov 22, 1945

1h 29m

Adventure

History

Drama

List

100%

5 Reviews

Tomatometer

45%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

British pirate William Kidd (Charles Laughton) captures Adm. Blayne's (Randolph Scott) treasure ship and hides the bounty in a cave. Three years later, Kidd, posing as a sea captain, offers his services to the king as an escort ship. Seeking a social position, Kidd also negotiates for Blayne's title and lands, if he can prove Blayne was associated with piracy. On his mission, Kidd is unaware that Blayne's son, Adam (also Scott), is among the crew, determined to clear his father's name.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Laughton is capital as the ruthless brigand of the seas, ruling his equally villainous rogues with stern cruelty.

Mar 26, 2009

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Charles Laughton renders a grandly theatrical performance as the infamous pirate, a role he would spoof in a 1952 comedy.

Rated: B-

Aug 23, 2012

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Sails the high seas on Charles Laughton's sea legs.

Rated: B-

Feb 27, 2008

Full Review

Carol Cling

Las Vegas Review-Journal

Rated: 3/5

Mar 12, 2004

Full Review

Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Laughton is good, but the film is a cheap, tepid affair that drove its director to quit movies.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 11, 2004

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Russ

Not one of Sir Charles's better efforts. I think by this stage of his career the booze was getting to him, though he would later redeem himself in "Witness for the Prosecution."

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/01/24

Full Review

Steve D

Even its star can't make it interesting.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/01/24

Full Review

nick s

I quite like Laughton in other movies, but I think he was miscast in this one. And he didn't put in a strong performance. The movie as a whole didn't have as much bluster as I would have expected.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Hands down the most clever pirate films of all time. It is a tale of intrigue more than an action film and it is amazing for what it is.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Nothing special, but it is saved by a great performance from Charles Laughton

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

andy f

Rises above the usual pirate hokum, due to a better than average script and a majestic performance from Charles Laughton. He is wonderful and steals every scene he's in.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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Rowland V. Lee

Director

Charles Laughton

Capt. William Kidd

Randolph Scott

Adam Mercy

Barbara Britton

Lady Anne Dunstan

Reginald Owen

Cary Shadwell

John Carradine

Orange Povey

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Synopsis

British pirate William Kidd (Charles Laughton) captures Adm. Blayne's (Randolph Scott) treasure ship and hides the bounty in a cave. Three years later, Kidd, posing as a sea captain, offers his services to the king as an escort ship. Seeking a social position, Kidd also negotiates for Blayne's title and lands, if he can prove Blayne was associated with piracy. On his mission, Kidd is unaware that Blayne's son, Adam (also Scott), is among the crew, determined to clear his father's name.

Director: Rowland V. Lee
Screenwriter: Norman Reilly Raine, Robert N. Lee
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: Benedict Bogeaus Production
Genre: Adventure, History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 22, 1945, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 23, 2016
Runtime: 1h 29m

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