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The Spanish Main

Play trailer Poster for The Spanish Main Released Sep 10, 1945 1h 40m Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 4 Reviews 51% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
When Dutch pirate ship captain Laurent Van Horn (Paul Henreid) seizes a Spanish galleon near the Carolinas, he foils the arranged marriage plans of lovely Contessa Francisca (Maureen O'Hara). After he spirits her away to his hideout, the pair fall in love, to the great consternation of Van Horn's fellow pirate and former girlfriend, Anne Bonney (Binnie Barnes). Bonney's attempts to undermine the new lovers leads to all kinds of trouble, starting with the crew's capture and imprisonment.

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The Spanish Main

Critics Reviews

View All (4) Critics Reviews
Dan Callahan Slant Magazine It hardly seems the work of Frank Borzage. Rated: 2.5/4 Jul 28, 2006 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Paul Henreid isn’t exactly Errol Flynn, but the Casablanca co-star does well enough in this rousing swashbuckler. Rated: 3/4 Feb 10, 2025 Full Review Alberto Abuín Espinof A classic (sub) genre that has betrayals, fight sequences, beloved secondary characters, some comic detail and an impeccable rhythm. [Full review in Spanish] Jun 5, 2017 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews A conventional pirate story that's given a colorful treatment under Frank Borzage's helmsmanship. Rated: B- Apr 17, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Russ G Never thought I'd see Paul Henreid [better known as Victor Laszlo] in a swashbuckler! But, there's really only one reason to view this and that's a positively ravishing 25 year old Maureen O'Hara, red mane ablaze and made up, coiffured, and gowned to the Nines. It's got all the hallmarks of your typical seagoing costume epic including the usual model ships in a tank, swordplay aplenty, and intrigue. The practical effects are up to snuff and the sets are lavish. It's what mid 20th Century movie goers expected for the price of admission and they got their money's worth. A movie to see before you die? Hardly, but good escapist if not totally mindless entertainment. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/25/25 Full Review David K A lot of the critiques around this film tend to focus on where it falls on Frank Borage's career arc. However, it's not a bad film. Does it rise to the level of an Errol Flynn swashbuckler? No. It is a fine film though. Well directed and acted, with a suitable script, it carries you along for its 90 minutes and deposits you on the other side not feeling as though you just killed some time. It really needs to be taken on its own terms. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 06/04/24 Full Review ashley h The Spanish Main is a terrific film. It is about a Dutch captain who turns pirate to wage war after being wronged by the Caribbean authorities. Paul Henreid and Maureen O'Hara give amazing performances. The screenplay is good but a little slow. Frank Borzage did a great job directing this movie. I enjoyed watching this motion picture because of the action and romance. The Spanish Main is a must see. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member I've never been much of a Paul Henreid fan, though he did seem a bit more suited to this sort of costume drama than his usual romantic lead fare. However, this film also has Maureen O'Hara, who's always terrific, which helps greatly. The story involves Henreid as a swashbuckling sea captain who marries the reluctant O'Hara and the two then set off to fight the villainous Walter Slezak, who has previously imprisoned Henreid and was originally the man who O'Hara was betrothed. The real-life female pirate Anne Bonny also show up, which is kind of fun. I always though Bonny deserved her own film, but I think "Cutthroat Island" ruined that possibility. Co-written by Herman J. Mankiewicz, "The Spanish Main" is not a classic, but ti's a solid little swashbuckler from RKO. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Audience Member This has all the action, romance, and camp one would want in a swashbuckler. Maureen O'Hara is as gorgeous as always, and although Paul Heinreid isn't exactly my cup of swoonworthy tea, his chest does rock an open shirt quite nicely! ;) The highlight actually has to be Walter Slezak, who gives an absolutely hilarious turn as the droll villain of the piece. Fluffy fun at its best -- I loved it! 4+ stars Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Audience Member It's not the best film in the world...but, it's worth watching at least once before you kick the bucket. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Spanish Main

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Movie Info

Synopsis When Dutch pirate ship captain Laurent Van Horn (Paul Henreid) seizes a Spanish galleon near the Carolinas, he foils the arranged marriage plans of lovely Contessa Francisca (Maureen O'Hara). After he spirits her away to his hideout, the pair fall in love, to the great consternation of Van Horn's fellow pirate and former girlfriend, Anne Bonney (Binnie Barnes). Bonney's attempts to undermine the new lovers leads to all kinds of trouble, starting with the crew's capture and imprisonment.
Director
Frank Borzage
Producer
Stephen Ames
Screenwriter
George Worthing Yates, Herman J. Mankiewicz
Distributor
RKO Radio Pictures
Production Co
RKO Radio Pictures Inc.
Genre
Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 10, 1945, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 6, 2017
Runtime
1h 40m
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