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      The Spanish Main

      Released Sep 10, 1945 1h 40m Adventure List
      Reviews 51% Audience Score 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. Read More Read Less

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      The Spanish Main

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      Critics Reviews

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      Dan Callahan Slant Magazine It hardly seems the work of Frank Borzage. Rated: 2.5/4 Jul 28, 2006 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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      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 s r It was a great pirate movie, but with class. It showed the grandeur of the caribbean with tortuga and Cartagena. Ohare was beautiful and Henreid was heroic. I want to watch it again, this time with my full attention. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Frances H Great pirate yarn with the spectacularly beautiful Maureen O'Hara, the very romantic Paul Henreid of Csasblanca fame and the unparalleled character acting of Walter Slezack, This fun swashbuckler is second only to Captain Blood. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/30/14 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      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
      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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