Search - The Black Pirate on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Movie Release: 1926 DVD Release: 05/18/1999 Format: DVD - Black and White Edition: Restored/Remastered SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 30 mins Studio: Image Entertainment Members Wishing: 3 Genres: Adventure, Swashbuckler, Costume Adventure See Also: The Black Pirate, Douglas Fairbanks: The Black Pirate, Black Pirate

The Black Pirate was hailed in 1926 as the "return" of the Douglas Fairbanks who'd breezed through several peppy comedies before starring in lavish costume epics like Robin Hood (1922) and Thief of Bagdad (1924). The story involves a young nobleman (Fairbanks) whose father is killed by pirates. He vows to avenge his dad's death by becoming a buccaneer himself and routing out the villains. Along the way, he rescues damsel-in-distress Billie Dove (likewise of noble birth) and engages in a few bloody duels with the swarthy likes of Sam De Grasse and Anders Randolph. Charlie Stevens, a grandson of American Indian chief Geronimo -- and whom Fairbanks regarded as a "lucky charm" -- appears in several tiny roles. The Black Pirate was originally presented in two-color Technicolor form; the black and white prints are the most-often-seen version of the film, however. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Douglas Fairbanks - Michel, "The Black Pirate"
Billie Dove - The Princess
Tempe Piggott - Duenna
Donald Crisp - McTavish
Anders Randolf - Pirate Leader
Sam de Grasse - Pirate Lieutenant

This early color silent film starring the charismatic Douglas Fairbanks Sr. is given a transfer worthy of a king's ransom on this disc from Kino Video and Image Entertainment. Presented in full screen (standard) with an aspect ratio of 1.33:1, the print is simply remarkable and provides a beautiful example of the early two-strip Technicolor process. The orchestral score conducted by Robert Israel comes through nicely on the Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo audio track. The disc also has a commentary track by film historian Rudy Behlmer. He covers a wide range of topics including the formation of the Pickford/Fairbanks studio, the sword styles used in the film, and the history of early color. In "The Making of The Black Pirate" section there are 18 minutes of behind-the-scenes and outtake footage, all with commentary from Behlmer. There is also a very brief "Production Stills" section presented as a slide show with descriptive commentary, again from Behlmer. It took approximately two years to restore this film, and those efforts are well preserved on this disc. ~ A.R. Ferguson, All Movie Guide