Search - Swashbuckler on DVD

The grandest pirate movie indeed!

HeadbangerDuh | Los Angeles, CA | 05/10/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's a shame 'Swashbuckler' will probably never recieve the respect it deserves. While in recent years the pirate movie has enjoyed a rebound thanks to the Orlando Bloom pirate tale Pirates of the Carribean, i feel this 1976 swashbuckler is a whole lot better. The story centers around a pirate captain and his best friend played by James Earl Jones. They team up with a woman who can swash and buckle herself in order to overthrow the evil Lord Durant and free the politcal prisoners. While being a little short on plot, it is very thick on action and adventure, and the countless swordfight scenes are the best I've ever seen."

A wonderful escapest, summer-popcorn movie

HeadbangerDuh | 07/14/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's hard to be judgmental about a movie that is trying to be so much fun. It's low on high-tech and it's fast pace comes from the energy of the actors themselves. Who cares if the story line sag's just a bit? Listen to that great score! The music will have you feeling you are aboard a rollicking ship being chased by the king's best. Watch it for the sheer energy the cast generates. The swash and buckle of the sword fights and the derring do far outweigh the few flaws. Robert Shaw was never more the sweet-scoundrel, James Earl Jones never more stalwart and Peter Boyle never more.... well, not nice. Nope, it's not brain surgery and it's certainly not trying to send any message. It's a great summer flick to spend the afternoon with while indulging in popcorn, soda and milkduds. Hey, I love ya leonard Maltin, but I think you're wrong about this one. If anything, I think it's gotten sweeter over time."

Shaw / Jones / Bujold swing a blade

Movie Mania | Southern Calfornia | 02/09/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This was an attempt to revive the pirate movie. It didn't. But it was a great attempt.

Red Ned Lynch (Robert Shaw) is the captain of the Blarney Cock. He loots British ships in the Caribbean. His first mate is Nick Debrette (James Earl Jones).

The main British island is under the rule of Lord Durant (Peter Boyle) and his naïve aid (Beau Bridges). He confiscates the Barnett plantation putting out Lady Barnett and daughter Jane (Genevieve Bujold). Jane is determined to get revenge.

Durant is determined to catch Red Ned and sets a trap but this is a swashbuckler film and good must triumph.

This is a beautifully made film. The Blarney Cock is the Bounty from the remake. The production design and costumes are top quality. And despite a weak script, the performances all around are great. As one critic said, Genevieve Bujold uses her French accent to great use in this film. And Geoffrey Holder's return to acting is sublime as the knife wielding adventurer.

You won't put this on your classics list but you will pop this DVD in when you want a fun afternoon.

DVD EXTRA: Making of featurette made at the time of filming.
"

Awesome Pirate Movie

theinvincibleironman | 02/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Great performances highlight this exciting tongue-in-cheek adventure!

Robert Shaw and James Earl Jones are wonderful, as is a fine supporting cast of character actors.

Of special note is the outstanding performance of Peter Boyle as a first class nasty villain! Seeing him today in "Everybody Loves Raymond" and then as pure evil is really something to behold.

Also watch for a tremendous sword fight between Shaw and Boyle that ranks with the best of them!

You'll really enjoy this one!"