Raoul Walsh's direction is sloppy in this technicolor high seas adventure that never gets much wind in its sail outside of the outlandishly wonderful scenery chewing performance by Robert Newton as the title character. Newton who would go on to play more benign pirates (Long John Silver) is deliciously duplicitous from start to finish as he attempts to outfox all around him including his crew who hate but fear him more.
Director Walsh who helmed some excellent adventure dramas in the past seems to settle for anything mixing haphazard seriousness with mawkish romance and some dark comedy that Newton drives home with gusto. There's a decent sea battle, Linda Darnel displaying cleavage and Irene "Granny" Ryan scoring a few laughs as her lady in waiting but the film remains a burlesque most of the way with Newton thankfully center stage going over the top throughout before receiving a fitting exit befitting the most dastardly of screen pirates.
Director Walsh who helmed some excellent adventure dramas in the past seems to settle for anything mixing haphazard seriousness with mawkish romance and some dark comedy that Newton drives home with gusto. There's a decent sea battle, Linda Darnel displaying cleavage and Irene "Granny" Ryan scoring a few laughs as her lady in waiting but the film remains a burlesque most of the way with Newton thankfully center stage going over the top throughout before receiving a fitting exit befitting the most dastardly of screen pirates.