A man disguises himself as a pirate doctor in order to bring the notorious pirate Blackbird to justice. He is aided by a beautiful hostage. Robert Newton out does his Long John Silver impersonation and his Blackbeard is a buggy eyed brutal marvel. In fact considering the censorhip of 1952 the movie is shockingly violent in the many horrific murders that take place. Of course most of what happens is not shown but the implications of how the Pirates treated each other when taking lives is not spared any white washing. In spite of that and the staggering beauty of Linda Darnell the film is suprisingly actionless. Most of taking place inside various rooms on board Blackbeard's boat. The male lead is played by what's his name. Yes that's right. Whoever he is. The man has no charisma whatsoever and reads his lines like he's reciting the phone book. Worth a look once but that's all. Suprising as it was directed by Raoul Walsh who has made some terrific adventure movies.
Review of Blackbeard, the Pirate
