The opening sequence: A topless blond Burt Lancaster is swinging from one mast to another in a Tarzan style and then, he´s speaking directly to the audience: “...you´ve been shanghaied aboard for the last cruise of the crimson pirate...“
Yes, no doubt about. This is a pirate movie and it was and still is a benchmark for all other pirate movies.
We´re introduced to the carebean some time in the 18th century.
Cpt. Vallo aka the Crimson Pirate tries to make a good profit with a conquered royal spanish ship full of guns and ammunition even though this means cooperation with the evil pirate hunter Baron Gruda (Leslie Bradley).
First of all the rebel leader of the small island of Cobra „El Libre“ (Frederick Leister) should be liberated from a spanish prison, where he´s held captive.
Afterwards the conquered guns should be sold to him and then El Libre would be handed out to the spanish again, for a big reward of course. So far so good.
But no 1950´s adventure movie without a romantic love story. El Libres doughter Consuelo (Eva Bartok) is part of the resistance and naturally Vallo falls in love with her. Changes in the former plan are inevitable.
Obviously some of Vallos crewmembers aren´t happy about the new situation and until the showdown finale the Crimson Pirate and his dumb mate Ojo (Nick Cravat) tumble from one adventure into the other, giving both actors plenty of opportunities to show their brilliant artistic skills.
Famous director Robert Siodmak (The Great Sinner, The Killers) offers us 100 min. of funny and pure entertaining pleasure in bright technicolor. The enchanting classic soundtrack by William Alwyn supports the numerous slapstick-style fight scenes in a perfect way. One can see in many scenes, how much fun it must have been to make this movie. Burt Lancaster, the former circus-artist can show that he hasn´t lost any of his abilities and to achieve his goal, he uses charm and wit instead of guns and rude violence.
To be honest, this film classic from 1952 is not very demanding, but great fun for all kids and all adults, who have kept childhood memories in their mind.
My favourite quote (from the first sea battle-scene) is:
Baron Grouda: „You may be overconfident Cpt. Vallo. There are 200 of the king´s marines aboard this vessel.“
Vallo: „And only 20 pirates! That puts the odds slightly in my favour. Better surrender the ship.“
