 "A great pirate movie, and Flynn's first starring role" | 2008-08-17 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2ENJGKZZCVNKK |
"CAPTAIN BLOOD" is one of the great American classics, and an incredible swashbuckler. It was the movie that made Errol Flynn and Olivia De Havilland be finally recognized in Hollywood, was the first time they paired together in a film, and the first time they acted together under the direction of Michael Curtiz. The story is basically of Dr. Peter Blood as he treats a man wounded in one of many British civil wars, and is subsequently convicted of treason against the King. Peter is sentenced to working as a slave by the side of many other convicted "criminals" in Jamaica, under the cruel authority of Colonel Bishop (Lionel Atwill). Meanwhile, Blood is romancing the beautiful Arabella Bishop (De Havilland), the Colonel's niece. He is eventually able to escape along with his friends. Blood then vows to the sail the Caribbean as a pirate - Captain Blood. His adventures are many - peaking with that great sword fight against the French pirate Levassuer (Basil Rathbone), and ending with an exciting sea battle as he returns to Port Royal to settle some old scores. The romance between De Havilland and Flynn is the first of many romances in their first of eight pictures together. The cast also includes such other excellent acting talents as J. Carrol Naish, Guy Kibbee, Ross Alexander, and Donald Meek, not to mention that the fencing is so good it would be a sin not to consider it a huge part of the movie. A great movie, one of both Flynn and De Havilland's definite best.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Warner Night at the Movies 1935 - hosted by Leonard Maltin with: Newsreel, Musical Short Johnny Green and his Orchestra, Comedy Short All- American Drawback, the Cartoon Billboard Frolics, and Theatrical Trailer for "A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM".
Theatrical Trailer
Lux Radio Theater Broadcast: February 22, 1937
"Captain Blood: A Swashbuckler is Born" Featurette
Also Recommended: "The Prince and the Pauper" (1937), "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938), Casablanca (1942), Fort Apache (1948), Rio Grande (1950)
THIS REVIEW IS DEDICATED TO ANYONE, LIVING OR DEAD, INVOLVED IN THE MAKING OF "CAPTAIN BLOOD".
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| "A swashbuckler is born!" | 2008-07-16 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3GD9BKIUT3I89 |
| With CAPTAIN BLOOD director Michael Curtiz launches the career of action hero legend Errol Flynn. Flynn's sword skills would improve in successive films but this is where it all began. A most for anyone who loves pirates and swashbucklers. |
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 ""All right, my Hearties!"" | 2008-06-12 |
| - Reviewed By maliejandra |
If you have ever seen The Goonies, you know that Sloth has a penchant for pirates and watches Captain Blood when he's chained up at home. Well, if it is good enough for Sloth, it is good enough for me.
Blood (Errol Flynn) is a doctor, but when he is caught treating a rebel soldier, he is rounded up with the rest of the rebels to be sold into slavery. He is bought by Col. Bishop's niece (Olivia de Havilland) who takes a liking to him despite his rudeness and arrogance. It is all he can do to tolerate his chains, especially when his friends are mistreated. One night, they all make a break for it, and declare a life of piracy, especially against England.
A rousing adventure that speeds by despite its length, Captain Blood is entertaining all the way through. It is no wonder Flynn became such a sensation after making this film; Blood is an admirable character. Two of Warner Brothers' stock actors make memorable appearances as well, Ross Alexander as Jeremy Pitt and Guy Kibbee as Hagthorpe. |
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| "My Favorite Pirate of the Caribbean!" | 2008-06-01 |
| - Reviewed By ecol829081 |
Errol Flynn was at his BEST!
Move over Captain Jack Sparrow! I absolutely love this picture. It's one of my favorite classics, even though Flynn died many years before I was even born. I fell in love with him! Captain Peter Blood is the original Pirate of the Carribean indeed. This is where it all started. Everything about this picture is grand. The story, the romance between Captain Blood and Arabella Bishop, the pirate ships, the swordfighting, and the MUSIC. The musical score is magnificent!
My heart skips a beat everytime I think of this movie! That is how precious this movie is to me. I'm glad to finally own this movie on DVD. |
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| "Errol Flynn - His first starring role and his best!" | 2008-05-09 |
| - Reviewed By aetweed |
| This is the first Errol Flynn movie I watched; my father introduced me to it. It is still my favorite of all of his. I just fell in love with the style and Errol's panache captured me. It is a little dated but still the story is so fun and the characters and actors are just wonderful. The chemistry between Olivia and Errol started here and continued for years. I love this film. |
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| "A Severely Under-Rated Film, and a Delightful Night at the Movies" | 2007-12-30 |
| - Reviewed By shaxper202 |
To begin with, I don't understand why Captain Blood is frequently dismissed, only considered worth mentioning because it was the film that made Errol Flynn a star. I'll admit that I'm a relative novice when it comes to classic pirate films as well as classic Flynn films (I haven't even seen Robin Hood yet!), but this film was so rich that I can't imagine a wider knowledge of the genre diminishing its grandeur.
I approached this film looking for a good sword-fight. I'd never seen a swash-buckler film and felt I was missing out. In that respect, Captain Blood might almost seem like a disappointment. It takes a very long time to get to any real action, and there's only one memorable duel in the film. However, what I found instead was an instantly likable, earthy protagonist, at war with himself as well as his nation, all while cracking witty one-liners and endearing the audience with his vibrant sincerity. Add to this a highly compelling plot about revenge and self-realization, a masterful ensemble cast, countless laugh-out-loud moments that truly feel earned as opposed to obligatory, excellent pacing that manages to prevent a two hour film from ever feeling dull, a very convincing and endearing romantic sub-plot, and exceptional special effects for the time period (delivered in excess at the film's climax). No, the action doesn't come quickly or frequently in this film, but what you get in its place makes the wait more than worthwhile. My wife and I will be watching this film again and again.
I think it's also worthwhile to mention Leonard Maltin's "Warner Night at the Movies," included on this disk. It features a hand-picked selection of short reels that would have been shown at the movies along with Captain Blood in 1935. I've always wanted to see something like this on a DVD extra features menu. Finally, I can see a classic film in something close to its original context, amidst a myriad of reels from varied genres -- a true Depression Era variety show. Each of the reels has a charm of its own, from the explicitly budget-conscious trailer for A Midsummer Night's Dream ("At Popular Prices") to a news reel in which Bruno Hauptmann is sentenced to death for kidnapping the Lindburgh baby and FDR pledges to keep the United States out of the emerging conflict in Europe. Add Charlie McCarthy, an early Warner Brothers cartoon, and a big band performance to the equation, and you're set for one fine evening at the 1930s movies. My only regret with this feature is that you can't watch all the reels together. Each must be accessed individually on the special features menu.
Regarding the particulars of this transfer of the film, the picture is quite clear, and, though a few lines of dialogue get lost here and there, the sound is relatively good for a film from the mid-1930s.
All in all, this is a treasure of a DVD. Any fan of classic films, pirate or otherwise, would be amiss to pass this one up. |
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| "Errol at work again" | 2007-12-24 |
| - Reviewed By ercil@astrid.upland.ca.us |
| Like all of his films, Errol Flynn cuts the dashing figure. Called from his bed to aid a wounded Nobleman (Irish fighting the English), DR. Blood is arrested for treason. Guilty for saving a wounded man (who fought against King James, He and the Irish are sent to Port Royal to be sold as slaves/indentured servants (if they live that long). He is purchased by Olivia de Haviland (she wants to save him from a terrible fate) even so he doesn't appreciate her help. Later he succeeds by various means to save himself and his fellows whereupon they become pirates. Eventually, he returns Olivia's favor. After some fine sword play he rescues the girl, but he is not out of the woods yet.... (I'm not telling the end...). It is great fun in the spirit of these old films and for those that love them it is time well spent. |
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| "swashbuckler supreme with Flynn and de Havilland" | 2007-09-17 |
| - Reviewed By starla20 |
CAPTAIN BLOOD, based on the novel by Rafael Sabatini, was the first movie to feature the successful star combination of Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland. The mix of swashbuckling thrills and breathless romance is irresistible.
In 17th century London, respected physician Peter Blood (Errol Flynn) is sold into a slave trade and subsequently escapes to become a notorious pirate king. Olivia de Havilland plays Arabella Bishop, the headstrong niece of Blood's former master (Lionel Atwill).
This was Errol Flynn's debut as a leading man at Warner Brothers. The role of Blood was originally intended for Robert Donat (star of the popular "Count of Monte Cristo") before being offered to Brian Aherne, who also passed on the project. Errol Flynn, a relatively minor contract player, was recommended for the role; CAPTAIN BLOOD launched his career and he spent the next several years as the reigning king of the swashbuckler genre.
Much of CAPTAIN BLOOD's success was due to the strong chemistry between Flynn and Olivia de Havilland. Similarly, this film helped establish de Havilland as an important new star; she had made her film debut playing Hermia in Warners' star-studded 1935 version of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" before idling in B-comedies; CAPTAIN BLOOD and the role of feisty Arabella helped endear her to the public. Errol and Olivia went on to be paired in many more wonderful movies (including "Dodge City", "The Adventures of Robin Hood" and "Santa Fe Trail"). The cast also features Basil Rathbone and Guy Kibbee.
The DVD version of CAPTAIN BLOOD also includes the trailer, Making-Of featurette "Captain Blood: A Swashbuckler is Born", Merrie Melodies cartoon "Billboard Frolics", VitaPhone short "All-American Drawback" with Charlie McCarthy, and newsreel.
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| "The greatest pirate movie EVER!" | 2007-08-09 |
| - Reviewed By User: A150G4BYT4ERH0 |
| Rafael Sabatini wrote a range of heroic characters in high adventure stories from Scaramouche to the Sea Hawk and Captain Blood. Any one of those stories are superior to the Pirates of the Carribean. The problem with remaking them is we don't have any living actor who comes close to Errol Flynn or even Stewart Granger. So, I highly recommend going retro and watching anyone of the three. I'd start with Blood first. |
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| "One of the greatest epic films ever made!" | 2007-07-25 |
| - Reviewed By higopa |
The first great feature of Errol Flynn and (at least to my mind) the role of his lifetime as well as the supreme beauty of Olivia de Havilland make of this movie a singular and reference movie in this decade.
Captain blood is one these unforgettable epic tales based on Sabatini's novel about a doctor who is forced to become a pirate. But along the story is showed, there will be many chances to know him, his real nature as human being who seriously wishes by all his means, to avoid to be considered a slave, he will the intellectual leader for the escape and will assume the authority delineated by a sort of statement of Principles among the members under his command, in order to avoid a supposed mutiny inspired by the greed or any other motive.
The admirable duel with Levesseur and his formidable audacious to undertake and even save the honor of the English Army when they are besieged in Port Royal will deserve not only a sudden achievement in his life, but besides he will find the love of his life as you and me are aware from the firsts shots.
Michael Curtiz was the same director of the charge of the light brigade so it's not unusual to think he his preferences for the epic genre.
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