Captain Kidd (1945)

38% of users liked it
(1,914 ratings)

It's every man for himself when Charles Laughton bites into the role of infamous 17th century pirate captain William Kidd. Hoping to further increase his ill-gotten gains, Captain Kidd inveigles King William III (Henry Daniel) into appointing him the "patriotic" protector of a valuable treasure… More It's every man for himself when Charles Laughton bites into the role of infamous 17th century pirate captain William Kidd. Hoping to further increase his ill-gotten gains, Captain Kidd inveigles King William III (Henry Daniel) into appointing him the "patriotic" protector of a valuable treasure ship. Ostensibly hired to fend off enemy vessels, Kidd intends to steal the ship's cargo for himself with the aid of his swarthy lieutenants William Moore (Gilbert Roland) and Orange Povy (John Carradine). The romantic subplot is carried by "honest" brigand Adam Merry (Randolph Scott) and kidnapped noblewoman Lady Ann Falconer (Barbara Britton). Charles Laughton reprised his part in the 1952 farce Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 23 min.
Directed By: Rowland V. Lee
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1945 Wide
On DVD: May 22, 2001
Studio: United Artists

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Sails the high seas on Charles Laughton's sea legs.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Laughton is good, but the film is a cheap, tepid affair that drove its director to quit movies.

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

With that cast it should have been better. Just sort of chugs along without the sense of derring do required for this kind of adventure. Scott looks ridiculous dressed up as a pirate, Laughton does his best but this is just blah.
Alexander W

The acting is fairly good, and there is a lot of it. Don't be suprised not to find too much "high seas adventure" but more trasure and plunder. Black and White. focused more on story than much else. but with some beautiful scenes none the less.
Sarah P

Would never watch this again.