Swashbuckler (1976)

45% of users liked it
(1,397 ratings)

A latter-day attempt to update the swordplay success of Errol Flynn movies, this film is part burlesque, part homage to old-fashioned pirate films. James Earl Jones and Robert Shaw play Nick Debrett and Ned Lynch, two pirates who save a noblewoman, Jane Barnet (Geneviève Bujold), and take her to… More A latter-day attempt to update the swordplay success of Errol Flynn movies, this film is part burlesque, part homage to old-fashioned pirate films. James Earl Jones and Robert Shaw play Nick Debrett and Ned Lynch, two pirates who save a noblewoman, Jane Barnet (Geneviève Bujold), and take her to Jamaica. They find that their friends have been taken captive by a ruthless dictator -- Peter Boyle plays the foppish villain Lord Durant with an over-the-top swagger. Debrett and Lynch set out to rescue their friends and overthrow the perverted tyrant. Beau Bridges plays Major Folly, a fancy-dressing Scarlet Pimpernel sort. A young Anjelica Huston has a minor part as a nameless woman. There is plenty of swordplay, blood, slapstick, and cleavage, all directed by James Goldstone in a frenzied fashion. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 41 min.
Directed By: James Goldstone
Written By: Jeffrey Bloom
Genres: Action & Adventure, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1976 Wide
On DVD: Jan 5, 1999
Studio: MCA Universal Home Video

Critic Reviews

Richard T. Jameson, Parallax View
... just a dumb film boasting broadly bad performances by a good cast, some pleasant scenery, the pleasure of watching a real ship tossing on a real ocean ...

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jens S

This wonderfully old-fashioned pirates film is like a message from a sunken era, where sword fights are still filmed in wide shots, not a hundred cuts a minute. The mood is light and with plenty of humor, a couple of stunts spectacular, the locations feel real and set a nice Caribbean… More
This wonderfully old-fashioned pirates film is like a message from a sunken era, where sword fights are still filmed in wide shots, not a hundred cuts a minute. The mood is light and with plenty of humor, a couple of stunts spectacular, the locations feel real and set a nice Caribbean atmosphere. Sure, some parts of the film are a bit bumpy and feel dated, but overall this is a fun adventure film for a rainy Sunday afternoon. The main title score is also one of the most beautiful themes ever written.

Cast

            Robert Shaw as Ned Lynch

            James Earl Jones as Nick Debrett

            Peter Boyle as Lord Durant

            Geneviève Bujold as Jane Barnet

            Beau Bridges as Maj. Folly

            Anjelica Huston as Woman of Dark Visage

            Geoffrey Holder as Cudjo

            Avery Schreiber as Polonski

            Tom Clancy as Moonbeam

            Bernard Behrens as Sir James Barnet

            Dorothy Tristan as Alice

            Mark Baker as Lute Player

            Kip Niven as Willard

            Harry Basch as Banana Man

            Kabir Bedi
            
            Jon Cedar as Pirate Gun Captain

            Diana Chesney as Landlady

            Sid Haig as Bald Pirate

            Louisa Horton as Lady Barnet

            Tom Lacy as Chaplain

            Robert Ruth as Bearded Pirate

            Alfie Wise as Sailor

            Tom Fitzsimmons as Corporal

            Manuel DePina as Barnet Servant

            Robert Morgan as Peglegged Pirate
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