The Black Pirate (1926)

100% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
60% of users liked it
(1,331 ratings)

The Black Pirate was hailed in 1926 as the "return" of the Douglas Fairbanks who'd breezed through several peppy comedies before starring in lavish costume epics like Robin Hood (1922) and Thief of Bagdad (1924). The story involves a young nobleman (Fairbanks) whose father is killed by pirates. He… More The Black Pirate was hailed in 1926 as the "return" of the Douglas Fairbanks who'd breezed through several peppy comedies before starring in lavish costume epics like Robin Hood (1922) and Thief of Bagdad (1924). The story involves a young nobleman (Fairbanks) whose father is killed by pirates. He vows to avenge his dad's death by becoming a buccaneer himself and routing out the villains. Along the way, he rescues damsel-in-distress Billie Dove (likewise of noble birth) and engages in a few bloody duels with the swarthy likes of Sam De Grasse and Anders Randolph. Charlie Stevens, a grandson of American Indian chief Geronimo -- and whom Fairbanks regarded as a "lucky charm" -- appears in several tiny roles. The Black Pirate was originally presented in two-color Technicolor form; the black and white prints are the most-often-seen version of the film, however. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 2 min.
Directed By: Albert Parker
Written By: Douglas Fairbanks, Jack Cunningham
Genres: Classics, Action & Adventure

In Theaters: Mar 8, 1926 Wide
On DVD: Oct 12, 1999

Critic Reviews

Philip French, Guardian [UK]
The authentic, silent, swashbuckling classic, an early two-colour Technicolor production that the athletic Douglas Fairbanks starred in 85 years ago.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
For this film, Fairbanks scaled back, making it his shortest and least extravagant.
Chris Cabin, Slant Magazine
A standard-bearer for all swashbuckling pictures, if not the standard-bearer, The Black Pirate returns as a crackerjack entertainment, a historical benchmark, and yet another shrine to movie love courtesy of Kino.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Silent Fairbanks has acrobatic Doug and great effects.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Good swashbuckler in early Technicolor marred by stiff direction from Parker.
Steven D. Greydanus, Decent Films Guide
One of the silent era’s most spectacular action blockbusters… Fairbanks’s astonishing acrobatics remain dazzling today.
Gregory Weinkauf, New Times
The best stunts were actually performed by Richard Talmadge, but Fairbanks is captivating.

Read all 7 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Stella D

one of the first films made entirely in the two-strip technicolor process, fairbanks is always tremendous fun, and it's in public domain so u can watch it here http://www.youtube.com/user/openflix
AJ V

A fantastic pirate movie! I really enjoyed it, it's got adventure, action, excitement, romance, and even technicolor! Fairbanks was an amazing acrobat, and a good choice for a pirate movie. If you like pirate movies, I highly recommend this classic film.
Alexander W

As far as pirate classics go them this is cinema treat. It was released in 1926. Shot in black and white and above all a silent movie, its still 1.5 hours in length and all the action and mystery you would expect from a pirate film.
Chris B

A Classic from the silent-era and a wonderful pirate film that has action, romance and amazing stunts. Douglas Fairbanks is incredible in the lead role and the film is just a pure pleasure to watch! Highly Recommended if you are into Silent films!