The Pirates of Penzance (1983)

83% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
75% of users liked it
(8,189 ratings)

Joseph Papp's notion of staging one of Gilbert and Sullivan's best-loved operettas with two pop singers (Linda Ronstadt and Rex Smith) in the leads paid off as a surprise Broadway smash in the early 1980s, and this film faithfully reproduces Papp's production, featuring most of the original cast and… More Joseph Papp's notion of staging one of Gilbert and Sullivan's best-loved operettas with two pop singers (Linda Ronstadt and Rex Smith) in the leads paid off as a surprise Broadway smash in the early 1980s, and this film faithfully reproduces Papp's production, featuring most of the original cast and the original director. Frederic (Smith) has been taught since childhood to be a sea-going bandit by the Pirate King (Kevin Kline), but with his 21st birthday imminent, Frederic wants to leave pirating behind, especially after he becomes infatuated with innocent Mabel (Ronstadt). But the Pirate King informs Frederic that since he was born on the last day of February on a Leap Year, his 21st birthday won't roll around for some time yet, and he still owes the King some raiding on the high seas. To Frederic's embarrassment, the Pirate King's next target turns out to be Major General Stanley (George Rose), Mabel's father! The Pirates of Penzance also features Angela Lansbury as Ruth (the sole major casting change from the Broadway production -- Estelle Parsons played the role on stage). ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 52 min.
Directed By: Joshua White, Wilford Leach
Genres: Action & Adventure, Musical & Performing Arts, Comedy

In Theaters: Feb 18, 1983 Wide
On DVD: Dec 30, 2003

Critic Reviews

Fr. Chris Carpenter, Movie Dearest
Delightful. Director Wilford Leach...utilizes fabulous, highly-stylized soundstage sets, a bold color palette (which absolutely pops on the new DVD) and a decidedly campy approach.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Grand operatic fun with dashing Kline and wonderful supporting cast.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Leach seems utterly mired in the staginess of it all -- a problem exacerbated by his insistence on presenting the film with patently unreal stage settings.
Michael A. Smith, Nolan's Pop Culture Review
Well made musical. Proof that Kline can do ANYTHING!
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
A delight, beautifully sung by Kline, Ronstadt and Lansbury

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Stagy but exuberant. The cast members give it their all.
Red L

I was in the chorus of the Pirates of Penzance in high school, so I always wanted to see this to see if it stirred any memories. I hope our school version 45 years ago was better than this movie as I thought it was terrible. Hard to follow the words. Rather silly story. Unless you… More
I was in the chorus of the Pirates of Penzance in high school, so I always wanted to see this to see if it stirred any memories. I hope our school version 45 years ago was better than this movie as I thought it was terrible. Hard to follow the words. Rather silly story. Unless you are a fan of operettas, skip this movie.
Mason W

I love this movie. Ever since seeing it when it came out in 1983 it has been a favorite of mine. If you love musicals you will enjoy it. Linda Ronstadt, Rex Smith, Angela Lansbury, & Kevin Kline are a great cast in this film. Linda Ronstadt and Rex Smith are at there peak. Check… More
I love this movie. Ever since seeing it when it came out in 1983 it has been a favorite of mine. If you love musicals you will enjoy it. Linda Ronstadt, Rex Smith, Angela Lansbury, & Kevin Kline are a great cast in this film. Linda Ronstadt and Rex Smith are at there peak. Check this gem out...though it is hard to find on tv.
Lafe F

Not as great as "The Pirate Movie" but still has enjoyable operetta music and fun scenes.
meril l

Who would actually want to sit through this whole thing in one sitting I don't know; but it is still SO much fun (& Rex is so cute hahahahaha)!!

Cast

            Kevin Kline as The Pirate King

            Angela Lansbury as Ruth

            Linda Ronstadt as Mabel

            George Rose as Maj.-Gen. Stanley

            Rex Smith as Frederic

            Tony Azito as Sergeant

            John Bett
            
            Peppi Borza as Policeman

            Romolo Bruni as Captain

            Louise Gold as Edith

            David Hatton as Samuel

            Preston Lockwood as Conductor

            G.B. "Zoot" Money as Pirate

            Linda Spurrier
            
            Tilly Vosburgh as Daughter

            Nancy Wood as Other Daughter

            Zulema Dene
            
            Mike Grady as Pirate

            Clare McIntyre as Daughter

            Carol MacReady
            
            Tim Bentinck as Pirate

            Teresa Codling as Kate

            Maurice Lane as Policeman

            Alexandra Korey
            
            Alice Playten
            
            Audrey Lavine
            
            Dennis Warning
            
            G. Eugene Moose
            
            Marcie Shaw
            
            Patricia Routledge
            
            Wendy Wolfe
            
See full cast