The Pirates of Penzance (1983)
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83% of critics liked it
(12 reviews) -
75% of users liked it
(8,359 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… 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
- Directed By
- Joshua White, Wilford Leach
- Genres
- Action & Adventure, Musical & Performing Arts, Comedy
G,
- In Theaters
- Feb 18, 1983 Wide
- On DVD
- Dec 30, 2003
- Studio
- Universal Studios
Critic Reviews
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Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Grand operatic fun with dashing Kline and wonderful supporting cast.
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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.
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Michael A. Smith, Nolan's Pop Culture Review
Well made musical. Proof that Kline can do ANYTHING!
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James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
A delight, beautifully sung by Kline, Ronstadt and Lansbury
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Kevin Kline
as The Pirate King
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Angela Lansbury
as Ruth
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Linda Ronstadt
as Mabel
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George Rose
as Maj.-Gen. Stanley
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Rex Smith
as Frederic
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Tony Azito
as Sergeant
- John Bett
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Peppi Borza
as Policeman
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Romolo Bruni
as Captain
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Louise Gold
as Edith
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David Hatton
as Samuel
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Preston Lockwood
as Conductor
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G.B. "Zoot" Money
as Pirate
- Linda Spurrier
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Tilly Vosburgh
as Daughter
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Nancy Wood
as Other Daughter
- Zulema Dene
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Mike Grady
as Pirate
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Clare McIntyre
as Daughter
- Carol MacReady
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Tim Bentinck
as Pirate
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Teresa Codling
as Kate
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Maurice Lane
as Policeman
- Alexandra Korey
- Alice Playten
- Audrey Lavine
- Dennis Warning
- G. Eugene Moose
- Marcie Shaw
- Patricia Routledge
- Wendy Wolfe
