Yellowbeard (1983)

22% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
61% of users liked it
(6,518 ratings)

This colorful spoof of pirate movies had all the makings of a classic farce and yet sank straight to Davy Jones' locker at the box-office, for despite it's all-star international cast of famous comedians, and despite the fact that it was largely co-written by "Monty Python"-veteran Graham Chapman… More This colorful spoof of pirate movies had all the makings of a classic farce and yet sank straight to Davy Jones' locker at the box-office, for despite it's all-star international cast of famous comedians, and despite the fact that it was largely co-written by "Monty Python"-veteran Graham Chapman and former "Fringie" Peter Cook, the darned thing just wasn't funny. The sketches center around the core story of the dread pirate Yellowbeard's quest for a fabulous treasure, the map for which is tattooed on the head of his prissy son, who wants nothing to do with ships and pirate shenanigans. This was the final film of bug-eyed, beloved comedian Marty Feldman, who died of heart-failure before production finished. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: Mel Damski
Genres: Action & Adventure, Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 24, 1983 Wide
On DVD: Jun 27, 2006
Studio: MGM

Critic Reviews

James Plath, Movie Metropolis
Chapman as Yellowbeard thankfully sustains us with a mesmerizing performance, as does Kahn whenever she's on-camera. There just aren't enough laughs.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
no laugh track to save us from dud after dud.
Kevin A. Ranson, MovieCrypt.com
More good than bad, worth owning.
James Plath, Reel.com
The humor is as spotty as the pirates are ratty.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Phil H

Pretty lame film with a sterling cast of legends most of which are sadly no longer with us, you could look at this as another 'Monty Python' type film along side others like 'Jabberwocky' and 'Time Bandits' but alas this film doesn't have much of the… More
Pretty lame film with a sterling cast of legends most of which are sadly no longer with us, you could look at this as another 'Monty Python' type film along side others like 'Jabberwocky' and 'Time Bandits' but alas this film doesn't have much of the laughs and visual flair that those films do. The plot is your basic Treasure Island type thing but just totally crazy and loony hehe most of the jokes are prat falls and childish along with allot of sexual japes, again which are kinda dumb and childish. Unfortunately this was the last proper film for 'Python' Graham Chapman and also the last film for British comedian Marty Feldman, its a shame that the film is known for those two sad reasons and not much else, only for total fans really as there isn't much to recommend in this silly film, even the stellar cast can't save it.
James A

Take actors from Mel Brooks, Monty Python, and Cheech & Chong movies and you get this slightly funny mess. John Cleese who was actually in the movie said it was the worst script he had ever read and Marty Feldmon died during filming.
Dean M

Poor pirate spoof film with comic talents including The Monty Python and Cheech & Chong.
Sunil J

Watchable and a promising plot but tries too hard to be clever.
Wu C

Loved it as a child. I guess it didn't stand the test of time. Still some funny moments.

Cast

            Graham Chapman as Yellowbeard

            Peter Boyle as Moon

            Tommy Chong as El Nebuloso

            Eric Idle as Cmdr. Clement

            Peter Cook as Lord Lambourn

            Marty Feldman as Gilbert

            John Cleese as Harvey "Blind" Pew

            Martin Hewitt as Dan

            Michael Hordern as Dr. Gilpin

            Madeline Kahn as Betty

            James Mason as Capt. Hughes

            Susannah York as Lady Churchill

            Greta Blackburn as Mr. Prostitute

            Álvaro Carcaño as Beggar

            John Dair as Big John

            Kenneth Danziger as Mr. Martin

            Bernard Fox as Tarbuck

            John Francis as Chaplain

            Ronald Lacey as Man with parrot

            Monte Landis as Prison Guard

            Kenneth Mars as Mr. Crisp and Verdugo

            Ferdinand "Ferdy" Mayne as Mr. Beamish

            Bernard McKenna as Askey

            Spike Milligan as Flunkie

            Stacey Nelkin as Triola

            Nigel Planer as Mansell

            Beryl Reid as Lady Lambourn

            Carlos Romano as Priest

            Nigel Stock as Admiral

            David Bowie as Henson

            Peter Bull as Queen Anne

            Cheech Marin as El Segundo

            Leopoldo Francés as Helmsman

            Richard Wren as Pirate
See full cast

Yellowbeard (1983)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Phil H

James A

Dean M

Sunil J

Wu C

Cast

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