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A treasure from the Golden Age of pirate movies : Powered by Amazon
Posted on 2006-07-13 |
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| Errol Flynn may have been a tad past his prime when he buckled his swash in this pirate adventure, but the resulting movie, (co-starring Maureen O'Hara and Anthony Quinn,) is still a gem and it inspired a 1967 tongue-in-cheek re-make with Doug McClure called "The King's Pirate." Both movies begin with the stripped-to-the-waist leading man being given a shipboard flogging. Flynn's flogging ranks 27th in the book, "Lash! The Hundred Great Scenes of Men Being Whipped in the Movies," whereas McClure's flogging ranks 19th. This doesn't mean that "The King's Pirate" is a better movie. It just means that McClure was younger and in better shape when he took off his shirt! |
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AN OLDER FLYNN STILL HAS SOME CHARM : Powered by Amazon
Posted on 2005-03-30 |
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Against all Flags was made in 1952 when flynn was clearly on the downside of his career. His legal troubles and his drinking had taken its toll on him both physically and mentally and he no longer exuded that boyish charm that fans had come to adore in the 30's and early 1940's. Despite Flynn's condition, he still manages to pull off an effective swashbuckler and is greatly helped along by the presence of Anthony Quinn and Maureen O' Hara.
Flynn plays Brian Hawke, a British Naval officer posing as a Pirate to infiltrate their ranks and to eventually get information on their island defenses in Madagascar for the English. Accepted by the Pirate ranks Flynn still comes under the suspicion of the ship's Captain Roc Brasilano (Quinn) who takes an immediate dislike to him. O' Hara plays female pirate "spitfire" Stevens who eventually becomes the object of both men's desire. Complicating matters for Flynn is a rescued Indian princess Patma (Alice Kelley) who immediately becomes smitten with Hawke. All this leads to an eventual confrontation and duel between Flynn and Quinn in a well-shot sword battle.
Shot in Technicolor the scenery is just gorgeous and you only wish that Flynn's earlier films like The Sea Hawk had been in color as well. The cinematography is quite breath-taking. Despite playin the tough female role, O' Hara is still treated like "a woman" which I'm sure she wasn't happy about. Hollywood proved it was still a bit racist even in the 1950's as Alice kelley doesn't look remotely Indian in her role as Princess Patma. Quinn does the best with his role playing yet another ethnic villian, this time a ruthless Spaniard.
Despite his age and physical condition, Flynn still manages enough of the old charm and charisma to pull off this part. He was only 43 but his hard-living lifestyle made him look older. All in all while Against All Flags will never be remembered as one of Flynn's best films, it has enough going for it to be recommended for his fans or fans of the swashbuckling genre. |
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Forgotton but not forgetable : Powered by Amazon
Posted on 2002-02-11 |
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| Errol Flynn leads a great cast including Maureen O'Hara, Anthony Quinn and Mildred Natwick in his last true swashbuckler. Flynn plays an English officer going undercover to infiltrate a pirate haven. He crosses swords with both O'Hara & Quinn during the spectacle. Though Flynn is the star the interplay between O'Hara & Quinn is at least as interesting as the play between her and Flynn. O'Hara handles a sword well and is believeable as a lady pirate. I always felt that in the battle of strong women (O'Hara vs Hepburn) O'Hara would win. It is the rare movie when she plays the fem fatale (I think I remember one picture with Tyrone Power.) Flynn is older and subdued in comparison to his Captian Blood days, but he pulls off his role with style, and Anthony Quinn shows why he was an active actor right until the end, (it would be 40 years later when he would finally win O'Hara in ONLY THE LONELY.) A very hard movie to find, but worth the effort. |
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good fun and exciting action : Powered by Amazon
Posted on 1999-01-03 |
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| Errol Flynn is his usual devil may care self and gives a performance that is pure fun to watch, almost as good as The Adventures of Robin Hood. Maureen O'Hara is funny and feisty as the pirate girl who captures Flynn's heart. The fighting is amazing that no one was really hurt soing this film. It's great fun and I wish it was available to purchase. |
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