Movie Description
The rollicking, unconventional swashbuckler PIRATES is Roman Polanski's take on a genre heretofore unexplored by the director: the action-adventure movie. Walter Matthau dons a British accent as Captain Red, the most fearsome pirate on the seven seas--a part Polanski had originally conceived for Jack Nicholson after their successful collaboration on CHINATOWN in 1974. Red and his sidekick, a hot-headed young Frenchman known only as "the Frog" (Cris Campion) find their way aboard a Spanish galleon (a stunning replica of a 17th Century ship constructed for the movie at a cost of $8 million) and discover an ancient golden Aztec throne hidden away under the deck. The two pirates instigate a mutiny, enlisting the help of the disgruntled crew to take over the ship and gain possession of the treasure, but the encounter multifarious distractions, such as the Frog unexpectedly falling for a young noblewoman (Charlotte Lewis) on board who also happens to be the second mate's (Damien Thomas) fiancée. Things don't go exactly as planned. PIRATES is jolly good fun, with Polanski demonstrating his usual flair for the absurd and the offbeat.
| Credits | | Producer: | Tarak Ben Ammar, Thom Mount | | Cast: | Daniel Emilfork, David Kelly, Roy Kinnear |
Notes
Color by Satpec and Eclair; Shot in Panavision; Folair Prints.
The film started shooting in 1984, on location in Tunisia, Malta and the Seychelles islands.
Shown at the Cannes Film Festival (out of competition) May 8, 1986.
Director Roman Polanski first announced that he wanted to do this project in 1976, starring Jack Nicholas and Isabelle Adjani.
The production reportedly cost over $30 million to make.
Editorial Reviews
"...Campion projects a pleasant personality..."
Variety - Lor. (05/14/1986)
"...The film is as handsome and authentic-looking a period production as one could wish....PIRATES has its sly, funny moments..."
Los Angeles Times - Kevin Thomas (07/19/1986)
| See an error? Submit a change request |
All rights reserved.
