For what it is, "The Crimson Pirate" is a simple, but genuine pleasure. Lancaster and his former circus partner have real chemistry on screen - they're funny when they want to be and dashing when the script calls for it. They do their own stunts in well choreographed set pieces, and they make it look easy (even fun). The heroes are dashing, the villains are nasty and conniving, the costumes and sets are a treat to behold, and the plot (which doesn't worry too much about little things like "historical accuracy") moves along briskly.
I've always liked Lancaster as an actor, but this was my first exposure to him as a sex symbol. Now I can see where the reputation came from. That dazzling smile seems to be at least a yard wide and the guy was built better than 99% of his "leading man" peers. No one ever looked so good in a puffy sleeved shirt. Even if the rest of the movie sucked, his role would make it worth watching.
Really, really good "classic" stuff. If you have any interest at all in the Errol Flynn/Douglas Fairbanks Jr. "swashbuckling" genre, you ought to see "The Crimson Pirate".
I've always liked Lancaster as an actor, but this was my first exposure to him as a sex symbol. Now I can see where the reputation came from. That dazzling smile seems to be at least a yard wide and the guy was built better than 99% of his "leading man" peers. No one ever looked so good in a puffy sleeved shirt. Even if the rest of the movie sucked, his role would make it worth watching.
Really, really good "classic" stuff. If you have any interest at all in the Errol Flynn/Douglas Fairbanks Jr. "swashbuckling" genre, you ought to see "The Crimson Pirate".