by Rosemary Boyle
It’s something of a shame, then, that the first, and sometimes only, thing that springs to mind at the mention of pirate movies is the high-camp and hijinks of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. For sure, Depp and co. have plenty of fans, and some of them are even old enough to possess a driving license. But there is so much more to the pirate movie genre, as the following examples illustrate.
Moonfleet
An orphaned boy is sent to live on the rugged Dorset coast in the south of England with a man who might or might not be a pirate and who might or might not be his father. It’s a tale straight out of the adventure comics of the time, and yet it resonates as much 65 years on as it did in the 1950s. There’s no shortage of swashbuckling action as young John accompanies his new guardian on a quest to find a priceless diamond. But it’s the underlying themes of parenting and loyalty that will stay with you long after the credits roll. A must-see for all ages.
The Goonies
One of the genuine classics to come out of the 1980s, this is one of those movies that sucks you in and just dares you not to have a good time. It follows a group of misfit kids who happen to stumble on a treasure map. There are pirate moments aplenty as the quest takes them through dangerous challenges on both land and sea. Look out for Sean Astin, Corey Feldman and Josh Brolin in one of their earliest roles.
Captain James Cook
Not a movie per se, but this made-for-TV Australian three-parter is worthy of inclusion as it provides the best insight into one of seafaring’s most famous names. The real-life adventures of Captain Cook have been explored at length in books and documentaries. His fame is such that there is even a Disney restaurant and a themed website with plenty of games to play, all named in his honour. Yet ABC was the first to commission a film adaptation of his exploits. It starred Keith Mitchell, the highly respected Shakespearian actor, in the title role, and there were three two-hour instalments, covering each of his three famous voyages.
Treasure Island
Finally, the ultimate pirate story, which translated into the ultimate pirate movie. There have been eight movies based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel, but the 1950 Walt Disney production has yet to be matched. This was Disney’s first completely live action film, but is such a polished production, you’d find that hard to believe. This is also the version that remains the most faithful to the original material.
