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Charles Laughton, Randolph Scott, Barbara Britton, John Carradine, Reginald Owen ... see more see more... , Gilbert Roland , John Qualen , Sheldon Leonard , Abner Biberman , Ian Keith , William Farnum , Miles Mander , Henry Daniell , Charles B. Middleton , Ray Teal

It's every man for himself when Charles Laughton bites into the role of infamous 17th century pirate captain William Kidd. Hoping to further increase his ill-gotten gains, Captain Kidd inveigles King ... read more read more...William III (Henry Daniel) into appointing him the "patriotic" protector of a valuable treasure ship. Ostensibly hired to fend off enemy vessels, Kidd intends to steal the ship's cargo for himself with the aid of his swarthy lieutenants William Moore (Gilbert Roland) and Orange Povy (John Carradine). The romantic subplot is carried by "honest" brigand Adam Merry (Randolph Scott) and kidnapped noblewoman Lady Ann Falconer (Barbara Britton). Charles Laughton reprised his part in the 1952 farce Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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38% liked it

1,928 ratings

G, 1 hr. 23 min.

Directed by: Rowland V. Lee

Release Date: January 1, 1945

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DVD Release Date: May 22, 2001

Stats: 47 reviews

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Barbara Britton, Gilbert Roland and Randolph Scott Captain Kidd
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Flixster Reviews (47)

  • FilmFanatik
    March 4, 2012
    FilmFanatik
    Charles Laughton is NOT one of my favorite actors. I usually find him dull and boring. The only film he's in that I actually enjoyed was Island of Lost Souls, but that had more to do with the film's atmosphere and that Laughton was well-cast in the role. While he gave a good perf... read moreormance, it had more to do with Laughton as a person that influenced that performance, which is what made it good. I can't say I'm incredibly impressed with Randolph Scott either. I suppose if put in the right role, like Laughton, he'd pull something off good. This all leads me into Captain Kidd, which is about as boring as watching paint dry. The performances are terrible, the story is boring and meanders all over the place and there's really no high seas adventure, which is implied on the film's poster. It's just a boring mess, and I wanted it to end long before it even reached its halfway point. In other words, this is one of the most skippable movies you'll never see.
  • jjnxn
    February 23, 2011
    jjnxn
    With that cast it should have been better. Just sort of chugs along without the sense of derring do required for this kind of adventure. Scott looks ridiculous dressed up as a pirate, Laughton does his best but this is just blah.
  • rezpatriot
    April 3, 2009
    rezpatriot
    The acting is fairly good, and there is a lot of it. Don't be suprised not to find too much "high seas adventure" but more trasure and plunder. Black and White. focused more on story than much else. but with some beautiful scenes none the less.
  • trisarahtops22
    March 7, 2011
    trisarahtops22
    Would never watch this again.
  • Elentari948
    January 25, 2009
    Elentari948
    It was an okay movie. My copy was really cheap and pathetic so I missed out on some of the dialogue. I enjoyed watching the movie though even if it was predictable as hell.

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Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz
February 27, 2008
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Sails the high seas on Charles Laughton's sea legs. Full Review

Ken Hanke
February 11, 2004
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Laughton is good, but the film is a cheap, tepid affair that drove its director to quit movies.

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Bosley Crowther
March 25, 2006
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Carol Cling
March 12, 2004
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal

No review available.

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  • Who played the captain in "Abbott and Costello meet Captain Kidd"?   Answer »
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