The Black Pirate poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Douglas Fairbanks, Billie Dove, Tempe Piggott, Donald Crisp, Anders Randolf ... see more see more... , Sam De Grasse , Charles Stevens , John Wallace , Fred Becker , E.J. Ratcliffe , Charles Belcher , Mrs. Piggolt

The Black Pirate was hailed in 1926 as the "return" of the Douglas Fairbanks who'd breezed through several peppy comedies before starring in lavish costume epics like Robin Hood (1922) and Thief of Ba... read more read more...gdad (1924). The story involves a young nobleman (Fairbanks) whose father is killed by pirates. He vows to avenge his dad's death by becoming a buccaneer himself and routing out the villains. Along the way, he rescues damsel-in-distress Billie Dove (likewise of noble birth) and engages in a few bloody duels with the swarthy likes of Sam De Grasse and Anders Randolph. Charlie Stevens, a grandson of American Indian chief Geronimo -- and whom Fairbanks regarded as a "lucky charm" -- appears in several tiny roles. The Black Pirate was originally presented in two-color Technicolor form; the black and white prints are the most-often-seen version of the film, however. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

60% liked it

1,331 ratings

Critics

100% liked it

9 critics

Unrated, 2 hr. 2 min.

Directed by: Albert Parker

Release Date: March 8, 1926

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: October 12, 1999

Stats: 56 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

Douglas Fairbanks and Billie Dove The Black Pirate The Black Pirate The Black Pirate The Black Pirate
Upload a Photo | View All The Black Pirate Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (56)

  • rubystevens
    March 11, 2011
    rubystevens
    one of the first films made entirely in the two-strip technicolor process, fairbanks is always tremendous fun, and it's in public domain so u can watch it here http://www.youtube.com/user/openflix
  • ajv2688
    November 27, 2010
    ajv2688
    A fantastic pirate movie! I really enjoyed it, it's got adventure, action, excitement, romance, and even technicolor! Fairbanks was an amazing acrobat, and a good choice for a pirate movie. If you like pirate movies, I highly recommend this classic film.
  • rezpatriot
    April 11, 2009
    rezpatriot
    As far as pirate classics go them this is cinema treat. It was released in 1926. Shot in black and white and above all a silent movie, its still 1.5 hours in length and all the action and mystery you would expect from a pirate film.
  • fb208103125
    September 30, 2011
    fb208103125
    A Classic from the silent-era and a wonderful pirate film that has action, romance and amazing stunts. Douglas Fairbanks is incredible in the lead role and the film is just a pure pleasure to watch! Highly Recommended if you are into Silent films!
  • sinjinsb
    August 13, 2007
    sinjinsb
    I knew little of this film before watching it, but am glad I found it. It's an excellent early film about a group of cutthroats. The thing that surprised me the most was that it was in color. It was filmed using the experimental two-color technicolor process. After watching the "... read moreMaking of", apparently Douglas Fairbanks was a real pioneer in that area and did much research on color film. This was my first Fairbanks film and I was quite impressed with not only his screen presence, but his ability to do impressive stuntwork, including the infamous sliding down a sail on a knife. This film had all the requirements of a pirate movie... Swordplay, torture, murder, robbery, kidnapping, romance, and even walking the plank. As well as the infamous quote, "Dead men tell no tales!". It had a decent score by Mortimer Wilson that was mostly fitting. One scene I found amusing, was when the pirates drew lots for the monkey. If you're a fan of pirate movies, this is a must see. I found it quite enjoyable.

View All The Black Pirate Reviews

Critic Reviews

Philip French
May 15, 2011
Philip French, Guardian [UK]

The authentic, silent, swashbuckling classic, an early two-colour Technicolor production that the athletic Douglas Fairbanks starred in 85 years ago. Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
December 24, 2010
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

For this film, Fairbanks scaled back, making it his shortest and least extravagant. Full Review

Steve Crum
October 25, 2004
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan

Silent Fairbanks has acrobatic Doug and great effects.

Ken Hanke
January 29, 2004
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Good swashbuckler in early Technicolor marred by stiff direction from Parker.

Steven D. Greydanus
July 25, 2003
Steven D. Greydanus, Decent Films Guide

One of the silent era’s most spectacular action blockbusters… Fairbanks’s astonishing acrobatics remain dazzling today. Full Review

Gregory Weinkauf
September 12, 2002
Gregory Weinkauf, New Times

The best stunts were actually performed by Richard Talmadge, but Fairbanks is captivating.

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Mordaunt Hall
March 25, 2006
Mordaunt Hall, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

J. R. Jones
January 20, 2004
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
August 22, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • The Crimson Pirate
    The Crimson Pirate (0%)
  • The Pirate
    The Pirate (0%)
  • Blackbeard the Pirate
    Blackbeard the Pirate (67%)
  • The Black Swan
    The Black Swan (0%)

More Movies like The Black Pirate

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

The Black Pirate : Watch Free on TV

The Black Pirate Trivia

  • How many pirate skeletons were hung up when jack sparrow enters port royal (pirates of the carribean: curse of the black pearl)??  Answer »
  • In what movie did Lee Arenberg say "Your'e supposed to be dead!" to the worlds favoutire pirate?  Answer »
  • What is the famous pirate ship called in Pirates Of The Carribean  Answer »
  • what 3 movies did johnney depp star in as a pirate?  Answer »
More The Black Pirate Trivia

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for The Black Pirate. Want to create one?

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All The Black Pirate Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add The Black Pirate to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?