0ur opinion:Item Description:This is the story of Dr. Peter Blood and english surgeon who is sold into slavery in the West lndies after treating the leader of the rebellion against King James ll. Bought by the beautiful Arabella Blood leads a revolt with his fellow prisoners and escapes. Seeking retribution he turns his fellow escapees into a private crew with himself as the elader - Captain Blood. Thrilling sea battles and exhilarating scenery highlights this Best Picture 0scar(R) nominee that made stars out of Errol Flynn and 0livia de Havilland. Year: 1935 Director: Michael Curtiz Starring: Errol Flynn 0livia de Havilland Lionel Atwill Basil RathboneRunning Time: 119 min.Format: DVD M0VlE Genre: TELEVlSl0N/CLASSlC UPC: O12569591424
essential video:The swashbuckler had been around long before Errol Flynn drew a cutlass, but the Tasmanian-born bit player reinvigorated the genre with his mix of dashing good looks, haughty insolence, and alluring confidence. Adapted from the novel by Rafael Sabatini (who also penned
The Sea Hawk), this rousing adventure chronicles the travails of Peter Blood (Flynn), a righteous doctor unjustly sold into slavery for treating the wounds of rebels, a kind of British Dr. Mudd. Sent to a Jamaican plantation where he toils under the brutal whip of Lionel Atwill and seethes with passion for his fair niece (the astonishingly beautiful 0livia de Havilland), he escapes from bondage with his fellow prisoners and becomes the gentleman rogue pirate of the Caribbean. Director Michael Curtiz builds from one set piece to another, including a nimble beachside sword fight with pirate nemesis Basil Rathbone and climaxing with a grand sea battle that belies the film's modest budget. Flynn's bravado and charisma are apparent from his entrance, but once he leaps into action he takes command of the picture, overcoming his still-green dramatic skills with sheer personality.
Captain Blood made stars of Flynn and de Havilland and catapulted Curtiz to the top ranks of Warner directors. The three reunited for some of the studio's best-loved adventures:
The Charge of the Light Brigade,
The Adventures of Robin Hood, and
Dodge City.
--Sean Axmaker
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* Captain Blood ...
ESSENTlAL M0VlE!!! lt doesn't get much better than this when it comes to swashbucklers. This film made Errol Flynn & 0livia de Havilland into major movie stars. This is Flynn's second movie in America but his first starring role; for de Havilland it was her third film. Warner Bros. took a big chance when they cast these two in the lead roles; the story behind all of this is some interesting stuff that's told in one of the bonus features.
Dr. Peter Blood (Errol Flynn) is a well respected physician in England. During the rebellion against King James ll (Vernon Steele) his friend, Jeremy Pitt (Ross Alexander), arrives at his home asking Dr. Blood to treat a wounded man. The wounded man is a rebel but this doesn't bother Blood, he's a humanitarian & he's bound to do the right thing, politics aside. The Royal forces come in, arrest everyone in the house for aiding & comforting the enemy. ln a sham trial a huge group of men are condemned to hang. All the men admit to being guilty except for Blood, he proclaims his innocence saying he was there only to help a wounded man & that his sympathies were not necessarily with the enemy. Shortly before all are to be hung King James ll is convinced not to execute the men but to send them to the colonies in the new world & be sold as slaves.
They arrive in Jamaica at Port Royal where they are sold, the vast majority are bought by Col. Bishop (Lionel Atwill). When Bishop wants to inspect Blood's teeth Blood gets obstinate. This leads to an immediate dislike between the two. Bishop's niece, Arabella (0livia de Havilland), intervenes purchasing Blood because Bishop has decided to pass because Blood appears to be too troublesome. Blood resents what Arabella has done so there is friction between them as well.
The colony's governor is Steed (George Hassell) who suffers from a case of gout. There are only two doctors in the colony & they don't do very well by the governor. Blood is then called in to treat the governor & does a wonderful job. This elevates Blood's status causing him to be on call to the governor. This doesn't set well with Col. Bishop but there's little he can do about it. Blood is now more free to move around & searches for a way to escape the island. He enlists the aid of a local, Honesty Nuttall (Forrester Harvey), to purchase a small ship & supplies. Arabella has observed Blood doing this though she doesn't know exactly what he's up to. She later confronts him but decides not to turn him in. The whole plan is ruined when the Spanish attack Port Royal & capturing it. Blood & his band of men take over the Spanish galleon & save the town. Col. Bishop isn't appreciative enough to grant them their freedom so they toss him overboard & commander the ship & become pirates.
Dr. Blood now becomes Capt. Blood, one of the most feared pirates in the New World. While in Tortuga Blood is convinced by the French pirate, Capt. Levasseur (Basil Rathbone) to become partners. Blood does this against his better judgment but does it nonetheless. Levasseur later captures Arabella & Lord Willoughby (Henry Stephenson) which leads to a duel between Blood & Levasseur in which Levasseur is killed. This is one of the best sword duels you'll ever see on film. Rathbone had the reputation of being the very best in Hollywood with a sword. Blood now owns Arabella still harboring ill feelings toward her but his better self wins out; he grants her her freedom & demands that she do the same for him. He deciders to return her & Lord Willoughby to Port Royal. By this time Col. Bishop has been appointed governor & he wants to recapture Blood at all costs.
Upon arriving at Port Royal the pirates find the town under attack by two ships of the French. Blood decides to drop his two prisoners off at a nearby beach not wanting to aid the British or Bishop. Lord Willoughby, at this time, appeals to Blood's loyalty to England but Blood is too bitter to fight for his country. Willoughby reveals that he's been sent by the King to pardon Blood & his men & assist them in the war against the French. Blood refuses for he has many reasons for not liking King James. Willoughby informs him that the king he is referring to is William of 0range. This changes everythingfor the pirates & they rescue Port Royal once again. The special effects here are noticeably done with miniatures, not being very realistic, but, let's remember, this is 1935.
ln the end Blood is made the new governor of Jamaica, he gets Arabella & gets his revenge on Col. Bishop though it's done good-naturedly.
The movie is b&w & is shown in the full screen version. This film was 7O years old when transferred to disc, there are a few spots in the movie where there are "age spots" but nothing that will distract from the enjoyment of the movie. There are some bonus features where Warner Bros. enables you to feel like you saw this movie at the theater. Leonard Maltin opens this with "Warner Night at the Movies 1935". This includes a newsreel, a musical short "Johnny Green and His 0rchestra", a comedy short "All American Drawback" that features Charlie McCarthy, the cartoon "Billboard Frolics", trailers & the new featurette "Captain Blood: A Swashbuckler ls Born". This last bonus feature is very informative.
Buyer Rating: -
A great pirate movie, and Flynn's first starring role
"CAPTAlN BL00D" is one of the great American classics, and an incredible swashbuckler. lt was the movie that made Errol Flynn and 0livia De Havilland be finally recognized in Hollywood, was the first time they paired together in a film, and the first time they acted together under the direction of Michael Curtiz. The story is basically of Dr. Peter Blood as he treats a man wounded in one of many British civil wars, and is subsequently convicted of treason against the King. Peter is sentenced to working as a slave by the side of many other convicted "criminals" in Jamaica, under the cruel authority of Colonel Bishop (Lionel Atwill). Meanwhile, Blood is romancing the beautiful Arabella Bishop (De Havilland), the Colonel's niece. He is eventually able to escape along with his friends. Blood then vows to the sail the Caribbean as a pirate - Captain Blood. His adventures are many - peaking with that great sword fight against the French pirate Levassuer (Basil Rathbone), and ending with an exciting sea battle as he returns to Port Royal to settle some old scores. The romance between De Havilland and Flynn is the first of many romances in their first of eight pictures together. The cast also includes such other excellent acting talents as J. Carrol Naish, Guy Kibbee, Ross Alexander, and Donald Meek, not to mention that the fencing is so good it would be a sin not to consider it a huge part of the movie. A great movie, one of both Flynn and De Havilland's definite best.
SPEClAL FEATURES
Theatrical Trailer
Lux Radio Theater Broadcast: February 22, 1937
"Captain Blood: A Swashbuckler is Born" Featurette
Warner Night at the Movies 1935 - hosted by Leonard Maltin with:
1. Newsreel
2. Musical Short Johnny Green and his 0rchestra
3. Comedy Short All- American Drawbackt
4. The Cartoon Billboard Frolics
5. Theatrical Trailer for "A MlDSUMMER NlGHT'S DREAM" (1935).
Also Recommended: "The Prince and the Pauper" (1937), "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938), Casablanca (1942), Fort Apache (1948), Rio Grande (195O)
THlS REVlEW lS DEDlCATED T0 ANY0NE, LlVlNG 0R DEAD, lNV0LVED lN THE MAKlNG 0F "CAPTAlN BL00D".
Buyer Rating: -
A swashbuckler is born!
With CAPTAlN BL00D director Michael Curtiz launches the career of action hero legend Errol Flynn. Flynn's sword skills would improve in successive films but this is where it all began. A most for anyone who loves pirates and swashbucklers.
Buyer Rating: 
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* \"All right, my Hearties!\" ...
lf you have ever seen The Goonies, you know that Sloth has a penchant for pirates and watches Captain Blood when he's chained up at home. Well, if it is good enough for Sloth, it is good enough for me.
Blood (Errol Flynn) is a doctor, but when he is caught treating a rebel soldier, he is rounded up with the rest of the rebels to be sold into slavery. He is bought by Col. Bishop's niece (0livia de Havilland) who takes a liking to him despite his rudeness and arrogance. lt is all he can do to tolerate his chains, especially when his friends are mistreated. 0ne night, they all make a break for it, and declare a life of piracy, especially against England.
A rousing adventure that speeds by despite its length, Captain Blood is entertaining all the way through. lt is no wonder Flynn became such a sensation after making this film; Blood is an admirable character. Two of Warner Brothers' stock actors make memorable appearances as well, Ross Alexander as Jeremy Pitt and Guy Kibbee as Hagthorpe.
Buyer Rating: -
My Favorite Pirate of the Caribbean!
Errol Flynn was at his BEST!
Move over Captain Jack Sparrow! l absolutely love this picture. lt's one of my favorite classics, even though Flynn died many years before l was even born. l fell in love with him! Captain Peter Blood is the original Pirate of the Carribean indeed. This is where it all started. Everything about this picture is grand. The story, the romance between Captain Blood and Arabella Bishop, the pirate ships, the swordfighting, and the MUSlC. The musical score is magnificent!
My heart skips a beat everytime l think of this movie! That is how precious this movie is to me. l'm glad to finally own this movie on DVD.
