39 reviews
- classicsoncall
- Aug 22, 2006
- Permalink
- michaelRokeefe
- Nov 7, 2006
- Permalink
There's plenty of good action and intrigue in this fictionalized account of the infamous "Captain Kidd". Charles Laughton is in his element as the treacherous, clever pirate captain, and he is given good support from the rest of the cast and from the overall production.
The story starts with Kidd having just successfully completed one of his attacks, and using it as a springboard for a more ambitious and daring plan to make himself an English lord. Despite the rather far-fetched nature both of his scheme and of much of the plot as a whole, Laughton's rousing performance and the movie's other strengths carry everything off nicely.
The story setup is nicely conceived, pitting Kidd and his deceitful scheming against some fully worthy adversaries with plots and secrets of their own, with John Carradine enjoyably spiteful as Kidd's long-time untrustworthy partner, and Randolph Scott as a mysterious convict who gets recruited to be Kidd's master gunner. The three of them join in an entertaining battle of nerves and wits, with most of the other characters serving as useful pawns in their game. Reginald Owen also pitches in as something of a wild card character whose loyalties are, for a time, uncertain.
The action sequences are good, and they are also interspersed at well-chosen intervals in the main plot. It has plenty of interesting detail that sets off the action nicely. This is the kind of action-packed movie that, as long as you don't pause to analyze it too closely, provides very good entertainment with a lot of interesting story developments.
The story starts with Kidd having just successfully completed one of his attacks, and using it as a springboard for a more ambitious and daring plan to make himself an English lord. Despite the rather far-fetched nature both of his scheme and of much of the plot as a whole, Laughton's rousing performance and the movie's other strengths carry everything off nicely.
The story setup is nicely conceived, pitting Kidd and his deceitful scheming against some fully worthy adversaries with plots and secrets of their own, with John Carradine enjoyably spiteful as Kidd's long-time untrustworthy partner, and Randolph Scott as a mysterious convict who gets recruited to be Kidd's master gunner. The three of them join in an entertaining battle of nerves and wits, with most of the other characters serving as useful pawns in their game. Reginald Owen also pitches in as something of a wild card character whose loyalties are, for a time, uncertain.
The action sequences are good, and they are also interspersed at well-chosen intervals in the main plot. It has plenty of interesting detail that sets off the action nicely. This is the kind of action-packed movie that, as long as you don't pause to analyze it too closely, provides very good entertainment with a lot of interesting story developments.
- Snow Leopard
- Jan 8, 2006
- Permalink
This low-budget swashbuckler starts on Magadascar where Captain Kidd (Charles Laughton)attacks the vessel called ¨twelve apostles¨. London, 1699, Captain Kidd receives a card from the King William III(Henry Daniell): ¨Upon the solicitation of my Lord Bellomont, his Majesty is graciously pleased to order to attend up him at Hampton court , upon the morning of November 13, at nine of the clock , captain William Kidd, ship master, of New York, with intent to discuss a voyage of portent to the waters of India and Magadascar¨.Then Kidd is assigned by King William III to escort on the high seas a ship plenty of treasures from Calcuta until England. As he enlists a misfit crew(Scott, Roland,Qualen, among others) formed by thieves and killers, including to Orange Poverty(John Carradine) who had previously abandoned on an island of Magadascar.
Charles Laughton made an excellent acting as Kidd, a roguish, sly, ironic and traitor pirate, lookalike his character of ¨Jamaica Inn¨ by Hitchcock. Later he retook this role in farce style with ¨Abbot and Costello meet captain Kidd¨ by Charles Barton. However the starring Randolph Scott is miscast because is usually in Western and here he's out. Good secondary cast formed by prestigious secondaries as John Carradine,Henry Daniell,John Carradine, John Qualen, Reginald Owen and Gilbert Roland. the motion picture is professionally directed by Rowland V Lee.
The story is partially based on real events , the actual deeds happened of the following manner : Kidd was born 1865, Scotland. The military staff hires him to command the ship called ¨Blessed William¨ during the war of nine years(1688-1697) between England and France. Then Kidd sacks the vessel Marie Galante and numerous French warships.After gets license from British admiralty for exercise as buccaneer, commanding the ¨Adventure Galley¨ with 34 cannons and 80 men. He decides to plunder the ¨Quedagh Merchant¨a galley full of treasures and another ships of various countries. Then the captain found himself held capture and transported to England where he was condemned to death penalty in 1701. He was hung but the rope broke itself two times. His corpse was charged in chains throughout of river Thames as warning and punishment.
Another films about this historical character are : ¨Double crossbones¨(1950) by Charles Barton with Alan Napier as Kidd; ¨Against all flaggs¨(1952) with Robert Warwick as Kidd; ¨Great adventures of Captain Kidd¨ with John Crawford; and ¨Kidd and the slave girl¨(1954) by Lew Landers and Anthony Dexter as the famous pirate.
Charles Laughton made an excellent acting as Kidd, a roguish, sly, ironic and traitor pirate, lookalike his character of ¨Jamaica Inn¨ by Hitchcock. Later he retook this role in farce style with ¨Abbot and Costello meet captain Kidd¨ by Charles Barton. However the starring Randolph Scott is miscast because is usually in Western and here he's out. Good secondary cast formed by prestigious secondaries as John Carradine,Henry Daniell,John Carradine, John Qualen, Reginald Owen and Gilbert Roland. the motion picture is professionally directed by Rowland V Lee.
The story is partially based on real events , the actual deeds happened of the following manner : Kidd was born 1865, Scotland. The military staff hires him to command the ship called ¨Blessed William¨ during the war of nine years(1688-1697) between England and France. Then Kidd sacks the vessel Marie Galante and numerous French warships.After gets license from British admiralty for exercise as buccaneer, commanding the ¨Adventure Galley¨ with 34 cannons and 80 men. He decides to plunder the ¨Quedagh Merchant¨a galley full of treasures and another ships of various countries. Then the captain found himself held capture and transported to England where he was condemned to death penalty in 1701. He was hung but the rope broke itself two times. His corpse was charged in chains throughout of river Thames as warning and punishment.
Another films about this historical character are : ¨Double crossbones¨(1950) by Charles Barton with Alan Napier as Kidd; ¨Against all flaggs¨(1952) with Robert Warwick as Kidd; ¨Great adventures of Captain Kidd¨ with John Crawford; and ¨Kidd and the slave girl¨(1954) by Lew Landers and Anthony Dexter as the famous pirate.
I had limited expectations coming into my viewing of Captain Kidd, but found myself pleasantly surprised. Unfortunately, the actual quality of the film I saw was rather poor, resulting in a dark and poor quality screening. Otherwise I found the film to be basically fun. Oh, there's not really much action going on, which is disappointing considering it is a pirate film taking place on the high seas, but the playfulness of the script and exuberance of Laughton's performance makes up for several of the shortcomings of Captain Kidd to make it a solid pirate/seafaring film worth checking out if you're interested.
- rmax304823
- Jun 27, 2014
- Permalink
- Cristi_Ciopron
- Oct 21, 2008
- Permalink
Capt. William Kidd (Charles Laughton) sinks and loots English galleon The Twelve Apostles. He and four others carry the treasure chest to a remote island. Nobody trusts him. When he gets challenged, he shoots and buries one man with the loot. It's 1699 London. Kidd offers himself as a honest man looking for a privateer commission from the King. The King believes his lies and assigns him to escort Quedagh Merchant back to England. The King even allows him to recruit a new crew from imprisoned pirates among them is quarrelsome Adam Mercy (Randolph Scott). Out of nowhere, the three pirates catch up to Kidd after being abandoned on a reef and they want their share of the treasure.
I would like more swashbuckling. It's almost an hour before we get a good old fashion sword fight. There are some gunplay, but there are no sea battle scenes. This is more a costume drama with some action. The ship isn't even rolling during a storm. The rooms are way too big. Laughton does project a sly evilness for Captain Kidd. He's a good villain. All the fun comes from his full body performance. This got an Oscar nomination for original score.
I would like more swashbuckling. It's almost an hour before we get a good old fashion sword fight. There are some gunplay, but there are no sea battle scenes. This is more a costume drama with some action. The ship isn't even rolling during a storm. The rooms are way too big. Laughton does project a sly evilness for Captain Kidd. He's a good villain. All the fun comes from his full body performance. This got an Oscar nomination for original score.
- SnoopyStyle
- Dec 14, 2023
- Permalink
Anyone who's thinking that they will get the story of Captain William Kidd is in for one disappointing viewing. This is not the story of the real William Kidd who in fact some say, may not even have been a pirate, merely a British privateer. There's some controversy raging to this day about whether he left some buried treasure in and around the New York City area. In fact colonial New York is where the captain's base of operations was, though New York gets the barest mention in the beginning of the film.
This version of Kidd has him as a cockney with a burning ambition to rise in class. Actually Kidd was born in Scotland in either Aberdeen or Dundee depending on what source you use. He's a clever rogue, after sinking a king's ship and then accusing that noble captain of piracy.
Giving that story to King William III of Orange, Kidd gets a ship and he picks a crew of cutthroats and sets sail to do more plunder.
Captain Kidd suffers from two faults mainly. It's badly edited, the film clearly begins at a point where some previous action took place explaining some of what we see. Probably something of New York where Kidd began his career. A whole lot of things are left up in the air because of this. Secondly, Randolph Scott is horribly miscast in a part that Errol Flynn or Tyrone Power or Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. should have played. My guess is that none of these gentlemen could be secured for a loan out from their studios. Even Cornel Wilde or Louis Hayward would have been better.
But what enjoyment you get in the film comes from Charles Laughton's florid performance as Captain Kidd. Basically what he's done is taken his Horace Prin character from White Woman and set him to sea. Laughton's overacting is nicely counterbalanced by Reginald Owen as a valet he's hired and takes to sea to teach him the fine art of being a gentleman. Laughton overacts outrageously, but I'm sure he realized that without it, the film would have been dull as dishwater.
Gilbert Roland, John Carradine, and Sheldon Leonard are all part of Laughton's gang of thieves. Barbara Britton looks properly demure as a heroine caught up among them. And Henry Daniell, the man with the built in sneer in his voice, for once plays a good guy as King William.
Charles Laughton fans will love Captain Kidd. And Laughton was even more outrageous when he reprised Captain Kidd when he met up with Abbott and Costello. But that's a whole other movie.
This version of Kidd has him as a cockney with a burning ambition to rise in class. Actually Kidd was born in Scotland in either Aberdeen or Dundee depending on what source you use. He's a clever rogue, after sinking a king's ship and then accusing that noble captain of piracy.
Giving that story to King William III of Orange, Kidd gets a ship and he picks a crew of cutthroats and sets sail to do more plunder.
Captain Kidd suffers from two faults mainly. It's badly edited, the film clearly begins at a point where some previous action took place explaining some of what we see. Probably something of New York where Kidd began his career. A whole lot of things are left up in the air because of this. Secondly, Randolph Scott is horribly miscast in a part that Errol Flynn or Tyrone Power or Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. should have played. My guess is that none of these gentlemen could be secured for a loan out from their studios. Even Cornel Wilde or Louis Hayward would have been better.
But what enjoyment you get in the film comes from Charles Laughton's florid performance as Captain Kidd. Basically what he's done is taken his Horace Prin character from White Woman and set him to sea. Laughton's overacting is nicely counterbalanced by Reginald Owen as a valet he's hired and takes to sea to teach him the fine art of being a gentleman. Laughton overacts outrageously, but I'm sure he realized that without it, the film would have been dull as dishwater.
Gilbert Roland, John Carradine, and Sheldon Leonard are all part of Laughton's gang of thieves. Barbara Britton looks properly demure as a heroine caught up among them. And Henry Daniell, the man with the built in sneer in his voice, for once plays a good guy as King William.
Charles Laughton fans will love Captain Kidd. And Laughton was even more outrageous when he reprised Captain Kidd when he met up with Abbott and Costello. But that's a whole other movie.
- bkoganbing
- Sep 28, 2006
- Permalink
This film is a fictional story of a real man in history: Captain William Kidd. The real Captain Kidd lived from c. 22 January 1645 – 23 May 1701 (death by hanging for piracy) but that is another story.
Captain Kidd (1945) is a worthy sea adventure - a pretty good drama. Great casting lead by Charles Laughton as William Kidd, supported by John Carradine as Orange Povey, Randolph Scott as Adam Mercy & Barbara Britton as Lady Anne Dunstan.
The film is what you would expect from a film of this nature: gold, swashbuckling fight scenes, sunken ships, back-stabbing, treachery, stormy seas, stealing -- just an all around fun adventure film.
8/10
Captain Kidd (1945) is a worthy sea adventure - a pretty good drama. Great casting lead by Charles Laughton as William Kidd, supported by John Carradine as Orange Povey, Randolph Scott as Adam Mercy & Barbara Britton as Lady Anne Dunstan.
The film is what you would expect from a film of this nature: gold, swashbuckling fight scenes, sunken ships, back-stabbing, treachery, stormy seas, stealing -- just an all around fun adventure film.
8/10
- Rainey-Dawn
- May 8, 2016
- Permalink
Captain Kidd is directed by Rowland V. Lee and adapted to screenplay by Norman Reilly Raine from a story by Robert N. Lee. It stars Charles Laughton, Randolph Scott, Barbara Britton and John Carradine. Music is scored by Werner Janssen and cinematography by Archie Stout.
The late 17th century and ruthless pirate Captain William Kidd (Laughton) is the scourge of the seas and attempts a double cross of King William III (Henry Daniell). His dastardly scheming, however, is in danger of falling apart when he hires ex-convict Adam Mercy (Scott) to be his master gunner. For Mercy has a secret and he also has his own mission to complete.
The most ruthless of them all, Captain William Kidd.
Forget history and try to enjoy Captain Kidd for its light hearted piratical touches. Running at 90 minutes the film is surprisingly short on blood pumping action, with much of the screenplay given to draggy verbose passages. Yet there is an overriding sense of fun throughout, with a cast of highly watchable actors making it very much an acting 101 picture.
Particularly striking is Laughton who seems to be enjoying himself royally as he gets to pout, stomp and dally in villainy. However, there's not enough of the excellent Daniell and the very pretty Barbara Britton is a token offering who is reduced to a near walk on part late in proceedings. Janssen's score is suitably full of high seas bluster, and plot has enough skullduggery, back stabbing and treasure plundering to at the least keep one interested to the finale. 6/10
The late 17th century and ruthless pirate Captain William Kidd (Laughton) is the scourge of the seas and attempts a double cross of King William III (Henry Daniell). His dastardly scheming, however, is in danger of falling apart when he hires ex-convict Adam Mercy (Scott) to be his master gunner. For Mercy has a secret and he also has his own mission to complete.
The most ruthless of them all, Captain William Kidd.
Forget history and try to enjoy Captain Kidd for its light hearted piratical touches. Running at 90 minutes the film is surprisingly short on blood pumping action, with much of the screenplay given to draggy verbose passages. Yet there is an overriding sense of fun throughout, with a cast of highly watchable actors making it very much an acting 101 picture.
Particularly striking is Laughton who seems to be enjoying himself royally as he gets to pout, stomp and dally in villainy. However, there's not enough of the excellent Daniell and the very pretty Barbara Britton is a token offering who is reduced to a near walk on part late in proceedings. Janssen's score is suitably full of high seas bluster, and plot has enough skullduggery, back stabbing and treasure plundering to at the least keep one interested to the finale. 6/10
- hitchcockthelegend
- Apr 6, 2012
- Permalink
Like THE SON OF MONTE CRISTO (1940), this public-domain title turned up on local TV some years ago; the film starts off well enough and is enjoyable in itself, but peters out towards the end. Charles Laughton (who reprised the role in ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET CAPTAIN KIDD [1952]) is certainly fun as the title villain, and it was especially gratifying to watch him interact with John Carradine; the great cast features innumerable other familiar faces, though Randolph Scott seems positively ill-at-ease in pirate garb (especially after having just watched him in one of his defining western roles by way of Budd Boetticher's SEVEN MEN FROM NOW [1956])! The low-budget is evident in the film's studio-bound look (despite being mostly ship-set!), its use of stock footage (particularly in establishing shots) and the conspicuous stunt doubles during the duel scene between Scott and Gilbert Roland.
- Bunuel1976
- May 12, 2006
- Permalink
Ahoy, mateys! 1945's Captain Kidd is a small gem of a swashbuckler with Charles Laughton, all menacing pudginess, spastic hair, and bad table manners, as the roguish pirate masquerading as a legitimate British sea captain. He and his dwindling posse of baddies (Guess who's causing them to dwindle!) are aiming to hijack a British freighter out of In-Jah, scoop up some loot already buried, have their way with a proper English lady, and whack Randolph Scott, the only man who can reveal their perfidy.
It's all so much yo-ho-ho and the actors seem to be having one heck of a good time. The only problem with the film is that, for 1945, the production values are so poor and the film is so murky that the whole thing looks like it's ten years older.
Find a copy of it in the dollar DVD dumpster at Wal-Mart and have a great time with Laughton chewing (with his mouth open) the scenery and Randolph Scott looking handsome in a series of sailor suits.
It's all so much yo-ho-ho and the actors seem to be having one heck of a good time. The only problem with the film is that, for 1945, the production values are so poor and the film is so murky that the whole thing looks like it's ten years older.
Find a copy of it in the dollar DVD dumpster at Wal-Mart and have a great time with Laughton chewing (with his mouth open) the scenery and Randolph Scott looking handsome in a series of sailor suits.
- inspectors71
- Dec 5, 2005
- Permalink
CAPTAIN KIDD begins better than it ends but in between it is great fun to watch, with a super cast to boot: John Carradine, Henry Daniels, Randolph Scott, Gilbert Roland, Qualen, and other character actors - but the pick of the bunch is the cabotin, hammish figure of Charles Laughton as Captain Kidd.
Laughton must have laughed at the prospect of playing a pirate, the very opposite of Captain Bligh in Mutiny on the Bounty.
The downside is that Scott looks out of his depth in a swashbuckler, the script bears some holes that are tough to swallow, and cinematography is none too remarkable. Stunts could be better, Laughton rolling around on the ground fighting Scott takes a great deal of suspension of disbelief... but then Scott and Laughton were known for their gayty.
On the positive side of things, these 86 minutes fly by quite fast!
Definitely worth watching, if you are fond of swashbucklers!
Laughton must have laughed at the prospect of playing a pirate, the very opposite of Captain Bligh in Mutiny on the Bounty.
The downside is that Scott looks out of his depth in a swashbuckler, the script bears some holes that are tough to swallow, and cinematography is none too remarkable. Stunts could be better, Laughton rolling around on the ground fighting Scott takes a great deal of suspension of disbelief... but then Scott and Laughton were known for their gayty.
On the positive side of things, these 86 minutes fly by quite fast!
Definitely worth watching, if you are fond of swashbucklers!
- adrianovasconcelos
- Dec 3, 2020
- Permalink
- JohnHowardReid
- Apr 26, 2018
- Permalink
After looting the ship "The Twelve Apostles" in the waters near Madagascar, "Captain William Kidd" (Charles Laughton) destroys it with everyone on board. Dead men tell no tales. He and a handful of remaining pirates then bury the treasure chest in a cave and head back to England. Once there he convinces King William III (Henry Daniell) to allow him to escort the ship "Quidagh Merchant" through the same waters near Madagascar. Obviously, Captain Kidd has no concern for this ship and he is only interested in himself. As a matter of fact, the reason he is so interested in this particular ship is because it is laden with treasure and as an extra bonus it also carries a noblewoman by the name of "Lady Anne Dunstan" (Barbara Britton). But before he can set sail he is allowed to recruit some prisoners for his crew and among these is a particularly astute one named "Adam Mercy" (Randolph Scott). Anyway, rather than disclose any more of the story I will just say that this was a decent pirate movie all things considered. Although I thought Charles Laughton was rather miscast for the role of Captain Kidd I thought he performed it well enough all the same. I also liked the performances of John Carradine (as "Orange Povey"), Gilbert Roland ("Jose Lorenzo"), Reginald Owen ("Cary Shadwell") and the aforementioned Randolph Scott. In any case, if a person is looking for a solid pirate movie then this one might be worth consideration.
Fun pirate flick, especially if you appreciate Charles Laughton - he's the only reason to watch it!
Here's my breakdown:
STORY: The story is not particularly special or unique, but there's enough story to enable Laughton to do his magic.
ACTING: Everyone does a good job, but as is usually the case, Laughton IS the film.
You have to appreciate his profound acting skill to enjoy this, as I do ... immensely.
His range wasn't huge, but his character immersion was 2nd to none.
TEMPO: Nicely paced
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Horrible with cheap, dark sets ... lots of smoke to obscure these facts and some horribly fake snow : 0
DIRECTING / WRITING: Director: The last of Lee's films and the only one I saw. Brilliant? No. But OK.
Writers: I'm only familiar with two (2) of Raine's work: this and 'M' (1951) ... but, don't watch his version.
Watch the 1931 version with Peter Lorre; it's superb.
Is it a good film? As a film, not really. You watch it to see why I constantly harp on British acting skill.
Should you watch this once? See above answer.
Rating: 7.5 (for Laughton, of course, and all that glitters ... boo ha, ha, ha ... 16 beers on a dead man's chest ...)
Here's my breakdown:
STORY: The story is not particularly special or unique, but there's enough story to enable Laughton to do his magic.
ACTING: Everyone does a good job, but as is usually the case, Laughton IS the film.
You have to appreciate his profound acting skill to enjoy this, as I do ... immensely.
His range wasn't huge, but his character immersion was 2nd to none.
TEMPO: Nicely paced
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Horrible with cheap, dark sets ... lots of smoke to obscure these facts and some horribly fake snow : 0
DIRECTING / WRITING: Director: The last of Lee's films and the only one I saw. Brilliant? No. But OK.
Writers: I'm only familiar with two (2) of Raine's work: this and 'M' (1951) ... but, don't watch his version.
Watch the 1931 version with Peter Lorre; it's superb.
Is it a good film? As a film, not really. You watch it to see why I constantly harp on British acting skill.
Should you watch this once? See above answer.
Rating: 7.5 (for Laughton, of course, and all that glitters ... boo ha, ha, ha ... 16 beers on a dead man's chest ...)
- mark.waltz
- Jun 14, 2013
- Permalink
Robert N. Lee wrote the story of " Captain Kidd " and when it got to the Silver Screen became a must see movie. The film which followed is very interesting and the leading man of the tale is none other that Charles Laughton who plays Capt. William Kidd with relish and is quite convincing in the role. As to whether the movie is based on fact is poor at best. Modern Historians contend that Kidd was unjustly hanged and displayed as an example to others in England 1701. The movie on the other hang is active, enjoyable and well done. The pirate's exploits garners the audiences' attention and the adding of some of Hollywood's' actors makes for a spirited adventure. One however questions the addition of Randolph Scott as Adam Mercy as he most apt to play Westerns. Others like John Carradine, Gilbert Roland, Sheldon Leonard and Reginald Owen are well placed. Eye candy is provided by Barbara Britton as Lady Anne Dunstan and in addition, the movie is filmed in Black and White. However, it's a good feature movie and does prove to become a Classic in many ways. In retrospect, the movie like the Legend of Captain Kidd is often misunderstood. Recommend to Charles Laughton fans. ****
- thinker1691
- Dec 7, 2013
- Permalink
In the late 1600s, dastardly pirate Charles Laughton (as Captain William Kidd) convinces King William III (Henry Daniell) he's above board - but, of course, Mr. Laughton is pulling the King's leg. One of the Captain's seafaring crew of cutthroats, heroic Randolph Scott (as Adam Mercy), poses a threat. Laughton killed Mr. Scott's father, and soon adds the father of beautiful-on-board Barbara Britton (as Lady Anne Dunstan) to his list of victims. Scott falls for the fetching Ms. Britton.
Entertaining as always, Laughton makes the most of his role. Scott seems like a fish out of water; and, to varying degrees, so do many in the cast. The interesting crew features "first mate" performances from Reginald Owen (as Shadwell) and John Carradine (as Povey). Smaller roles essayed by Gilbert Roland (as Lorenzo) and William Farnum (as Captain Rawson) are equally satisfying. Alas, the production is rushed and unsatisfying, despite an "Oscar"-nominated score, by Werner Janssen.
***** Captain Kidd (11/22/45) Rowland V. Lee ~ Charles Laughton, Randolph Scott, Barbara Britton
Entertaining as always, Laughton makes the most of his role. Scott seems like a fish out of water; and, to varying degrees, so do many in the cast. The interesting crew features "first mate" performances from Reginald Owen (as Shadwell) and John Carradine (as Povey). Smaller roles essayed by Gilbert Roland (as Lorenzo) and William Farnum (as Captain Rawson) are equally satisfying. Alas, the production is rushed and unsatisfying, despite an "Oscar"-nominated score, by Werner Janssen.
***** Captain Kidd (11/22/45) Rowland V. Lee ~ Charles Laughton, Randolph Scott, Barbara Britton
- wes-connors
- May 6, 2009
- Permalink
In the tradition of Captain Blood and Horatio Hornblower, this movie has an excellent story, interesting characters, and very good actors. Very satisfying to be sure.
"Captain Kidd" is an excellent film about human greed and treachery. It has a somewhat cynical tone, dark humor and plenty of duplicity and murder. Great casting lead by Charles Laughton as William Kidd, supported by John Carradine as Orange Povey, Randolph Scott as Adam Mercy & Barbara Britton as Lady Anne Dunstan.
Academy Awards Oscar Nominee Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture : Werner Janssen
"Captain Kidd" is what you would expect from a film of this nature gold, swashbuckling fight scenes, sunken ships, back-stabbing, treachery, stormy seas, stealing , NOBODY does villiany as deliciously well as Charles Loughton! Fun adventure film. 8/10
Academy Awards Oscar Nominee Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture : Werner Janssen
"Captain Kidd" is what you would expect from a film of this nature gold, swashbuckling fight scenes, sunken ships, back-stabbing, treachery, stormy seas, stealing , NOBODY does villiany as deliciously well as Charles Loughton! Fun adventure film. 8/10
- robfollower
- Feb 27, 2020
- Permalink