Gyp The Blood

I say Daniel Day Lewis: Bill the Butcher even sounds like a proper pirate moniker. I've long thought he'd own in a remake of Captain Blood. Not that Flynn was any slouch. I mean, CB is my favorite pirate film of... well, ever. But just, y'know, to "bring it to a new audience". Also, Ian McShane: Maybe it's just me, but who can't see McShane as a brilliant Blackbeard? And i think another Deadwood alum would make a more than decent pirate - Paula Malcomson: Her portrayal on the show has more fire and brass than many of the her male counterparts. And the Age of Piracy, like the Old West, being, as it were, male-dominated, she represents the kind of spitfire that (IMHO) it would have taken to fit right in.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I cannot express my gratitude for your choice of Number 1. So many best lists I've seen have Cutthroat Island or, more unbelievably, Muppet Treasure Island as their #1. Not that there's anything wrong with those films. I highly enjoy both those films. But Captain Blood, to me, sets itself apart. And above. No movie, before or since (IMHO) has better dealt with the core historical reasons (other than the obvious greed) that many "real guys" became pirates: Oppression, the unfairness of monarchical discipline, a "fair" share versus the most minimal wages. It also most acccurately portrays (again IMHO) that pirate ships were (arguably) the world's first democracies. What country at that time offered an "equal" share for services rendered, injurieds suffered. And it also plays to the romanticised view of piracy that, I feel, most of us (obviously?) share. I say this is as perfect a pirate film if ever there was one.

I second the elation. I bought my copy on Tuesday. I already had the VHS, but I really wanted the DVD for (a) the restored version and ( the commentary by Maureen O'Hara. A fun romp.

I found On Stranger Tides by Tim powers a fun read. Especially if you enjoy the supernatural pirate element of the Pirates of the Caribbean films. Other than that, I echo the recommendations of a couple of other posts of Sabatini, in particular Captain Blood . I'm interested in reading other books by Sabatini, but Captain Blood is the only one I can recommend from personal experience. But based on it alone, I'm inclined to say Sabatini captures the adventure, romance and lure of a pirate yarn. Definitely one of my all-time favorites.

Excellent! Thank you both!

I realize there's a "Tales of the Seven Seas News Forum", but it appears to be vacant (there are no posts). No? I'm interested in finding like-minded (read: pirate-minded) folk in NoCal, tho' I'm not at the reenactment stage yet. Not that I wouldn't be. I'm just on the "I really, really love pirates tip", but nowhere near the I have my own equipment, let's sail" end of things yet. I'm, first, just trying to find like-interested folk, I guess. Um. Help?

Does anyone know where to get a quality, period(-ish) wig? I don't mean a long-haired wig, I have long hair already. But rather, long flowing curls like those also worn in the Victorian era and by English judges. Someone knows what I mean, right?

I've consistenly seen "unconfirmed" rumors that Nick Cassavetes (John Cassavetes' son) will be adapting and directing an film of Richard Zacks' Captain Kidd novel, The Pirate Hunter. Has anyone else seen any conclusive word on this project? I really enjoyed the book, and I think a film, in the right hands, could be one to look out for. I also remember Cassavetes' name in connection with a film about Blackbeard, in particular Maynard's hunting & eventual defeat of Teach. If anyone has any information on either of these projects, I'd love to hear it.

(Not necessarily in this order) 1. Captain Blood (1935) 2. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl 3. The Black Pirate (1926) (Scarlet, the film with Errol Flynn and Maureen O'hara is "Against All Flags")

I with you, Blackbead. Sabatini's "Captain Blood" is both my favorite pirate novel as well as my favorite pirate film. Tho' I'll have to say I did find "On Stranger Tides" also highly enjoyable, but on a different kinda level. As a side note, on the non-fiction end, I'd have to say Frank Sherry's "Raiders and Rebels" is (for me) the most excellent linear history of piracy I've come across.

In the non-pirate swashbuckling vein I would also highly recommend "The Duellists", about an ongoing duel between two Napoleonic soldiers over the course of something like 20 years. Early Ridley Scott film. Tho' I would have to echo the previous posts in this topic that cite the 70's era Musketeers films. These films, quite simply, own when it comes to fight scenes.

I realize there's a topic in this forum that lists all of the pirate movies ever made. But can anyone set my compass toward the really good ones? (Understanding, of course, that, like me, most of ye would rather see a bad pirate movie than no pirate movie. ) Here's the tidy few favorites that I have in my own personal collection (not that all of these are necessarily "good", but I like 'em). But what others do y'all feel are some of the best of the rest? The Black Pirate The Black Swan Buccaneer, The (1958) Captain Blood The Crimson Pirate Cutthroat Island [W] Finding Neverland Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (OK, not a pirate moive per se, but damn fine nautical fare) Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (listed here solely for the Crimson Permanent Assurance segment in the film, of course) Muppet Treasure Island Peter Pan (1953, Disney) Peter Pan (2003) Roman Polanski’s Pirates Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl The Princess and the Pirate The Princess Bride

Hullo all. I've oft' visited this forum, but only just signed aboard. When a-visitin', I'd seen some of my own personal favorite piratey/seafarin' tunes listed here, but some others I hadn't. I thought I'd offer 'em up in case I could turn anyone on to something maybe they hain't heard. "Gyp the Blood" by Marc Almond (Hence my screen name) "A Salty Dog" by Marc Almond (The Procul Harum song, not to be confused with "Salty Dog" by Floggy Molly, tho' I like that'n too) "Tobacco Island" by Floggy Molly "A Cautionary Song" and "The Mariner's Revenge Song" by The Decemberists Pirate Jenny by ... pretty much anyone, though I especially like Marianne Faithfull's version "Pirate Ships" by Robert Smith (I haven't hard the original Wendy Waldman version, but I like this one) "Weird Beard" by Mad Caddies "Press Gang" by Murder City Devils "Jolly Roger" by Adam & The Ants (But only if you can stand pure 80's cheesy poppy-ness. That's not a judgement, just a description. Myself, I actually happen to like 80's cheesy poppy-ness.) "A Pirate's Life" from Disney's Peter Pan (I know I've seen "A Professional Pirate" from Muppet Treasure Island in the forums, but never this one. Travesty.) "Yo, Ho! (A Pirate's Life For Me)" from Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribben ride (OK, this one I know has been posted before, but I just had to list it again, since it's probably the first piratey song I can remember hearing. And you just never forget your first.) Well, those are some of my favorites that I didn't think I'd seen posted on here before. O'course I coulda just missed seeing them. Hopefully my list isn't just a bunch of rehashing and there's something new y'all may not know but might like. Cheers.