Captain Blood (1935)

"...the film that made stars of Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland.  The Motion Picture Guide
"...perhaps the best pirate story ever.  VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever

Editor's Note In the classic swashbuckling epic that catapulted him to worldwide stardom, Errol Flynn plays Dr. Peter Blood, an English physician unjustly convicted of treason and sentenced to slavery in the West Indies. Relying on his formidable nerve and wit, he escapes and soon becomes a feared pirate known as Captain Blood, a brilliant swordsman and seaman whose fiercely loyal crew is made up of runaway slaves grateful to him for winning their freedom. Olivia de Havilland, in the first of eight films starring opposite Flynn, is alluring as Arabella Bishop, the dashing pirate captain's romantic interest. Lionel Atwill, famed for his demented performances in horror films, is satisfyingly despicable as Arabella's uncle, a despotic plantation owner. Director Michael Curtiz (CASABLANCA) pulls no dramatic punches, filling the screen with thrilling battle scenes, stampeding horses, hurtling, wave-tossed ships, and a rousing Erich Wolfgang Korngold score to make CAPTAIN BLOOD a truly lavish seafaring odyssey. Flynn, only five years removed from piloting a daring four-man, seven-month boat trip from Sydney, Australia, to New Guinea (described in his memoir BEAM ENDS), signals with his every joyfully kinetic onscreen moment the full-fledged arrival of a huge, inimitable talent.

	Basil Rathbone
	Donald Meek
	Errol Flynn
	Guy Kibbee
	Lionel Atwill
	Olivia de Havilland
	Casey Robinson - Screenplay
	Erich Wolfgang Korngold - Musical Score
	Ernest Haller - Cinematographer
	Hal Mohr - Cinematographer
	Michael Curtiz - Director
	Rafael Sabatini - Based On Novel By

Total Film
"...Flynn's devil-may-care athleticism and Curtiz's lively direction ensured that CAPTAIN BLOOD became the blueprint for swashbuckling adventures..." 10/01/2000 p.114

Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide 8 of 10
...Vivid combination of exciting sea battles, fencing duels, and tempestuous romance provides Flynn