USA 119m Dir: Michael Curtiz Key Cast: Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland
Captain Blood was something of a risk for the studio as it made a big budget film with two relatively unknown stars. Australian actor Errol Flynn has found some success in lead roles in films made in Australia and Britain but it was only when Robert Donat turned down the role of Blood due to worries about his asthma that Flynn got his big break, becoming the natural successor to Douglas Fairbanks Sr as Hollywood's go-to leading man. Olivia de Havilland was beginning a career in Hollywood when she was cast but this was the film which propelled her to stardom.
The film is a swash-buckling adventure set in the 17th Century. Peter Blood is a doctor and is called to help with the injuries of a man who took part in the Monmouth Rebellion. He is caught treating the patient and convicted of treason and is sold to the West Indie as a slave. Once there he is bought by the Arabella Bishop, the niece of a local military commander, who improves his situation by having treat the local governor's gout. Eventually Blood and the rebels escape and he leads them into a life of piracy. Somewhat inevitably Arabella is later capture by another ship Blood has partnered with and the roles are reversed.
The film is based on the novel of the same title by Rafael Sabatini but though it is fictional there is some historical truth in it. King James II is treated as if he were an evil tyrant which feels wrong and there are definitely plenty of details that don't work historically but it at least feels plausible as a story of it's era. Blood is a great lead character who initially is apolitical and only takes a side when he is treated badly by King James. He's dashing and mischievous but with a strong moral compass- he sets up very clear rules when he begins his life of piracy including not abusing women.
Let's be honest, the film is more about the production than anything else. There's lovely West Indies islands and magnificent ships and a swashbuckling hero who makes daring escapes and fights for the women he loves. The production value is great and it's largely this that makes the film works, combined with Flynn's strong performance as Blood.
Variety Magazine at the time said the finale is "tent-twent-thirt" which is a wonderful phrase that originates from pre-movie stage performances with admissions of ten, twenty or thirty cents, i.e. affordable to the general public. Essentially, they're saying that the finale is melodramatic, with an implication that this is a film which exists for mass enjoyment rather and some sophisticated piece of art. It does feel like a fitting description as there is indeed very little that is sophisticated about this adventure story with a romantic subplot.
What it lacks up for in story it makes up for in spectacle and it feels right that both Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland became huge stars of the back of this film.
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