Burt Lancaster is front & center in this 1952 pirate yarn from director Robert Siodmak (The Killers/Criss Cross both which starred Lancaster). Lancaster is a pirate w/a loyal crew who get a big win on his side when they take down a royal ship w/ease. The ship was on its away to help take down a rising rebel on some islands but since Lancaster upset the dinner table, he offers to take the ship's arms as a ruse to sell them to the rebels & then turn around & provide their capture whereby he & his men would get a tidy sum indeed but the moment he & his loyal right hand man, played by Nick Cravat, a lively mute, try to connect w/the rebels, things don't go as planned leading to a string of comedic yet cartoonish adventures (replete w/Loony Toon sound effects) which ultimately leads to a last ditch assault w/a submarine, nitro glycerin & a hot air balloon so Lancaster can defeat the enemy, save the daughter of the main rebel & take back his ship. Featuring a lot of acrobatic action (Lancaster once studied as an acrobat so his skills here are well used which he would tap into for another movie called Trapeze) & scenes of derring do but the kiddie slant to the proceedings kept me from fully embracing the material but the younger set who likes old movies (& there are plenty...not!) will get something out of it. Look for Christopher Lee in a small role as one of the island flunkies.
Review of The Crimson Pirate
