IMDb RATING
6.4/10
2.8K
YOUR RATING
During the War of 1812, Louisiana buccaneer Jean Lafitte assists the Americans in defending New Orleans against the attacking British war fleet.During the War of 1812, Louisiana buccaneer Jean Lafitte assists the Americans in defending New Orleans against the attacking British war fleet.During the War of 1812, Louisiana buccaneer Jean Lafitte assists the Americans in defending New Orleans against the attacking British war fleet.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 1 nomination total
Leslie Bradley
- Capt. McWilliams
- (as Leslie E. Bradley)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaCecil B. DeMille's prologue fails to mention the great irony of the Battle of New Orleans: by the time it was fought, a treaty to end the War of 1812 had already been signed in London. However, word of the signing did not reach New Orleans until weeks later.
- GoofsAndrew Jackson appears as he looked at the time of his Presidency: 62 years old and white-haired, just as on the $20 bill. At the time of the Battle of New Orleans he was not yet 48 years old and his hair was still red.
- Quotes
Jean Lafitte: [Told by the British that a battle is coming and he *better* be on the winning side] Oh, the side I choose will be the winning side!
- Alternate versionsAnthony Quinn, in his only outing as film director, had his cut of the picture received warmly by preview audiences, but his executive producer/father-in-law Cecil B. DeMille substantially re-edited the movie anyway. Quinn's version has not been seen since.
- ConnectionsEdited into Voyagers! (1982)
Featured review
Epic is Historically Inaccurate,Dramatically Uneven
I first saw this film when it came out in the late 50s,and watched it every time it came on tv for decades afterward.It might say something about my tastes,because I thought it was a rousingly good adventure story.I still feel that way-for a pirate and battle film,it's first-rate.Where,then are my criticisms?First;a.)The battle of New Orleans was fought about 3 weeks after a peace treaty had been signed,and was,technically,irrelevant;b.)Unlike what they imply in the film,the British and the American forces were evenly matched-when the citizens of New Orleans and the pirates joined Jackson,the British were out-numbered;c.)The reason Laffite was not appreciated by the American government was not the PIRACY,per se,(they had legal commissions as privateers issued by Simon Bolivar)but because of the smuggling;d.)Laffitte had to leave,not because of the actions of a renegade captain under his command,but because he had returned to smuggling after he had received a presidential pardon;e.)Dominique,who was Laffite's much older brother,was an earthy,warm-hearted man who stayed behind and became a political hack under the Americans.Boyer is giving a reprise of an earlier portrayal on Napoleon;.I get the feeling that,with the big production,the large number of stars and well-known character actors who were doing supporting parts,the elaborate sets and props,and routines,they were trying to duplicate the success and magnitude of "The Ten Commandments"several years earlier.The big scenes-the pirate captains' conference;the pirate market;the taking of the"Corinthian"and the scenes at Barataria are well-done.(One bogus sequence,however-when Laffite challenges the pirate captains to kill Miggs before they can divy up the gold,and they back down-give me a break.Given the opportunity to get the loot-they would have lined up to slit the kid's throat.)The Battle of New Orleans is exteremly well-handled.Numerous viginettes of men preparing a variety of activities leading into the final fight-adds up to an impressive fourth act.And the love scenes do drag.This is not what De Mille was known for.So,enjoy this film on it's own merits,and realize that nothing is ever perfect.
helpful•54
- hans101067
- Dec 20, 2000
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Gusar
- Filming locations
- New Iberia, Louisiana, USA(Establishing shot of governor's house.)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $5,000,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 59 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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![Charlton Heston and Yul Brynner in The Buccaneer (1958)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BNjA5NTdhMmYtNTZjOS00MmQ3LTg5NjYtYjE2YzhjMzE5ODdmL2ltYWdlXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNjQzNDI3NzY@._V1_QL75_UX90_CR0,1,90,133_.jpg)