Rowland V.LeeCaptain Kidd (1945)

The notorious pirate played by Charles Laughton tricks King William III into letting him escort treasure-laden merchant ships to India. Co-starring Randolph Scott and an especially menacing John Carradine.

This item is part of the collection: Feature Films

Director: Rowland V.Lee
Producer: Benedict Bogeaus
Production Company: United Artists
Audio/Visual: sound, black and white
Keywords: pirates; Charles Laughton; John Carradine

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Reviewer: Rybak - - April 20, 2008
Subject: Great Charles Laughton

Charles Laughton was really one of the best actors ever. Here he shows it again. He is the centre of the film and it is only worth watching because of him. The love story between Randolph Scott and Barbara Britton is only disturbing.

John Carradine has also a fine smaller part in this film. Henry Daniell gives a fine caricature of a stupid King William.

All-in-all it is a fine film for rainy sunday afternoons.

Reviewer: Essayist - - March 24, 2008
Subject: What more could you want from a film

This is an absolutely enjoyable film and Charles Laughton was in my mind a master of his craft and one of the greatest screen actors ever. The sets are good, acting perfect, storyline and plot well thought out, comical wit and memorising twists of the tongue, what more could you want from a film.

Reviewer: c harney - - October 24, 2007
Subject: Its So Bad That Its Good

forget that its a old black and white mivie and think of it as a pirate spoof movie then its qire enjoyable,its VERY predictable but thats what makes it good.

Reviewer: Cat Lady - - October 24, 2007
Subject: Four har-hars from me!

I've never been a big Laughton fan, but he's wonderful in this -- playing it to the hilt, but never overplaying it and always keeping it human, not ever reaching the caricature stage seen in Disney's "Treasure Island" (not a Captain Kidd pirate movie, of course). The script is excellent, weaving a work of fiction out of the bare bones of the real Kidd's story. Kidd becomes an overworked manager, at times, overseeing everybody else's treacheries and little plots and all the time pursuing his own "big picture." The business at the end with Povey, with Kidd writing in his book and Povey saying, "I know what you're thinking," just knocked me out - terrific! I liked the set and the special effects, especially the opening scenes -- I've not seen such realistic cannon battles at sea before. The acting was pretty good all around, though Crawford's New York accent broke through a little bit at times. The only other film I'd seen Roland in was "Around The World In 80 Days," where he just walks around in silent majesty and menace (a fitting tribute to him!), so watching him in action here was very enjoyable: a very physical actor. But Laughton's acting just takes over; I don't know how he does it, either: he seems to translate the character's thoughts and inner being into a visible presence, which culminates when he says "nightmare" at the end. And that's especially hard to do with such an unpleasant character ("Thank you, Master Scum," says the valet after Kidd shoots him -- the man definitely wasn't looking forward to the trip back to London). All in all, a good movie.

Reviewer: Meatpopsicle - - October 22, 2007
Subject: No Bounty..

although it achieved an Academy Award nomination for Best original sacore for a Comedy/dramanot musch more canbe said for it. Thesets are so cheap it looks like a Saturday Night Live satire of itself. This was Gilbert Rolands first flick since before the war, [by my resource of info.] and the prev. flick being the 'Sea Hawk' with Errol Flynn. I give this scurvy piece of jetsam two 'aarrrs'.

Reviewer: jimelena - - May 22, 2006
Subject: Great cast

Charles Laughton, Randolph Scott, John Caradine, wonderful cast.
Laughton proves that he may be the best screen actor ever.
However, a decidedly tepid script.
But the acting pays off royally.
Watch it, watch it, watch it,....wonderful.

Reviewer: CineMax - - May 17, 2006
Subject: Staying Power

No matter how many times I view this piece, I just love it. This has major staying power-It will always stay a powerful flick. Charles Laughton makes this and all of his movies great.

Reviewer: dog from Nightwatch - - May 16, 2006
Subject: A classic.

A nice print of a darned good movie.

Well worth watching.

Reviewer: terracesider - - May 15, 2006
Subject: Incomplete

Expreienced users of this site will know to check the downloads are complete.

The mepg2 (3.0gb) (EDIT: which was been changed to mpeg1 since this review was written and has since vanished altogether) I downloaded was incomplete. VLC gives a running time of 29 minutes which is 13 minutes more than the 1.0gb mpeg2 download offers. The 256mpeg4 is complete and it's a good quality print.

A great film. Laughton is on fine form

Reviewer: Danial - - May 6, 2006
Subject: Captain Kidd

A fun flick! But who could ever tire of Charles Laughton's style. A most enjoyable evening at the movies this was.

A good print and well worth the watch.