Review of Captain Blood (1935) by Antonius B — 11 Sep 2018

This feels like a summer blockbuster, 1935-style. A doctor (Errol Flynn) is convicted after he treats an injured rebel in 17th century England, and sentenced with others to be a slave in the West Indies. The practice with dissidents and undesirables (such as the Irish) is based on historical fact, as is the cruelty of Judge Jeffreys, who is portrayed. Flynn catches the eye of the niece of the colonel there (Olivia de Havilland, at the tender age of 19), who tries to help him by purchasing him, and then getting him assigned as the governor's physician. He doesn't show his gratitude since he still doesn't have his freedom, but as you can guess, the two swirl around one another for the entire movie. When Flynn escapes and becomes a pirate, he'll eventually help de Havilland out of a jam she's in with a French pirate (Basil Rathbone), who wants to take advantage of her, and thus, the roles become reversed, and she becomes his property.

The movie has some great action scenes - escapes, naval battles, and a brilliant swordfight on the rocky shore between Flynn and Rathbone. There is such a lightness to the film, mainly because of the energy and bravado Flynn brings to the role, and his dialogue, which is direct to the point of being irreverent. There is an honor in the articles of agreement he draws up with the pirate band, which declare brotherhood, the sharing of plunder, and the protection of captive women from molestation (wow!). It seems a little humorous when he assigns various cash rewards to those who lose limbs in battle, the highest being for those who lose a right arm, but you can think of them as veteran's benefits. We don't ever see him killing an innocent man, so this idealized pirate is clearly the focal point of virtue in an empire with a cruel king, judge, and governor.

At 26, Flynn was unproven in Hollywood, but he's perfect for the part, and makes the movie. de Havilland is not quite as strong in this early film for her (one of four from 1935, the first year of her career), but you can certainly see her promise, and the chemistry with Flynn. Watch this one if you love this pairing, or are in the mood for a classic action film, one that almost feels modern. Seeing it as part of a double feature with 'The Adventures of Robin Hood' (1938) may also be fun.