CAPTAIN KIDD
Captain Kidd is a not so historically accurate glimpse into the life of the feared pirate Captain Kidd. While William Kidd was indeed a real pirate whom remains a bit controversial until this day. Many say that his accusations for piracy were unjust and that he did not deserve his grim fate. In this movie, starring Charles Laughton as the captain himself, we are treated to all of the things we love about pirate movies. Buried treasure, betrayal, revenge and even marooning a man on a reef to die a long, lonely death.
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Genre: Swashbuckler, Adventure, Historical.
Director: Rowland V. Lee
Writers: Norman Reilly Raine (screenplay), Robert N. Lee (original story)
Music: Werner Janssen
Release Date: November 22, 1945 (United States)
Studio / Distributed By: United Artists
Running Time: 90 Minutes.
Starring: Charles Laughton as Captain Kidd, Randolph Scott as Adam Mercy / Adam Blayne, John Carradine as Orange Pvy, Barbara Britton as Lady Anne Dunstan and many others.
Interesting Stuff: The film is loosely based on the real-life pirate, William Kidd. Born in Scotland in 1645, he began his career as a privateer. By 1690 he became a wealthy shipowner in New York. In 1696, during a trip to East Africa, he turned to piracy. He captured or looted many ships. Trusting that his privateer commission would protect him, he returned to Long Island in 1699. He was ordered to England, where he was arrested, tried and convicted for piracy and murder. He was hanged in 1701. Stories about Kidd's buried treasure were legendary but the only booty ever found was on Gardiners Island, near Long Island, in New York. - according to IMDB.
Captain Kidd (1945) TRAILER
Not sure if an old, black and white, pirate movie is for you? Find out by spending just over one minute to watch the trailer (right) and get a taste of the what this film has to offer you for fun and daring adventure. You will see exactly why Charles Laughtin is the perfect choice to play the infamous buccaneer amidst a rogues gallery of seedy characters like the threatening David Carradine. All aboard the high seas on this salty yarn of yesteryear. You will watch this movie and fall in love with bold deeds performed by nefarious rascals who live like rats in the bilge of tall ships.
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WHAT'S SO GREAT ABOUT THIS MOVIE
Charles Laughton is entrancing with his grand, theatrical performance that makes you believe that he could very well be the infamous pirate captain. The story is interesting and it has the added delight of being based on a real life person who actually did sail the high seas living an adventurous life.
For me, knowing the history of the actual Captain William Kidd adds to the enjoyment of watching this film. I had some idea of the true tale before watching this movie but it inspired me to learn more about the infamous buccaneer. I found that, upon watching the movie again, it was now a different experience. It was now a deeper, richer experience in some ways. To help you have the same fun we have provided some documentary videos below as well as a link for a book that you will enjoy.
More Than Just A Movie
Harem Cinema is your own, private in-home cinema but we are more than that too. We like to expand your film viewing experience into a broader involvement by providing you with value-added extras such as documentaries, books and more. You are particularly lucky in this instance because Captain Kidd is a real life historical figure whom is still clouded is mystery and controversy. His legend is so rich that we can greatly enrich your engagement as you will see below.
Pirate Hunter, the True Story of Captain Kidd. Books about pirates are always a good read in my experience so, if you are a reader, you might want to pick this one up for yourself. Right now 144 customers have purchased and reviewed this book so click on the picture (left) read some of the reviews.
Everybody knows the legend of Captain Kidd, America's most ruthless buccanneer. Few people realize that the facts of his life make for a much better tale. Kidd was actually a tough New York
sea captain hired to chase pirates, a married war hero whose secret mission took a spectacularly bad turn.
This harrowing tale traces Kidd's voyages in the 1690s from his home near Wall Street to Whitehall Palace in London, from the ports of the Caribbean to a secret pirate paradise off
Madagascar. Author Richard Zacks, during his research, also unearthed the story of a long forgotten rogue named Robert Culliford, who dogged Kidd and led Kidd's crew to mutiny not once but twice.
The lives of Kidd and Culliford play out like an unscripted duel: one man would hang in the harbor, the other would walk away with the treasure. Filled with superb writing and impeccable
research, The Pirate Hunter is both a masterpiece of historical detective work and a ripping good yarn, and it delivers something rare: an authentic pirate story for grown-ups. - Amazon.
Biography: Captain Kidd
The opposing views that Kidd was unjustly tried as a pirate versus he was an opportunistic business man who just pushed his luck too far is explored in this interesting documentary. A case can be made for both sides so you will have to decide for yourself what you think Kidd was.
Author Richard Zacks, who wrote the below mentioned biography of Captain Kidd, Pirate Hunter, shares his thoughts along with others.
You will hear about how Kidd was dogged with bad luck, as though a black cloud followed him wherever he went. A good example of this is when he goes forth to capture a pirate ship and, instead of obeying his commands, his men mutiny and join the pirates! Kidd loses ninety of his one hundred and ten man crew.
But, despite his poor luck, Kidd was no fool. Did he really bury his treasure like in the pirate legends? If you are ever on Gardiner's Island, grab yourself a shovel and go looking. Maybe you'll get lucky!
This Captain Kidd DVD has been rated four out of five star by 45 customers just like you and me on Amazon. Which means that, right now, you can get this very good movie, that has flattering reviews and you can get it for under $10.00. So don't delay, click the button below or click on the image of the DVD cover (right) and get your copy right now.
While you are watching Laughton power his way through his truly wonderful performance, take a moment to remember that he is portraying a real person who actually lived. A man condemned as a pirate and executed at the gallows. A bold man who fought until the very last breath, proclaiming what he hoped would grant him a stay of execution "If you kill me, you will never find my treasure!". And then they hung him.
But Kidd's rotten luck dogged him until his very last moments of life. The first rope broke!!! Which would only prolong his torment because a second rope was affixed and he was hung a second time. This attempt was far more fatal than the first.
Mystery Files: The Captain Kidd Conspiracy
Richard Zacks, author of the above mentioned biography of Captain Kidd, Pirate Hunter, talks about the tragic story of Kidd. How Kidd was once a successful and well respected, leading citizen of New York city, yet withing six short years he falls from grace, is tried for piracy and executed. But how did this happen? How did this gruesome fate befall the accomplished businessman? As you will learn from the video, it was a promising business venture that was to be his doom.
Among the questions that are still hotly debated even today is whether or not William Kidd was given a fair trial or not. Was Kidd doing the dark deed of piracy or did he just make mistakes that unfortunately cost him his life? Watch the video and judge for yourself how missing paperwork helped create the legend of the dreaded buccaneer.
The Quest for Captain Kidd.
Modern day researchers dive the waters off the coast of Madagascar, searching through the graveyard of sunken pirate ships in an attempt to find Captain Kidd's The Adventure galley.
There are historians that argue that pirates did not bury treasure as we have all come to love through books and movies. Yet, when you watch this documentary, you will see that those pirates did indeed leave us sunken treasure. The exploration of their ships is valuable booty worth uncovering.
Will they find Kidd's ship? Or will it remain lost to the ages? Join them on their journey of discovery. be with them as they discover the Fiery Dragon, a very successful but sadly forgotten pirate ship.
WHAT'S YOUR OPINION
We at Harem Cinema really do want to know your thoughts and opinions. Harem's pledge is to you is to give you the best viewing experience that we possibly can so please use the comments section below to let us know how we are doing. Tell us what we are doing right and what else we can do to make things better. You can start by telling us what you think of this Captain Kidd dedication page!