Film Festival 09 - The Black Pirate
The Black Pirate
USA 1926, 94m
Director: Albert Parker
The movies' original, quintessential daredevil megastar and gallant
rogue, Douglas Fairbanks was the architect and hero of this classic
hit of the 20s, an action comedy containing some of his most
astonishing gymnastic stunts. Accompanying a beautifully restored
print visiting piano maestro Neil Brand matches his every move. -
BG. "Alongside Keaton and Gene Kelly, Fairbanks was perhaps the
most gracefully athletic mover in the history of the movies& A
pacy tale of romance and revenge on the high seas, it sees Doug
swashing his buckle with unsurpassed ease: the daring stunts are
breathtakingly stylish (none more so than the celebrated descent
down a sail on the point of a dagger), while scenes like the shoal
of soldiers swimming underwater to invade the pirate ship are shot
through with a poetic beauty. An added bonus is that the film was
shot in two-strip Technicolor, a lovely pastel process that defies
description." - Geoff Andrew, Time Out Film Guide
