Captain Blood

Yo ho ho...it's the Pirate's life for me!

Yes, i loved Johhny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow. But when I think of pirate movies, the first one that comes to mind is the one I have loved since my childhood: Captain Blood.

Made in 1935 and directed by Michael Curtiz, it stars Basil Rathbone, Olivia de Haviland, and Errol Flynn in the film that not only made him an action star but gave him the vehicle to set the bar pretty high for swashbuckers. The Adventures of Robin Hood, perhaps his most notable role, didn't come along for another three years.

Flynn plays Peter Blood, an Irishman and a doctor. Being non-political, he treats an enemy of the crown and is arrested for his compassionate act. Shipped off to the West Idies, he is sold into slavery where he is bought by de Haviland. Becoming a pirate, he teams up with Basil Rathbone for a short time, but goes off on his own to win battles, his freedom, and the heart of his true love.

Look for great swordplay (Rathbone was an expert and actually taught many stars to fence), rousing battles at sea, broadside, boardings, and romance. This is a great action-adventure even after all these decades.

Skip the colorized version and stick to the original in glorious back and white.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0026174/

Beau Geste

Another terrific film from 1939 (What was it about that year?).

Gary Cooper, Ray Milland, Robert Preston, and Brian Donlevy star in this story about honor, duty, and redemption.

Great opening draws you into this French Foreign Legion adventure where three brothers combat the enemy and their sadistic officer. Sentimental ending ( I won't spoil it) is memorable.

There were two other versions I am aware of: a silent film version starring Ronald Colman and a '60s remake with Telly Savales. But this is the first one I saw and it has stuck with me.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031088/

Gunga Din

This is the quintessentail action-adventure buddy film. Made in 1939 (what was it about that year and great movies?) Gunga Din was directed by George Stevens and stars Cary Grant, Victor McLaglen, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and Sam Jaffe.

Loosely based upon the Rudyard Kipling poem, Gunga Din follows the exploits of three sergeants in the British army who are stationed in India in the 19th century. Involved in a war against a murderous cult of assassins, our heroes still find opportunities to seek treasure, fall in love, and get themselves into trouble. All in rollicking good fun.

In the midst of their trvails, one of the trio (Fairbanks) decides to leave the service, marry, and go into the textile business. Grant and McLaglen's attempts to convince him otherwise are funny and add a subtext to the film that help make it memorable.

Sam Jaffe, as a native lowly waterboy, longs to become a soldier and is at first ridiculed for his goal but he eventually becomes a hero worthy of the respect of his regiment.

Look for a great scene with a tipsy Cary Grant trying to convince McLaglen to let him go seek a golden temple, tough McLaglen softened by an ailing elephant, and Grant attempting to arrest hundreds of assassins on his own.

Younger viewers who can't tolerate films in black and white should put their prejudices aside for this one. It's worth it.

Funny, action packed, clever, and sentimental, Gunga Din is not to be missed.

Note: Remade in the '60s as a Rat Pack movie called Sergeants 3.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031398/