Under the black flag
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| German title | Under the black flag |
| Original title | Captain Kidd |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 1945 |
| length | 90 minutes |
| Rod | |
| Director | Rowland V. Lee |
| script |
Norman Reilly Raine Robert N. Lee (Story) |
| production | Benedict Bogeaus |
| music | Werner Janssen |
| camera | Archie Stout |
| occupation | |
| |
Under the black flag is an American pirate film from 1945.
action
Madagascar 1699. Pirates control the transports of the English to India and cost the English crown millions. The most brutal pirate among them is Captain William Kidd. Kidd is not only the most brutal, but also the most intelligent of the pirates. He also knows how to move around the royal court. King William III therefore falls for him and entrusts him to the escort of a valuable cargo coming from India. He can even convince him that a crew of pirates is the safest crew for this expedition. He looks for part of his crew in the king's dungeon. And so the prisoner Adam Mercy comes aboard Captain Kidd's ship. It becomes dangerous for Kidd when the enemy from olden times, believed to be dead, wants to hire Orange Povey. He's the only one who knows Kidd and knows that Kidd is planning something. Kidd has no choice but to add Povey to the crew. Kidd senses further danger in Adam Mercy. His rebellion towards the king leads Kidd to suspect him of being a spy for the king. In this constellation the journey via Madagascar to India begins.
On the voyage, the only seafarers loyal to the king perish in accidents that Kidd himself provoked. Mercy becomes increasingly suspicious of Captain Kidd and does his own research to find out which ship he is actually on. When Kidd catches Mercy searching his cabin, he exploits Kidd's suspicions and pretends to be the king's spy. So he can escape the murder, but is on Kidd's death list.
On the high seas, Kidd is able to convince Captain Russell, the captain of the English ship with the valuable treasure, that the treasure can be brought safely over Madagascar when it is on his ship. At the same time, the ship takes Lady Anne Dunstan on board with her father. Lorenzo has the English ship blown up. Anne's father is murdered after the demolition and Anne is alone in the hands of the pirates. Adam Mercy starts to take care of her. Both have a similar story. Adam's father was also murdered by Captain Kidd a long time ago and now the time for vengeance has come. But first he has to protect Anne from Lorenzo, who approaches her. In a sword fight, he throws Lorenzo off the ship. After the fight, Kidd finds a medallion from Mercy and now knows who Mercy actually is.
Kidd, Mercy and Povey want to recover an old treasure from an island. Kidd wants to shoot Mercy, there is a fight. Mercy is thrown over the cliff into the sea by Povey and Kidd. Back on board, Kidd sells Mercy's death to Anne as an accident. But Mercy is not dead, he swims back to the ship. He and Anne tried to flee with a dinghy. However, they are discovered and shot at and escape by swimming on the island.
Months later, Captain Kidd returns to the court of King Williams with the unfortunate explanations of the unsuccessful expedition. But Mercy and Anne have made their way back to England and can convict Kidd. Captain Kidd is sentenced to death. Anne and Adam Mercy marry with the king's blessing.
background
The figure of Captain Kidd is remotely modeled after the actual pirate William Kidd . The story, however, has nothing to do with the life of William Kidd.
Under the Black Flag was the first film in which Charles Laughton played the role of Captain Kidd. In 1952 he played this role again in the comedic pirate film Abbott and Costello as a reluctant pirate with comedian couple Bud Abbott and Lou Costello .
Reviews
"With a love story emblazoned, staged just an average adventure film, tailored to the lustfully playing Charles Laughton."
Awards
Werner Janssen's film music received an Oscar nomination in 1946 .
Web links
- Under the Black Flag in the Internet Movie Database (English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Under the black flag. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed May 1, 2017 .