The Pirate Movie (1982)

"GIVE ME A HAPPY ENDING"

This is one film that can truly be called a cult movie. It can also be called camp! I call it fun! Judging by the comments here at Amazon and at other sites I see that I'm not the only one that holds "The Pirate Movie" in high regard! A critical and box office disaster upon it's summer of 1982 theatrical release the film found it's audience on video and cable TV. I remember at the time of it's brief run in theaters I read many reviews blasting the filmmakers about being disrespectful to the creators of the original material. Leonard Maltin calls it "Appalling" and goes on to say "...not only trashes the original but fails on it's own paltry terms" Ouch, Len! Based upon Gilbert & Sullivan's play "Pirates Of Penzance" (which wasn't Shakespeare) itself a fun, silly musical romp! In my opinion, the filmmakers were true to the original source while making it accessible to a modern audience. "The Pirate Movie" holds up quite well even with all of it's 1980's sensibilities.
About the DVD: Anchor Bay has done it again! A beautiful DVD Widescreen presentation! The movie looks and sounds better than ever and the packaging includes the original movie poster art. The insert includes a 5x7 reproduction of the movie poster. (BTW- all Anchor Bay titles include a 5x7 movie poster reproduction insert.) The original theatrical trailer is also included. The other special feature is an audio commentary by the director of the film Ken Annakin and the Anchor Bay DVD producer is moderating the discussion. The commentary is rather disapointing to me because it's more of a chat about the career of Mr. Annakin than a scene specific commentary about the movie they're viewing. The commentary contains many interesting tid-bits of information and trivia just not all about "The Pirate Movie" There is a slight spoiler in the commentary track (during the end credits) about Clint Eastwood's "Million Dollar Baby" so, be warned. Plus Mr. Annakin has an interesting theory about what really happend to Amelia Earhart. As I said, the commentary discussion is all over the place! The director has fond memories of the film as do the rest of us who have embraced this delightful musical romp! Perhaps inviting Kristy McNichol and Christopher Atkins to the recording session would have made for a more interesting and balanced commentary. It's not that I'm complaining! I'm happy to have the film on DVD, even if there were no commentary at all! The song in the finale says, "Give Me A Happy Ending" and now thanks to Anchor Bay and 20th Century Fox this film has the happy ending it deserves! The rest of us are happy to have this wonderful film beautifully preserved on DVD! Thanks AB! Now if only they'll release "Valley Of The Dolls" (1967) on DVD!

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