Overrated and overhyped

Amateur movie with Big budget

Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Oh, I like Charlton Heston a lot, in fact. He was a really great actor and with his impeccable sense of artistry and an array of emotions. And his part in this film as that of General Andrew Jackson, yes, a future President, is probably the best of all. The rest is simply mediocre. Yul Brinner as the titular pirate is at best even and absolutely bland. And then, of my, all those naive pavilion shots, directed by the very Anthony Quinn, who failed at all levels, and even all mighty Cecil DeMille was unable to mend this awful mess of romantic drama, pirates fairy tale, slightly kiddish take on morals...Any better moment? yeah, the best one is a probably the most famous - The Battle Of New Orleans - that Highlanders Charge is the high point of the whole film, but these 20 minutes cannot save 2 hours of yawn and plod and drag and terrible naivety. Yes, such films must be watched for the sake of knowledge that there were truly abominable pseudo historic efforts. My rating - 1 out of 10 - awful

of the films of the young republic few in number as they are The Buccaneer (1958)stands out as a finely crafted film. Charleton Heston excels in his portrayal of Old Hickory's defence of New Orleans with a thrown together force of militia, regulars and pirates promised a reprieve.after Christmas 1814 peninsula veterans led by sir edward packenham, the duke of wellington's brother in law bore down on the city of new orleans. andy jackson had a day to draw together a scratch force to defend the city behind bales of hay.Charlton Heston projects Jackson's terrifying presence and awe inspiring power of command. Yet there are a few colorful comic relief. With the might of the English lioness about to pounce, a young blond haired voluteer from New Orleans asks: I guess the ruckus is about to start.the battle was about to rage but not for long. true to form the British marched straight into withering American fire. in less than a few minutes an attempt to reconquer lost north American territories had been foiled.the battle scene in this movies lasts slightly longer than the actual battle itself.there are colorful side stories in this film of the young volunteer at his first dance to celebrate the victory.

I always enjoyed watching this when it came on television during prime-time every year in the 60's. It's a typical Hollywood history epic, dramatized, stylized and full of inaccuracies but so what, it's an entertaining movie and a good looking film. Cecil B. DeMille at the end of his life is the executive producer of this remake of his 1938 film. His son-in-law actor Anthony Quinn who had the supporting role of Beluche in the '38 film is the director in his directorial debut and swan song as he had never directed a film before and never would again. DeMille assembled a crew who had recently worked on his 10 Commandments to help Quinn pull it off including longtime DeMille associate producer/actor Henry Wilcoxon overseeing the project. Also from the 10 Commandments are screenwriter Jesse Lasky, cinematographer Loyalk Griggs, assistant director Francisco Day, 2nd unit director Arthur Rosson, art directors Walter Tyler and Hal Pereira, set directors Sam Comer and Ray Moyer, costume designers Edith Head, John Jensen and Ralph Lester who as a costume design team received The Buccaneer's only Oscar nomination. A great cast here from team DeMille headed up by Yul Brynner as pirate Jean Lafitte and Charleton Heston as future President General Andrew Jackson. Also in the cast are Charles Boyer, E.G. Marshall, Lorne Greene, Claire Bloom and Inger Stevens. At just over two hours it drags in some spots but makes up for it with some excellent battle scenes. I would give it a 7.5 out of 10.

The Buccaneer is a movie about the history of Jean Lafitte, and his involvement in the War of 1812. However, the movie seemed to be a little too entertaining to be considered a recollection of history itself. Lafitte's actions of stealing goods which aren't his and breaking promises causes his hero-like image to be demolished. The Buccaneer was solely entertainment; one of it's main plots being the love life of Jean Lafitte rather than his role in the actual war. The entertainment though, is funny and keeps the viewers attention. Jokes and puns throughout the movie provide a more lightened mood to some serious scenes. Altogether, the movie was good, and the entertainment provided, supplied the viewer with a more interesting plot.