The Buccaneer
The Buccaneer
NR | 11 December 1958 (USA)
The Buccaneer Trailers

During the War of 1812 against Britain: General Andrew Jackson has only 1,200 men left to defend New Orleans when he learns that a British fleet will arrive with 60 ships and 16,000 men to take the city. In this situation an island near the city becomes strategically important to both parties, but it's inhabited by the last big buccaneer: Jean Lafitte. Although Lafitte never attacks American ships, the governor hates him for selling merchandise without taxes - and is loved by the citizens for the same reason. When the big fight gets nearer, Lafitte is drawn between the fronts. His heart belongs to America, but his people urge him to join the party that's more likely to win.

Reviews
ClassyWas

Excellent, smart action film.

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KnotStronger

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

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Zandra

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

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Jenni Devyn

Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

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pleroma02

This movie has great stars in their earlier years: Ingor Stevens never looked prettier; Yul Brynner was a very convincing Jean LaFitte, conflicted about his piracy and desiring to keep neutrality with the United States. Charlton Heston did a pretty good job as Andrew Jackson, but some moments were a bit stilted. It's really a good flick for students to learn that part of our history, AND it shows that all happy endings do NOT include the lovers getting together with each other--sometimes the happier ending is that they sail away and find partners of similar background who will understand them better in the long run. I have viewed it every year at least twice for 16 years now; and though it is not the best movie I've ever seen, I love it every time!

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GENTRY2

Yul Brynner is Louisiana's greatest folk Hero/Pirate/Privateer/Patriot/Gentleman and the most condemned and pardoned man in American History. Charlton Heston is Old Hickory himself Andrew Jackson the wild and crazy Tennessee General who would go on to be President of The United States. The storyline is simple ! The British fresh from the battles with Napoleon are coming and have already got a hold of Washington D.C.. It is up to General Andrew Jackson and his fresh raw inexperienced troops to stop them from coming into New Orleans. Lafitte the pirate is running an illegal buying and selling operation in the Bayou but no one really seems to care except Louisiana Governor Claibourne who would rather see Lafitte hanged. I won't spoil all of the Buccaneer for you so go and get a copy on video. And if Paramount Pictures reads this posting please do me a favor and get this movie digitally remastered and remixed onto DVD where it belongs. Use all the amenities of DVD with picture and sound and make this movie look and sound better than it ever has been please !

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nevoy

If you're at all interested in pirates, pirate movies, New Orleans/early 19th century American history, or Yul Brynner, see this film for yourself and make up your own mind about it. Don't be put off by various lacklustre reviews. My reaction to it was that it is entertaining, well acted (for the most part), has some very witty dialogue, and that it does an excellent job of portraying the charm, appeal and legendary fascination of the privateer Jean Lafitte. While not all the events in the film are historically accurate (can you show me any historical film that succeeds in this?), I feel the film is accurate in its treatment of the role Lafitte played in New Orleans' history, and the love-hate relationship between the "respectable" citizens of New Orleans and this outlaw who was one of the city's favorite sons. Don't worry about what the film doesn't do, but watch it for what it does do, i.e., for its study of one of New Orleans', and America's, most intriguing historical figures.

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StormBorn

Sure, the history in this movie was "Hollywoodized"--but it's far from being the only bit of history rewritten for the masses. Lafitte sided with the Americans because he considered himself a Frenchman and therefore hated the British, not because of any sense of patriotism for a nation that had taken over New Orleans only a short time ago; he broke his agreement and returned to smuggling, which caused his sailing to Galveston; he was more of a petty criminal and scoundrel than a hero *or* a swashbuckler. But who cares? This is one movie that's sheer entertainment--and face it, we all wanted Jean to go for the feisty wench rather than the prudish daughter of the governor. Brynner once again rises over mediocre writing to give a fascinating performance.

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