Swashbucklers
The pen may be mightier than the sword but Hollywood was quick to realise that good vs evil with a couple of biros wasn't going to cut it in the action stakes. Epitomised by the likes of Errol Flynn (pictured with Basil Rathbone in 'Robin Hood') and Douglas Fairbanks Sr and Jr, the typical swashbuckler was a dazzling swordsman, a fearless adventurer with courage in his heart, romance on his mind and a spring in his step. So buckle your swash and get ready for some rollicking old style entertainment.
The Adventures Of Robin Hood (1938)
8/10
Director: Michael Curtiz, William Keighley
Starring: Olivia de Havilland, Errol Flynn, Basil Rathbone, Claude Rains, Eugene Pallette
One of cinema's greatest adventure films sees Errol Flynn at his swashbuckling best in a role originally slated for James Cagney. Claude Rains is the... Read more
The Black Pirate (1926)
7.2/10
Director: Albert Parker
Starring: Douglas Fairbanks Sr, Billie Dove, Anders Randolf
The definitive pirate movie and one of Douglas Fairbanks' most popular films is this silent swashbuckler about a nobleman who vows to avenge the death... Read more
The Black Swan (1942)
6.9/10
Director: Henry King
Starring: Laird Cregar, Maureen O'Hara, Tyrone Power, Thomas Mitchell, George Sanders, Ant...
Tyrone Power is his usual stylish and articulate self in this classic swashbuckling pirate tale adapted from Sabatini's novel. The starry cast, music... Read more
The Crimson Pirate (1952)
7.3/10
Director: Robert Siodmak
Starring: Burt Lancaster, Nick Cravat, Eva Bartok
This rip-roaring, swashbuckling adventure (among the best) stars Burt Lancaster and Nick Cravat as buccaneers in the Mediterranean. It has it all - p... Read more
The Duellists (1977)
7.5/10
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Keith Carradine, Harvey Keitel, Edward Fox, Albert Finney
The Duellists is based on a story by Joseph Conrad, variously titled The Duel and The Point of Honour. Keith Carradine and Harvey Keitel play officers... Read more
The Four Musketeers (1974)
7.1/10
Director: Richard Lester
Starring: Oliver Reed, Raquel Welch, Richard Chamberlain, Michael York, Frank Finlay, Chri...
Richard Lester followed up his 1973 'Three Musketeers' with this swashbuckling comedy sequel. D'artagnan is now a musketeer, and must help his sword-... Read more
The Four Musketeers (Blu-ray) (1974)
7/10
Director: Richard Lester
Starring: Oliver Reed, Raquel Welch, Richard Chamberlain, Michael York, Frank Finlay, Chri...
Richard Lester followed up his 1973 'Three Musketeers' with this swashbuckling comedy sequel. D'artagnan is now a musketeer, and must help his sword-... Read more
The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (Blu-Ray) (1973)
6.8/10
Director: Gordon Hessler
Starring: Caroline Munro, John Phillip Law, Martin Shaw, Robert Shaw, Tom Baker, Douglas W...
Sinbad's adventure pits him against a master magician who's trying to reach the Fountain of Destiny on the lost land of Lemuria in a bid to be crowned... Read more
The Ice Pirates (1984)
5.7/10
Director: Stewart Raffill
Starring: Mary Crosby, Anjelica Huston, Robert Urich, Michael D Roberts, John Matuszak, Ro...
In the future, Earth is starved for water, so whoever has the ice... rules. Robert Urich, Mary Crosby and Anjelica Houston star in this nifty outer-sp... Read more
The Lady and the Highwayman (1987)
6.4/10
Director: John Hough
Starring: John Mills, Bernard Miles, Oliver Reed, Claire Bloom, Christopher Cazenove, Emma...
Barbara Cartland's 17th Century romance is adapted for television. Young Lady Panthea Vyne (Lysette Anthony) falls for a handsome highwayman, Silverb... Read more