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.
Treasure Island (1972)
6/10
Director: John Hough
Starring: Orson Welles, Walter Slezak, Lionel Stander, Maria Rohm, Kim Burfield, Paul Mull...
Orson Welles is Long John Silver in this 1972 adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic pirate tale. Young Jim Hawkins comes into possession of... 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
Blackbeard - Terror at Sea (2006)
6.5/10
Starring: James Purefoy
Go inside the cunning mind of a charming criminal genius as 'National Geographic' tells the dramatic story of one of history's most fearsome pirates.... Read more
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl ( Blu-ray ) (2003)
8/10
Director: Gore Verbinski
Starring: Keira Knightley, Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom
The popular Disney theme park attraction inspired this swashbuckling, high-seas adventure from producer Jerry Bruckheimer. The roguish yet charming Ca... Read more
The Scarlet Pimpernel (1999)
7.5/10
Director: Graham Theakston, Simon Langton, Patrick Lau
Starring: Richard E Grant, Elizabeth McGovern, Martin Shaw, Anthony Green, Ronan Vibert, C...
Filmed in Prague for its similarity to 18th Century revolutionary Paris (and lack of satellite dishes), this BBC mini-series of Baroness Emmuska Orzcy... 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
Cutthroat Island (1995)
5.6/10
Director: Renny Harlin
Starring: Geena Davis, Frank Langella, Matthew Modine, Maury Chaykin, Patrick Malahide, St...
Geena Davis and Matthew Modine deliver a tidal wave of nonstop action and adventure in this big budget pirate romp complete with a treasure map tattoo... Read more
Zorro (1975)
6.6/10
Director: Duccio Tessari
Starring: Alain Delon, Stanley Baker, Ottavia Piccolo, Moustache
A newly arrived Governor finds his province under the control of the corrupt Colonel Huerta. To avoid assassination by Huerta, he pretends to pose no... Read more
Royal Flash (1975)
6.8/10
Director: Richard Lester
Starring: Joss Ackland, Alan Bates, Britt Ekland, Bob Hoskins, Malcolm McDowell, Oliver Re...
Based on the second novel in George MacDonald Fraser's Harry Flashman series, this spirited, swashbuckling comedy from director Richard Lester feature... Read more
The Mask of Zorro (1998)
6.7/10
Director: Martin Campbell
Starring: Antonio Banderas, Anthony Hopkins, Stuart Wilson, Catherine Zeta-Jones
Executive produced by Steven Spielberg and directed by New Zealander Martin Campbell, this expertly crafted tale tells of an aged California folk hero... Read more