The Pirates of Penzance

Trailer—The Pirates of Penzance

source: The Pirates of Penzance

The Pirates of Penzance

I'm sure it was fun to watch The Pirates of Penzance when it was originally released, but it's even more fun to watch it now. The floppy hair, the filmmaking style, the singer no one under the age of 30 has heard of. It's a great flashback to 1983! Nearly the entire Broadway cast made it to the movie, and it's such a treat to see Kevin Kline in his swashbuckling, musical comedy prime. Whether your favorite part of the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta is the Pirate King or trying to recite the words to "Major General's Song", you'll be delightfully entertained by this funky theatrical. The only question is, why did it take thirty years before the man who played "The Pirate King" was cast as Errol Flynn, a "pirate king" from the silver screen? If you're a musical theater or operetta fan and this one managed to pass you by, invite a group of friends over and rent it. Bonus points for dressing up, and extra bonus points if you sing along. You're in for a very fun movie night!

the late actor who plays the Major-General and the late Tony Azito who is the captain of the constables, were just part of this great cast, this is a great tribute to two men who died so tragically. Can't think of a better venue to showcase all of these actors/actresses and singers all.

God knows what affected the nation's sense of humor and sensibility here in Australia, but this production was a gigantic hit in 1983 and this film played for months on end breaking records in cinemas across Australia. Middle aged women went to see it dozens of times and it became the auntie and nieces repeat movie visit of the year. And 1983 was a terrible year for Oz cinemas with a video boom happening. PIRATES even was remade here with Kristy Mc Nichol and Christopher Atkins, such was the fever! and on top of that it was revived on stage and toured Nationwide at least 3 times into the 90s. Then of course we went on to make PRISCILLA and MURIEL and STRICTLY BALLROOM and all the rest of the musical campery Oz is known for. Women could just not get enough of Rex Smith and Kevin Kline. They just went crazy. Such is Australia.

Gilbert and Sullivan titles, like Shakespeare, are far too easy to do badly. They can fall into 'traditional' ruts that rapidly drain all the life out of them. This is why THIS Pirates of Penzance is such a treat. The production team obviously recognized that the whole story is absurd, and so they had fun with it. They took their work seriously, but not (the kiss of death) pompously. The result is wonderful. HOWEVER: be warned that there IS a DVD of Pirates of Penzance with ALMOST the same cast. It was filmed/taped on Broadway as part of an archival project while the production that inspired the movie was on stage. IT IS SIMPLY AWFUL! It may well serve its original purpose as a reference for professionals, but the camera work is so bad as to be almost unwatchable. It totally spoils what looks like it may well have been a charming production - at least I assume it was; it inspired a wonderful film, but you just can't tell from the DVD.

I first saw this film version of THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE in a movie theater in Dayton, OH, the night it premiered. I took a good friend to see it a few nights later, and went back one more time by myself to see it before it disappeared after only one week!! It is true to the spirit of the original, with modern interpretations which would please G&S immensely. I agree the cast is excellent. I don't have time or space to single them out and discuss my thoughts on each actor, but if you are either a G&S fan, a general musical theatre fan, or fans of anyone in the cast, then I encourage you to rent or buy this wonderful film!!

I am a true G & S Aficionado but this surprised and delighted me. The cast are brilliant but Kevin Kline has the edge. Agile, in great voice, lots of humour and quick, funny bits in his performance (blink and you miss them). His dancing and acrobatics are superb. The police also had me howling with laughter along with their police dogs and the major general romping through the fields with the pirates singing UNDERWATER in the babbling brook has to be a classic. This scene has to be seen to be believed. Bravo, cast !! This should have had a lot more publicity. I would adore seeing it in the large theatre, at least we had "Topsy Turvy" this year. This Pirate is fun for all ages.