Customer Reviews

The Black Swan

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

What is perhaps the most perfect thing about this movie is that it captures the true essence of the swashbuckling films. "The Black Swan" is both directed and acted with a refreshing abandonment. Everything is let loose and blown up and had fun with, and it's quite a ride from beginning to end. Even such props as the costumes, which can overshadow the people in them, or the script, which can sometimes seem too lofty, only compliment the overall treat. We're given a daring adventure, vibrant characters, and exquisite scenery, and all we're asked is to have fun while we're visiting.

Tyrone Power (as Captain Jamie Waring) and Maureen O'Hara (as Margaret Denby) create the ultimate classic pirate/noblewoman couple, complete with Tyrone's charismatic charm and Maureen's signature spitfire nature. Their scenes together spark with that unique chemistry and also with an effortless humor that is more intelligent than slapstick and yet remains by and large unpredictable. They take turns being abused by just about everyone, including each other, and what should have been the most romantic moment (in bed together, a distinct no-no in Hollywood at the time) is rather a tense moment with death leering over them literally. They make a memorable couple, surrounded by a host of splendid actors.

George Sanders is once again a convincing villain, though far removed from his customary suave and sophisticated roles, and his coarse red beard helps those who might have trouble with this new image. Anthony Quinn is his nasty sidekick, alternately grinning maliciously at Jamie or leering over Margaret. Laird Cregar is wonderful as Captain Morgan, alternately proud of and frustrated with Jamie. Thomas Mitchell is perfectly cast as Jamie's right hand man and the would-be source of wisdom for all of Jamie's women troubles.

You must watch this movie in the same spirit that it was made, with your hair down and your heart open to excitement and your mind turned away from somber matters. Watch it if you want to lose a foul mood, or if you want to see some marvelous (award-winning) cinematography, or if you simply want to escape back into this fantasy world that Hollywood created so long ago--when leading men were as beautiful as their female counterparts, and when leading ladies always wore impeccable makeup, and when grand adventures didn't need to start or end on a tragedy.

The Black Swan is one of the great pirate films, in part because it manages to have a sense of humor without ever lapsing into farce. All the elements are here: sword fighting, ship battles, wine, women, and song.. tied together by an excellent cast and, as is always necessary, a gorgeous firey female lead. The Black Swan is one of those films that was so excellent that many of its elements became cliched, which some may inadvertantly read into the film when viewing it. Don't; it's a truly refreshing swashbuckling experience with just the right mix of musketry, mayhem, and mirth. Check it out, you won't be disappointed.

THE BLACK SWAN 1942
Directed by Henry King and stars Tyrone Power, Maureen O'Hara, Anthony Quinn, George Sanders, Laird Cregar, George Zucco, Thomas Mitchell.

This is one great swashbuckler. As I remember it, this is the one where Maureen O'Hara has to say "Jamie Boy" three times before she can win the heart of Tyrone. At the very end she does and when they kiss she literally SUCKS his face with a mouth open enough to eat a 14 lb. potato. George Sanders is the bad guy and you really hate him. The plot has to do with the Black Swan being a sought after pirate frigate which of course the hero gets along with the girl. Morgan the Pirate is made the govenor of Jamaica and he wants to go after all the rivaling gangs now that he has position power.

Music by Alfred Newman (nominated for best music) and it won an oscar for cinematography. It's in glorious technicolor and one beautiful movie, not to be missed by anyone who loves pirate movies.

Maureen O'Hara was in another swashbuckler from 1952 with Errol Flynn (AGAINST ALL FLAGS) and while I mention her, she was also in SINBAD THE SAILOR and AT SWORD'S POINT and of course her film debut in Hitchcock's JAMAICA INN but I think her best was THE BLACK SWAN as far as swashbucklers go.

This is just another example of the very rich reservoir of worthwhile fun flicks made in the 1940s and 1950s that are a true joy to rediscover. This simple pirate flick offers nearly- perfect, fast-paced escapist entertainment.

This, of course, is one of the finest swashbuckling movies ever made and has everything from swordfights to kinky romance and wonderful chemistry to keep the audience involved. Tyrone Power is at his youthful best here as Captain James Waring, Laird Cregar's [Morgan the Pirate's] second in command of the, shall we say, "reformed privateers" now [1673] in the service of the king. Power's love interest is the fiery Maureen O'Hara and the plot is a vehicle for an exciting adventure both on land and at sea. Yes, the plot for Captains Waring and Morgan is centered around their rather direct effort to restore law and order to the Caribbean from their new headquarters in Jamaica's State House as the new Governor [Morgan] and his appointed "right arm" Captain Waring. Everyone is appropriately wearing the most garish period costumes and the dialogue is a crisp, glib and entertaining mix of fast talk and romantic banter. As expected, Maureen O'Hara [Margaret Denby], as the daughter of the former Governor of Jamaica, at first cannot stand James Waring and his gregarious swagger. There are a lot of almost-censored scenes between these two that must be seen. Fortunately, however, the plot is not where this movie excels and one must recall that the obvious cliches seen today were not yet cliches in 1942. This is one of the movies that helped create them.

In addition to the leads, we have George Sanders playing a rather dark and coarse role as a treacherous, red-bearded "bad pirate", Capt. Billy Leach, and Thomas Mitchell from "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Gone With The Wind" as Tommy Blue -- a sort of second in command and advisor to the second in command. Laird Cregar as Morgan the Pirate is in every way larger than life both on the screen and off. He died tragically at age 28, three years after this movie was made and his presence does command the screen and almost overshadows Power's as well. His tragic story is well worth looking into as I did, wondering why I did not recognize such an obvious rising star in a 1942 film. My favorite quote of his in the film very well sums up the film's mood -- "I WISH I HADN'T REFORMED MY WAYS . . . I'D HAVE THE WHOLE COMMITTEE WALKING THE PLANK."

Leon Shamroy won an Oscar for his color photography and the movie was nominated for "BEST SPECIAL EFFECTS". Don't miss this spectacular spectacle of a movie!

Being a fan of Hollywood`s classic swashbucklers of the silent and early sound era, this is probably the ultimate pirate adventure complete with sea battles, grim pirates, lush tropical Carribean settings, romance and the ultimate hero Mr. Tyrone Power himself, even topping Douglas Fairbanks and Errol Flynn in this movie. Made by Hollywood veteran Henry King, it boasts an excellent cast, a good score, high production values and captures the spirit of pirate movies perfectly, especially because shot in Technicolor. Certainly Tyrone Powers best movie that makes him a worthy follower to Fairbanks and Flynn. Great fun!!

This sweeping, beautifully made pirate epic has Power play a swashbuckling aide to the notorious buccaneer Henry Morgan, who is pardoned from the gallows and is sent to Jamaica as the new governor. Tyrone falls in love with the gorgeous Maureen O'Hara, the daughter of the previous governor - who spurns the advances of this rough-hewn adventurer...The dialogue and story is very reminiscent of the earlier Flynn vehicle CAPTAIN BLOOD, and although the film is a trifle stilted in capturing the idiom of the period, the action is overwhelming once it begins. Power is terrific as James Waring, full of dash and derring-do. As Captain Morgan, Laird Cregar is fine with his enormous body bedecked with wigs and finery. George Sanders is made even more menacing than usual: he sports a thick red beard! As Margaret, O'Hara is ravishing, her red hair blazing in lush Technicolor & Anthony Quinn snarls and sneers as the heavy, Wogan. This film was nominated for its special effects and musical score (by Alfred Newman); it won an AA for Leon Shamroy's beautiful photography.

"The Black Swan" along with one or twoother such films can easily be called the very best Pirate films ever produced during Hollywoods Golden age.

I'll ignore, as I hope all readers will, the amazingly sexist heading by a previous reviewer that this film needs to be reviewed by a woman (total hogwash!!)and say that this is a splendid story filled with romance on the high seas, great pirate duels, and exciting action adventure. The production really has it all and benefits greatly from its two exalted leads. Tyrone Power was at the peak of his career when he made "The Black Swan" in 1942 and in this production he is all suave swashbuckler with a touch of the cheeky quality the Power brought to so much of his work. He is admirably matched here by the beautiful and spirited Maureen O'Hara who won, with time the dubious title of "Queen of the Pirate flicks" .She more than matches Tyrone with spunk and daring in this production.

The always reliable George Sanders donning a scruffy red beard plays the villian of the piece with his usual sarcastic wit and skullduggery and he plays beautifully off Tyrone's more polished image of everyones idea of the perfect swashbuckler.

The overraul production of "The Black Swan" is aided firstly by the strong action dominated direction of Henry King who guided Tyrone on numerous occasions through some of his best work, and secondly by the beautiful technicolour photography. Rarely has there been a more gorgeous looking production than "The Black Swan". The obvious generous budget (probably one of the last with World War 2 fast approaching) is put to splendid use here in the rich scenes set in the Carribbean, the really wonderful ship models used and the on location photography employed.

I couldn't fault this overraul productions entertainment value, with all the talent and technical skill employed both in front and behind the camera, it couldn't fail to please. Rarely has Tyrone Power shone like he does here and "The Black Swan" can't help but add up to a memorable viewing experience...a tale for young and old to enjoy.

Irresistible hogwash from the golden days of these swashbuckler films. In many ways, more satisfying than "Pirates of the Carribean" since this film is slightly more grounded in a recognizable reality, and is therefore somehow more accessible. The Technicolor photography, which was one of the film's many assets, receives much attention on this DVD, with Maureen O'Hara's commentary discussing the technique and the film's use of it. But the transfer here isn't up to snuff: some scenes are soft, and the color is subdued and muddy ocassionally. It's not a bad transfer, but certainly not as sharp as Fox's "Leave Her to Heaven," or "Blood and Sand". Still, for fans of Power, O'Hara, or the underrated Laird Cregar, an entertaining and physically lavish production worth more than one viewing. Old Hollywood the way it used to be, when opulent production values and sincere casts made such nonsense a real treat.

The release of THE BLACK SWAN on DVD is truly exciting news, not only because it's a wonderful film with beautiful cinematography (to say nothing of two awesome stars, Tyrone Power and Maureen O'Hara) but 20th Century-Fox is going all out on this 64-year-old film has done a $2 million restoration of the film to make it look better than ever and if that's not enough the legendary Miss O'Hara provides the commentary on the DVD!! In a wonderfully bountiful year in DVD history for classic movie fans, THE BLACK SWAN will surely rank as one of the greatest DVDs of the year for those who love the golden age of Hollywood.

The most gorgeous movies ever made were in the 1940s and 1950s, and all were in Technicolor. One of the most popular male stars to appear in Technicolor was Tyrone Power, and this is another one of his great titles. It is a rip-roaring, exciting pirate adventure that is VASTLY superior to "Pirates of the Caribbean". Lovely Maureen O'Hara photographs beautiful in Technicolor, as does George Sanders (in a red beard!).

Fox needs to stop being so concerned about The Simpsons and The X-Files and start releasing all of Tyrone Power's movies on DVD, including this one. Tyrone Power was the handsomest actor in Hollywood, and his movies were some of the best ever made.