Customer Reviews

The Buccaneers: The Complete Series

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The mid to late 1950s and early 1960s saw numerous costume adventure series produced in England and exported to the United States, series like "The Adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel," "The Adventures of Robin Hood," "The Adventures of Sir Lancelot," "Ivanhoe," "William Tell" and "Sir Francis Drake." In the wake of the successful series "The Adventures of Robin Hood," the same production company, Sapphire Films, made "The Buccaneers" for the 1956-57 season on CBS. "The Buccaneers" focuses on the exploits of reformed pirate Dan Tempest and his crew as they aid Lt. Beamish, the acting governor of New Providence, a small British colony in the Caribbean. Robert Shaw, perhaps best remembered for his portrayal of "Quint," the doomed shark hunter in "Jaws," portrays Captain Tempest. Like "The Adventures of Robin Hood," "The Buccaneers" was produced for a juvenile audience but thanks to some good writing and acting, adults can enjoy this fun adventure series. Look for guest stars like Joan Sims and Sidney James from the "Carry On" movie and TV series, Hazel Court of Hammer Films fame, and even future film director John "Midnight Cowboy" Schlesinger makes an early acting appearance.

Following on the heels of their two previous classic TV releases (the 1954 version of "Sherlock Holmes" with Ronald Howard and "Victory at Sea," the early 1950s World War II documentary series), Mill Creek Entertainment offers all 39 episodes of this entertaining series. Given the low selling price for this release, I had low expectations for this DVD set, but was very pleasantly surprised at the visual quality of the episodes. These episodes are very near the quality that one would expect for a classic TV release from a major studio. There are some very minimal film specks and an occasional tape roll but, on an overall basis, Mill Creek has more than exceeded my expectations for this 50 year old series ("The Buccaneers" began U.S. broadcasts in September of 1956). There are 13 episodes included on each of three single-sided, dual-layered discs, but the transfers are very solid; I've seen no significant issues regarding compression or digital breakup on the episodes. Unfortunately, the Mill Creek Entertainment logo appears twice for about 15 seconds in each episode; it's not too distracting and is the only real negative for this release.

There are a couple of interesting notes on "The Buccaneers" and this release from Mill Creek Entertainment. In episode #9, titled "The Ladies," Robert Shaw is heard singing "Farewell and adieu to you, fair Spanish ladies. Farewell and adieu, you ladies of Spain . . ." Shaw would reprise this very same tune 19 years later in "Jaws." Shaw also returned to the genre in the 1976 film "Swashbuckler." Mill Creek incorrectly describes "The Buccaneers" as being television's very first pirate series on the back of the DVD box. That's not correct; "The Buccaneers" was produced in 1956 whereas "The Adventures of Long John Silver" (with Robert Newton reprising his signature role from two theatrical films), was produced in Australia in 1955 for syndication in the U.S. and England. It was Australia's first television production (it wasn't even shown there for a few years until the country had a nationwide feed) and was filmed entirely in color. Mill Creek has included 14 (of 26) episodes of this series in "The Ultimate Pirate Collection" which Amazon also sells.

For fans of classic TV and costume adventure series from the 1950s, I can easily recommend "The Buccaneers" . . . five stars and a hoist of the Jolly Roger!

Nearly 50 years before Jack Sparrow there was The Buccaneers.

I loved this series when I was 10. Allowing for the technology of the time, it's still a fun show, with good dialogue and good acting. Camera work is generally tight and the sets don't shake.

I am still in love with Lt. Beamish, and the wary relationship he and Tempest develop. But after watching and rewatching 50 years later, I find Hammond's Beamish is the best character in the show. Certainly the most developed one. (And this close to drop-dead gorgeous). Shaw was pretty much playing himself. But Hammond fleshed out what was essentially a comedy relief role of a naive bumbler with authority figure issues into someone with real grit underneath, added the touchstone orf "King and Country", honor and friendship, and went toe to toe with Shaw's ego and came out dead even or sometimes ahead.

The ad-libs and one-upmanship in this old series are just a tickle. I have no idea of what the professional relationship between Shaw and Hammond was, but the two characters really click.

Pity that Beamish disappears after episode 26. The show loses some spark as Tempest has no one to really bounce off of. Beamish was the only one who butted heads with him.

This is a Broadway musical waiting to happen. Someone please show this to Mel Brooks!

A terrific Yo Ho.

And thigh-high leather boots. . . .

One year later:

not only has it held up well and Beamish is as endearing as I remember, I actually managed to locate and contact the actor - Peter Hammond - who portrayed this delightful character.

After several phone conversations, he's 85 and delightful and charming, he barks and bites, he's coy and bright and a veteran curmudgeon all in a neat grandfatherly package.

memories don't come better than this. If I had met him when I was 10 I would have been struck dumb and brain-dead.

It's astounding to me the number of "official" media reviews of this old show I read that dismiss the Beamish character as a nearly total git when I am seeing the character evolve and mature. And I think that had to be Hammond's doing.

This is a great set and what a price. The quality is excellent and where can you get so many shows at this price. The shows are very well done, I've watched all of them and loved all. I remember watching this show as a kid so this made it even better.

THE BUCCANEERS was a half-hour British import that aired for 39 weeks on the CBS-TV network (Saturdays at 7:30 PM) during the 1956-57 season. In it, Robert Shaw plays Dan Tempest, a reformed and pardoned pirate who is charged by King George with the protection of the Bahamas (New Providence). Tempest's ship "Sultana" can also be seen in 1950's TREASURE ISLAND (with Robert Newton), as well as in the Gregory Peck version of MOBY DICK (directed by John Huston).

Besides Shaw, the BUCCANEERS cast includes Peter Hammond as Lt. Beamish, Wilfred Downing as Dickon, Paul Hansard as Taffy, Brian Rawlinson as Gaff and Edwin Richfield as Armando. Jane Asher is a guest star in episode #32 ("Flip and Jenny"). Asher was engaged to Paul McCartney during much of the 1960s.

This is a very well done television show that will appeal to young and old alike. Highly recommended. And for more swashbuckling adventure, the ULTIMATE PIRATES COLLECTION is better than a barrel of grog and a chest of gold dubloons. Arrrrrrrr!

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The following sequential program list includes episode titles, original airdates and guest stars (where indicated).

(.#1) Blackbeard (9/22/56) - Alfie Bass/Peter Bennett
(.#2) The Raider (9/29/56) - Jane Griffiths/Brian Worth
(.#3) Captain Dan Tempest (10/3/56) - George Margo/Judith Wyler/Peter Bennett
(.#4) Dan Tempest's War With Spain (10/10/56)
(.#5) The Wasp (10/17/56)
(.#6) Whale Gold (10/24/56)
(.#7) The Slave Ship (10/31/56) - Earl Cameron
(.#8) Gunpowder Plot (11/7/56)
(.#9) The Ladies (11/14/56) - Roy Purcell
(#10) The Surgeon of Sangre Rojo (11/21/56)
(#11) Before The Mast (11/28/56)
(#12) Dan Tempest and the Amazons (12/5/56) - Roy Purcell
(#13) Articles of War (12/12/56)
(#14) The Hand of the Hawk (12/19/56)
(#15) Marooned (12/26/56)
(#16) Gentleman Jack and the Lady (1/2/57) - Hazel Court
(#17) Mr. Beamish and the Hangman's Noose (1/9/57)
(#18) Dead Man's Rock (1/16/57)
(#19) Blood Will Tell (1/23/57) - John Dearth
(#20) Dangerous Cargo (1/30/57) - Roy Purcell
(#21) The Return Of Calico Jack (2/6/57)
(#22) Ghost Ship (2/13/57)
(#23) Conquistador (2/20/57)
(#24) Mother Doughty's Crew (2/27/57)
(#25) Conquest Of New Providence (3/6/57)
(#26) Hurricane (3/13/57) - Ewen Solon/Derek Sydney
(#27) Cutlass Wedding (3/20/57)
(#28) AztecTreasue (3/27/57) - Tommy Duggan
(#29) Prize Of Andalusia (4/3/57)
(#30) Dan Tempest Holds An Auction (4/10/57)
(#31) The Spy Aboard (4/17/57)
(#32) Flip and Jenny (4/24/57) - Jane Asher/John Dearth
(#33) Indian Fighters (5/1/57)
(#34) Mistress Higgins' Treasure (5/8/57) - Ewen Solon/Roy Purcell
(#35) To The Rescue (5/15/57)
(#36) The Decoy (5/22/57)
(#37) Instrument Of War (5/29/57) - Derek Sydney
(#38) Pirate Honour (6/5/57)
(#39) Printer's Devil (6/12/57)

If a campy black & white TV series from the 50's is what you're craving, this will satisfy your hunger. Featuring Robert Shaw before Man For All Seasons and Jaws, it's for pirate fanatics that can't get enough. Don't be tricked into buying the recently released 2 DVD set, you'll pay more for them than this Complete Series collection. Arrrr!

The videos are well produced - but - the stories are disappointing - memories are better. However, having said that ..... I do not regret buying the set and will watch them with a certain sadness.

Some people enjoy their entertainment gritty and real and some like it light-hearted and stylized. This series is for fans of the latter. These old adventure shows have a sense of not taking their stories or characters too seriously which makes for attractive light entertainment. It's all for good fun. Each episode tells a little story that wraps up rather predictably by the end, but the path the tale takes is always a little different.

The stories never get too bloody or violent. Even that bad guys tend not to die on screen and no one goes down in an ugly way, so this is good family entertainment. I really liked this series and it's bigger "brother", "The Adventures of Robin Hood", but it's important to remember that they reflect another era when people expected more theatrical and more stereotypical character behavior. You can find that sort of thing hokey or you can find it endearing. I find it endearing and enjoyed these pirate tales.

All of the episodes are in black and white and look clean. There is some sound quality fluctuation and some very obvious dubbing in spots where the dialog needed to be looped. Still, it's well worth the price.

I don't remember ever seeing this TV series so being a classic TV lover thought I had to take a look - an entire one season series at such a bargain price. On this release are all 39 episodes of the series run in glorious black & white. The set is in a good quality 3 DVD plastic jewel case.

Hey this is fine Sunday and rainy day matinee fare and well worth it. Considering the age pretty good reproduction - I have seen worse by Mill Creek Entertainment and so was pleasantly surprised & am prepared to check out their other releases.

There is lots of action in this very British series and some fine character actors and it reminds me each time I watch an episode to go back to watch those old swash-buckling pirate movies with Tyrone Power and Errol Flynn. This is all aimed at a younger audience and low on bloody & in-your-face violence compared to what we see these days. I believe suitable for all ages - young & old alike!

If you like classic TV and need to replace the current rubbish on TV screens for an hour or two, this is a fine chance to watch television of yesteryear!

INTERESTING SHOW FROM THE 50'S BRITISH ATTEMPT AT TV. THE ACTING WAS RATHER PHONY PRIRATING GESTURES, BUT SHAW WAS PRETTY CONVINCING AS WERE CERTAIN GUEST APPEARNACES BY FUTURES BRITISH NOTABLES. IT WAS TRAGIC THAT IT WAS A SHORT SERIES. INTRIGUING AND TYPICLE 50'S STYLE OF PHONY SETS,

I NEVER SAW THIS SHOW GROWING UP, BUT THE PRICE WAS GREAT FOR THE WHOLE SERIES. IT IS CORNEY AND NOT EXACTLY PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN BUT THE MORE YOU WATCH IT, THE BETTER IT GETS. IF YOU CAN GET CHEAP IT WILL PASS THE TIME.