Customer Reviews

Yellowbeard [VHS]

5 star:		(111)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I saw this film in the theater when it was originally released in 1983 and it has been one of my favorites ever since. What is amazing is that it bombed at the box office and was panned by the critics. This movie is hilarious, and has to be seen in the Monty Python frame of mind. Chapman is priceless, Madeline Kahn is unforgettable, John Cleese is brilliant, Cheech and Chong are hilarious, and Marty Feldman is a comic genius. I have friends over every year to see this film and it's become a "Rocky Horror Picture show" type of event complete with costumes, antics, quote contests, and other silliness. It is a shame this isn't available on DVD. Most of the VHS versions were poor quality, and my copy is certainly on its last legs. If you enjoy Monty Python, this definitely belongs in your collection while it's still somewhat available.

This movie is far under-rated in the realm of the Python movies. Seems to me it didn't get enough PR or something because as a comedy film alone it is hilarious. It stars Graham Chapman (Yellowbead a crude, nasty, out of touch, murderous pirate that kills anyone that gets in the way of his killing anyone), John Cleese (Blind Pew who has the most acute hearing in the world), Eric Idle, Marty Feldman, Cheech and Chong (Spanish morons), Madeline Kahn (the unfaithful Mrs. Yellowbeard), Peter Boyle (Yellowbeard's adversary and former ship-mate, Moon), and James Mason (a cruely funny, overly sadastic, extreme Mutiny on the Bounty captain type). It is set in the year 1707 and starts out with Yellowbeard nearing his release after 15 years in an English prison, and of course everyone wants to know where Yellowbeard hid his pirate treasure. Yellowbeard escapes the prison after his sentence is unfairly increased (to get him angry enough to escape on purpose) just before his parole and the rest movie is based on his attempt to avoid beng imprisoned again while being chased by the limp-wristed British authorities and going on a funny non-sensical killing, raping (because he likes rape) and pilliging rampage tryng to recover the treasure he hid so long ago. Of course the British authorities and Moon are after the treasure too :) This is a classic and should have been released on DVD a long time ago. This is Python stuff at it's best with the nastiest Python humor anywhere! Someone please pick up on it and make a DVD of it soon as I have only used rental resale VHS version (accch!) copy of it and would love to see it as it was meant to be seen- clearly and with good THX sound.

Tears stream down my face from laughing so hard when I watch this movie. This is one of the funniest darn movies ever, and for some reason it's so under appreciated. Do I just have a weird sense of humor? It's so darn funny! How can it not be funny with the cast of Monty Python, Cheech and Chong, and of course the wonderfully talented Madeline Kahn...oh, also, if you watch closely there is a very short scene with David Bowie in it. How can you go wrong? Admittedly, the quality of film isn't exactly the best, but with that aside one can still enjoy the hilariously witty one-liner's in the movie that will leave you quoting it after seeing it. So aside from it being a bit rough around the edges, you will laugh your [...]off watching it.

Why don't they make more pirate movies? Probably because the mold was broken after Yellowbeard. I mean, Cutthroat Island was funny, but I don't think they meant it to be. Graham Chapman stars as the scurvy dog himself, and his supporting cast is wonderful, including Pythons John Cleese and Eric Idle, Cheech Marin & Tommy Chong, Peter Boyle, Kenneth Mars, Susanna York, the late great James Mason, the late great Madeline Kahn, the late great Goon Spike Milligan, the late great Beyond The Fringe alum Peter Cook, the late Sir Michael Horndern, and finally, the late great Marty Feldman in his last role. Feldman died in Mayheeco before this was finished, hence the disjointed ending, but he was wonderful while he lasted. This sprang from the fertile & addled brain of Who drummer Keith Moon, who died before it was made. David Bowie was on vacation in Mexico in the same area while this was filmed, and makes an uncredited cameo. John Cleese is wonderful as Blind Pew (Cleese: "'oi 'ave acute 'earing." Idle- "I don't care about your jewelry"). James Mason is a hoot, playing it straight as a brutal English captain. Cheech & Chong are great, although I half expected to see them launch into their classic shtick of "Buggery On The High Seas". If your sense of humor is twisted, get this movie. If your SOH is just silly, get it too. If you miss Marty Feldman half as much as I do, then that means I miss him twice as much as you. There's also a "Making Of Yellowbeard" program out there. Keep your eyes peeled for it, too, it is worth it.

Well suffice it to say this is a very funny movie. Just look at the cast. Some which have passed away. I can only say it stumps me as to why this isn't out on DVD when Cabin Boy and other similar movies are in fact on DVD. The mix of some of the Monty Python crew with a spattering of various other comedians including Cheech & Chong make it unforgettable. Good sets and music add to the movie. Anyone that enjoys comedies or pirate movies should find this entertaining. If you like Monty Python, Cheech & Chong, the Marx Brothers, or the Three Stooges you will love it.

When I first stumbled upon this movie, I thought it might be a decent way to kill an hour or so. I was right, but the movie was so much more than I expected. Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Peter Boyle, Cheech (Marin) and (Tommy) Chong, Madeline Kahn, and (last but not least) Marty Feldman-none of them would let you enjoy a quiet moment. I know that this movie will not be for everyone, but if you enjoy things like Monty Python productions or Eric the Viking, it is a safe bet that you will enjoy this film.

Vive la DVD

we need the DVD!

Are you in the mood for a pirate with a little more experience under his swordbelt, a man who takes an old-fashioned sort of pride in raping and robbing and who, if the circumstances are right, will force men to eat their own lips? Then you need to set sail with Yellowbeard.

Yellowbeard is Graham Chapman's fierce and mighty captain in this classic seafaring movie set in the golden age of piracy. Chapman -- best known for his work with Monty Python's Flying Circus, particularly as Brian in "Life of Brian" and Arthur in "The Holy Grail" -- chews scenery with such gusto you expect him to bite through ship's planks and maybe a palm tree or two. He is hail and hearty, greedy to a fault and ruthless in his pursuit of enough Spanish gold to make him the richest man in the world.

The story is simple but fun, and the cast is pure comedic delight, including Tommy Chong, Cheech Marin, Madeline Kahn, Peter Cook, Michael Hordern, Eric Idle, Peter Boyle, John Cleese and Marty Feldman. Chapman in particular roars through the movie with bloodthirsty enthusiasm; the man was a true comic genius.

This movie is mostly about silliness and meaningless fun, with only a thin thread of a plot holding it together. Critics who dismiss it as nonsense miss the point. It's rough and unpolished, and even funnier for it. "Yellowbeard" is a laugh riot, and it deserves to be pulled from the shelf and enjoyed at least once each year.

by Tom Knapp, Rambles.NET editor

Somewhat of a forgotten period piece comedy, YELLOWBEARD, stars a couple of the Monty Python troupe and Cheech and Chong? There are many funny bits and some good comedic perfomances by Madeline Kahn, Marty Feldman, and Eric Idle with cameos by David Bowie and Peter Cook. Story by Python, Graham Chapman (also in the title role), about a ruthless pirate and his search for buried treasure, and everyone who is after Yellowbeard and the buried loot. Perhaps it would have been funnier if the whole Monty Python Troup had appeared with their patented use of taking on multiple roles etc. Otherwise, the script and plot are predictable. A last comedic glimpse of Kahn, Feldman, Cook, and even Graham Chapman who have since passed away.

Yellowbeard is a fantastic film that shows off the best of Monty Python, Cheech & Chong, and some of the usual cast members from Mel Brooks films. Hilarious, vulgar, obscene, quite possibly one of the best murderous pirate comedies ever. This movie needs to be on DVD.

Please, please, PLEASE release this on DVD! This movie is one of the funniest of all time. If you like Monty Python or Mel Brooks, this is a movie for you.