Captain Blood Movie Review

One of Errol Flynn's first big roles, Captain Blood gives us Flynn at his classic best, as a dashing nobleman turned slave turned pirate turned nobleman -- heck, Blood's got everything!

The story is born from the classic Sabatini novel. In the opening scenes, set in the 17th century, Dr. Blood (Flynn) is pronounced guilty of treason -- for healing an enemy of the king of England. He's shipped off to an island colony as a slave, where the lovely Arabella Bishop (Olivia de Havilland, in her first of many collaborations with Flynn) purchases him. Ultimately he escapes the island, becomes a pirate captain, and turns the tables on everyone by rescuing the kidnapped Bishop and saving his former enemy by routing the French, who are now at war with the Brits.

Whew!

The swordplay and cannon fire barely let up in Captain Blood, and at times it can verge on adventure overkill. Flynn, though, is so engaging here -- much more so, I'd say, than in his more acclaimed Robin Hood -- and he ensures that the film is never boring for a second. De Havilland also shows substantial charm and promise in one of her first movie appearances. Altogether, Blood is a classic, and for good reason. They just don't make 'em like this any more.

Also available as part of the Errol Flynn Collection DVD box set.