Errol Flynn: An Original Pirate of the Caribbean

by Eric Szyszka

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End brought a successful close to the Disney franchise this past summer. Right? With this trilogy now complete one thing is definite -- the fate of the pirate movie is now up for grabs. The genre has proven to be a credible money-making genre for the first time since Classic Hollywood, so naturally, we have to wonder, what's next? One rumor that has been floating around has been a Captain Blood remake. Well, in light of this, I think we should reflect on the original remake, the star making performance, and the legacy it gave birth to. That's right, there's an earlier silent Blood film that predates Errol Flynn's. However, it was Flynn that without a doubt redefined the term "swashbuckler" for us all. He helped launch a legacy that continues into the multiplexes to this day after only a few trip up investments—remember Cutthroat Island? Try not to.

Errol Flynn, for me, will always be the definition of adventure. Long before Johnny Depp decided to put on eye-liner and portray an aging rock star-gone-pirate, Errol conquered these waters and with his own bravado – late 20^th century pop culture not required. Flynn portrayed a sympathetic man in pretty much every role from his sold into slavery freedom story of Captain Blood to The Sea Hawk and even surprisingly in the bio-pic of General George Custer whom I never could think of being a sympathetic role until Flynn tackled it and proved us all wrong with They Died With Their Boots On.

In Captain Blood, Errol is Dr. Peter Blood (great name, right?) and he is arrested for performing medical procedures on enemies of the crown. This means one thing of course, being sold into slavery. His distaste for monarchy, authority, and the aristocracy fuels his character. He even resists allowing the beautiful Arabella (Olivia De Havilland) to purchase him. Eventually, when about to meet the end, pirates attack which allows him to escape the Jamaican plantation he's been sent to. The attack is an utter convenience Blood recognizes in such a way we just have to laugh and go with it: "This is what I call a timely interruption! Though what'll come of it - the devil himself only knows!" After this, Captain Blood is born, and he will have revenge on the throne all while hitting a divide among pirates, giving him the major antagonist in the form of Basil Rathbone. Without giving too much away, this movie makes for a fun ride of action, the high seas, and a sense of morality within its piracy that would probably make young audiences of today simply groan. Fortunately, while Blood wants to reap justice, he isn't exactly a Rambo-esque figure. Flynn is, however, probably one of the biggest influences on the modern day action hero.

Flynn had a charming honesty in his work, while the acting while might not have been as momentous as a Marlon Brando or Daniel Day-Lewis performance; he gave us truly touching parts without it looking as if he was trying. You felt as if you were there with him and Olivia De Havilland through their many pit falls and love affairs (and eight films together.) You were laughing with him during his jokes. You dodged swords with him (okay, maybe some bad wording there considering his numerous sex scandals and accusations.) Through all this, the superb method in which Errol Flynn injected both charm, jokes, and action together definitely marks a path towards the one-liners of our Die Hards and Schwarzeneggers but in Flynn's case they were done with restraint, elegance, and certainly weren't as knee-slappingly funny for funny's sake. In short, when Flynn did it, it worked.

His personal life was a subject of the tabloids, gossip, and court proceedings and did that interfere with the work? No, it actually might have only benefited it. He gave us a fun-loving character that in many ways reflected his own personality as evident through some interviews and his auto-biography, “My Wicked, Wicked Ways.” His roles hated authority just as much as he did, i.e. the constant arguments with Jack Warner and Michael Curtiz. His escapades with women and sailing must have also helped him build his structure for these swashbuckler roles.

Flynn was a profound figure and I can not think of a single actor of this generation that could even fill his socks let alone his boots. We'll see if a remake really materializes or not. In the mean time, I implore you, check out the work of Errol Flynn. Don't just stop with Captain Blood and Robin Hood though! Keep digging beyond the work with Curtiz to the films he did with the tremendously talented director Raoul Walsh such as They Died With Their Boots On or the down-right Indiana Jones-like Desperate Journey in which Errol and Ronald Reagan go behind Nazi enemy lines and literally fist fight their way out. I'd also recommend Vincent Sherman's The Adventures of Don Juan (the part he was born to play.) So, what are you waiting for? Get in like Flynn on Errol Flynn.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End was released on DVD December 4th, 2007.