Pirate Movie, The [21]

There are not many movies I have desired to see because of the soundtrack. But, I expected The Pirate Movie to be a total dud until I heard the record of the movie music. I went out and bought the LP immediately, and then caught the movie finally when it came to HBO.

Since the movie is based upon the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta The Pirates of Penzance, it contains many of the classic songs from the show. The original G & S songs have been reworked to fit the updated context of the movie. The Modern Major Generals Song has been slightly altered and is well performed by Bill Kerr. Several new tunes were written specifically for the movie. One new song, and my favorite, is We are the Pirates, sung by Ian Mason. I can just imagine all the gravelly voiced sea dogs chanting this as they hoist the sails and ready the cannons. Ted Hamilton plays the (well hung) Pirate King and does a great job with his titular song as well as Come, Friends Who Plough The Sea. Christopher Atkins even hit #71 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in 1982 with the song "How Can I Live Without Her"

Christopher Atkins plays Frederic, the young boy held by a contract with the Pirate King. He will be released from his contract upon his twenty-first birthday. Unfortunately for Frederic, he was born on leap year day, February 29th. Thus, he only celebrates a birthday every four years. Kristy McNichol plays Mabel, his girlfriend and also daughter of the Major General. Mabel sings a wacky song herself called "Pumpin and Blowin" while she runs the diving suit air compressor for Frederic. Although this song won a Golden Raspberry award as Worst song in a movie, it is actually a very humorous double entendre.

Christopher, as you may recall, had his movie debut in The Blue Lagoon. In that movie he was marooned with the very lovely Brooke Shields on a tropical island paradise. He was a pretty hot property for a brief time. Kristy was too. Their careers just kind of carried along for a while. And they both did OK money wise, but appear to have turned their talents to other pursuits.

This is a fun 80s retro movie to watch. Check out the hair styles of Chris and Kristy for a good laugh. {BB}

Added: February 9th 2005
Reviewer: BB
29 Point Scale Score:    [21]

Related Link (IMDB): IMDB
Hits: 1919
Language: english