The editorial team of zoomboola.com studied the history of the 'Pirates' to understand why they are criticized.
Classic Maritime Saga
At the center of the plot is an old sea dog, Captain Thomas Bartholomew Red, who dreams of acquiring immense treasures. His target is a Spanish galleon carrying gold, but as is often the case in maritime adventures, everything goes awry.
Source:
kinopoisk.ru
How Jack Nicholson Didn't Become a Pirate
Initially, Polanski wanted to cast Jack Nicholson as the captain, having previously worked with him on "Chinatown" (1974). The director already envisioned Nicholson as a pirate with a black beard, a wooden leg, and a wild look. However, this dream was shattered by Nicholson's demand for a multi-million dollar fee.
Polanski then turned to Walter Matthau ("Charade," "Dennis the Menace"). But there were complications here as well. The American actor found the script stupid and not at all funny and refused to take part. Matthau's son, Charlie, influenced his decision by reminding his father that Polanski was a cult director and passing up such an opportunity would be foolish.
The Long Journey to the Screen
The film was supposed to be released in the '70s, but the project was put on hold due to Polanski's legal issues. In 1977, the director was accused of engaging in sexual acts with an underage model. Polanski denied all charges. As BBC reminds us, Roman left the US and moved to France without awaiting the court's verdict. For the next eight years, Polanski did not make any films but remained hopeful for a triumphant return to cinema with a story about pirates. His dream was saved by French producer Tarak Ben Ammar, who provided him with funding and locations in Tunisia.Expensive Pleasure
With the funds of Ben Ammar, a full-fledged 60-meter galleon "Neptune" was built, complete with working cannons and wood carvings. An exact replica of a 17th-century Spanish galleon cost the sponsor 8 million dollars—what a scale! Later, "Neptune" became a tourist attraction, and in 2011, the ship appeared on screens again in the TV film "Neverland."In the end, more than 40 million dollars were spent on the creation of the film, making it Polanski's most expensive project. However, ticket sales in theaters brought in only about a million. No one expected that with such colossal investments and efforts, the film would fail spectacularly at the box office…The production of 'Pirates' was accompanied by constant problems—from storms to accidents on set. But, according to Ben Ammar, these difficulties were worth it, as the film provided work for 2,400 people for two years ahead.
A Film Criticized by Critics
The film was criticized for almost everything: the drawn-out plot, awkward jokes, and "dark themes" — from rat soup to breakfast with fishing hooks. Film scholar Kevin Thomas emphasized that the script is "as heavy as the huge galleon itself."Renowned critic Roger Ebert harshly criticized the film in his review, noting that the director "lacks an instinctive sympathy for the material." Moreover, Matthau, according to the publicist, clearly did not fit the role of an action hero.
However, there were those who liked "Pirates." Rumor had it that Stanley Kubrick called the film a "bold and audacious masterpiece" — although there is no documentary evidence to support this.
Polanski's film reinforced the film industry's belief that the pirate theme is a risky bet. However, in the 2000s, Hollywood returned to maritime romance, launching the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise. The success of the first part showed that audiences are still interested in such adventures — they just need the right mix of humor, action, and charismatic characters.
Why It Matters Today
These days, few remember "Pirates" — and that's a shame. The film is worth rewatching at least for the stunning costumes, which earned an Oscar nomination. The luxurious coats, tunics, and velvet vests were the result of many days of work by set designer Pierre Guffroy.And yes, 27% on Rotten Tomatoes is certainly not a compliment. But we at the zoomboola.com editorial team believe that "Pirates" is one of those cases where numbers don't matter. Give this film a chance — it might become as much of a revelation for you as it once was for Kubrick.
