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Pirates
1986 124 min France, Tunisia PG-13 16+
★5.9
Adventure, Comedy
Director: Roman Polanski
Trailers
Description
The adventures of pirate Captain Red and his first mate Frog.
Budget:
$40M
US Gross:
$1.64M
Worldwide:
$1.64M
Starring
Walter Matthau
Actor
Cris Campion
Actor
Damien Thomas
Actor
Awards
César Awards 1987
— Best Costume Design
César Awards 1987
— Best Production Design
César Awards 1987
— Most Promising Actor
Academy Awards 1987
— Best Costume Design
Key opinion
Roman Polanski's 'Pirates' is an ambitious, visually meticulous production that polarizes audiences due to its unconventional, authorial tone. While some viewers celebrate it as a uniquely charming and nostalgic masterpiece, others find the narrative aimless and the execution lacking in genuine dynamism.
| Production | The film utilizes authentic nautical settings and detailed sets, resulting in a visually immersive and meticulously crafted production design. | |
| Humor | The humor is characterized by a dark, satirical edge and absurdity that distinguishes it from standard Hollywood adventure fare. | |
| Acting | Opinions on Walter Matthau’s performance are deeply divided, with some praising his charismatic, mythic portrayal of Captain Red and others arguing he was miscast and failed to anchor the film. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative structure receives mixed reactions; supporters enjoy its dreamlike, episodic flow, while critics argue the plot is ad-hoc, aimless, and lacks a clear, driving momentum. | |
| Pacing | The pacing is a point of contention, viewed by some as a refreshing, nostalgic tempo and by others as lazy or lacking necessary energy. |