Pirates of the Caribbean: the Curse of the Black Pearl film review

Review

Cast & crew

Pirates of the Caribbean: the Curse of the Black Pearl

(2003)

As this box-office smash is based on one of Disney's most famous theme-park attractions, we might have expected a shiver-me-timbers swashbuckler that's short on plot and long on action. Not so. It delivers plenty of both and is infinitely superior to the ride itself. With producer Jerry Bruckheimer at the rudder, it's a lavish Hollywood voyage into pirate country that effortlessly fills its two hours plus as blacksmith Orlando Bloom and governor's daughter Keira Knightley fall foul of buccaneers. Geoffrey Rush milks his role to the hilt as an archetypal pirate captain, but the real treasure comes courtesy of Oscar-nominated Johnny Depp, who delivers a swaggering, slurring, mascara-wearing turn as rascal Jack Sparrow, a seafaring rock-star type and irresistible comic hero. Complementing the action are some superb special effects, with the skeletal curse of the Black Pearl's crew under moonlight a particularly well-staged showpiece. JC

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Running time

143min

Country of origin

Genre

Fantasy Action Adventure

Original language

English

Screenplay

Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, from a story by Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Stuart Beattie, Jay Wolpert, from the Disney theme-park ride

Theatrical distributor

Buena Vista

UK cinema certificate

12A

UK cinema release date

August 2003




awards information


	Award	Category	Name	Nominee/Winner

	Academy 2003	Actor in a Leading Role	Johnny Depp	Nominee
	British Academy Film Awards 2003	Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role	Johnny Depp	Nominee
	Golden Globe 2003	Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Comedy or Musical	Johnny Depp	Nominee