The Pirates of Blood River main backdrop
The Pirates of Blood River main poster

The Pirates of Blood River

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6.2/10 • 29

1962-05-091h 27m

AdventureActionDrama

Ransacking a lost tropic island... for a fabulous idol of gold!

A group of ruthless pirates attack a 17th Century Huguenot settlement on the Isle of Devon in search of treasure and will stop at nothing to obtain it.

Directors
John Gilling
Editors
Eric Boyd-Perkins

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Kerwin Mathews

    Kerwin Mathews

    Jonathon Standing

  2. Christopher Lee

    Christopher Lee

    Captain LaRoche

  3. Andrew Keir

    Andrew Keir

    Jason Standing

  4. Glenn Corbett

    Glenn Corbett

    Henry

  5. Michael Ripper

    Michael Ripper

    First Mate Mack

  6. Peter Arne

    Peter Arne

    Bosu'n Hench

  7. Marla Landi

    Marla Landi

    Bess Standing

  8. Oliver Reed

    Oliver Reed

    Pirate Brocaire

  9. Jerold Wells

    Jerold Wells

    Penal Colony Master

Reviews1

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John Chard Avatar

John Chard

Nov 26, 2019

7/10

I do not count my chickens before I see them, and then I wait until the eggs are hatched out. Pirates of Blood River is directed by John Gilling and written by Jimmy Sangster. It stars Christopher Lee, Kerwin Matthews, Glenn Corbett, Michael Ripper, Andrew Keir, Oliver Reed, Marla Landi and Peter Arne. Music is by Gary Hughes and cinematography by Arthur Grant. When Huguenot Jonathan Standish (Matthews) is found guilty of adultery, he is banished from the village and sent to serve hard labour at the penal colony. However, managing to escape, Jonathan is captured by pirates led by Captain LaRoche (Lee) and forced to lead the pirates back to his home village, where, LaRoche is convinced valuable treasure is hidden. One of Hammer Film Productions pirate ventures, Pirates of Blood River is landlocked but still a whole bunch of piratical fun. Sangster's screenplay dangles interesting carrots that aren't fully unearthed, such as the religious fervour holding the Huguenot village in its grip, and questions of main character's pasts are left unanswered, but cast are very spirited and Gilling, in spite of being brought in late and being a pain in the ass, crafts a fast paced picture of excitement and tension. The small budget and absence of a ship and seafaring malarkey is barely noticed, though this place of plunder doesn't look much like a tropical island. There's good action, especially for the "big" battle at the finale, while it's good to see low cost effects, such as a piranha attack simulated by ripples on the water, actually be very effective for dramatic purpose. Blindfold duelling, too, always a bonus. Plenty of beards, jolly roger speak, bodily abuse and guerrilla warfare, enough in fact to lift it above its obvious flaws. 7/10

Media

  • The Pirates of Blood River poster
  • The Pirates of Blood River poster
  • The Pirates of Blood River poster
  • The Pirates of Blood River poster
  • The Pirates of Blood River poster
  • The Pirates of Blood River poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
adulterypiratepiranhapenal colony17th centuryadulterous wife