A delightful, updated version of the timeless classic THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE by Gilbert and Sullivan. The fantasy world of a shy and awkward young girl comes to life after she meets a handsome lad dressed as a pirate at an amusement park. Read more
| Starring | Kristy McNichol, Christopher Atkins, Ted Hamilton, Bill Kerr |
|---|---|
| Director | Ken Annakin |
| Genres | Comedy |
loading...
A delightful, updated version of the timeless classic THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE by Gilbert and Sullivan. The fantasy world of a shy and awkward young girl comes to life after she meets a handsome lad dressed as a pirate at an amusement park.
| Starring | Kristy McNichol, Christopher Atkins, Ted Hamilton, Bill Kerr, Garry McDonald, Maggie Kirkpatrick |
|---|---|
| Director | Ken Annakin |
| Studio | 20TH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 34 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Comedy |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Hearing-impaired | English |
| Subtitles | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 28 Jul 2003 Production year: 1982 |
| Format | DVD |
A peculiar Australian adaptation of Gilbert and Sullivan's operetta, The Pirates Of Penzance, released around the same time as a star-studded American version. Kristy McNichol plays a young girl who dreams she's involved in the Penzance plot — a leaden rewrite that's hardly helped by Ken Annakin's plodding direction. Aussie stalwart Bill Kerr also turns up; there are some who believe you can't make a movie Down Under without him.
Galumphing fantasy which suggests that Australian film-makers had better stick to Botany Bay, Gallipoli and sheep shearing.
This is a very strange film that is a musical comedy based on the Pirates of Penzance. It is extremely early-eighties in style and sensibility. There are some funny moments, the pirate captain is very camp and amusing. However, I had to turn the sound down on some of the love songs with Christopher thingie (Peter from Dallas who had the affair with Sue Ellen) which are dire and sickly. Worth watching for the sheer curiosity value but only if you have nothing better to do.
If you like Gilbert and Sullivan....do not watch this movie. If you do not like Gilbert and Sullivan...still do not watch this movie! It mixes operetta with 80's synth pop and does no favours to either. I have a high kitsch tolerance but even I was forced to abandon ship near the start of this. The acting is awkward and the script clumsy. How they ever got funding for this remains a mystery. The writer who butchered the original (and still the best)'Pirates' should be marooned on a desert island with only this movie for company!