The Black Pirate (Silent) - DVD

D.W. Griffith's Colossal Spectacle is considered by many critics to be the greatest film of the silent era. The lavish, innovative epic weaves four separate stories that depict the menace of hate, from ancient civilization up to the present day, tied together by a poignant motif of life's continuous struggle with good vs. evil in which the Eternal Mother (Lillian Gish) is seen rocking the cradle of humanity. Griffith's superb dramatizat

Songs by Rodgers and Hart highlight this early Technicolor treat that focuses on Jonathan Pride (Charles Collins), an 1820s Boston dance teacher shanghaied by buccaneers. He escapes when they hit California, but a misunderstanding leads to a death sentence... which is stayed so that he can teach the local ladies the waltz. With Frank Morgan, Steffi Duna star; look for Rita Hayworth as a dancer. Songs include InchWhen You're Dancing the Waltz,Inch InchAre You My Love?Inch 83 min. Standard; Soundtrack English; audio commentary; more.

Fredric March plays the swashbuckling pirate Jean Lafitte, operating of the coast of New Orleans, Lafitte and his thousand pirates plunder all passing ships for the wealth, but refuses to attack any vessel flying the American flag. Lafitte is offered a pardon by Andrew Jackson (Hugh Sothern), if he and his men fight by his side against the powerful British redcoats. As good as his word, Lafitte stands shoulder to shoulder with Jackson as they ward off the British at the Battle of New Orleans. Rescued from a sunken ship by Lafitte, Dutch maiden Gretchen (Franciska Gaal) falls madly in love with the dashing pirate, but he only has eyes for aristocratic Louisiana belle Annette (Margot Grahame), the daughter of Governor Claiborne (Douglass Dumbrille) who's Lafittes arch nemesis. The stellar cast includes Akim Tami off, Walter Brennan and Anthony Quinn. Directed by the great Cecil B. DeMille who also produced a remake of the Buccaneer in 1958.