Pirate Jean LaFitte declares war on Spain and raids Spanish ships under the Venezuelan flag, but never touches American ships. He fights the Indians and eventually establishes Galveston, on the Gulf of Mexico, where he hoards his loot. When one of LaFitte's pirates, unordered, sinks an American ship, he is hanged on LaFitte's orders. Belle Summers intends to find out whether LaFitte was guilty and while she finds the truth, her servant betrays her, and the American Army moves into Galveston, destroying the pirate's headquarters, LaFitte and Belle escape.
Paul Henreid stars as Jean Lafitte, a pirate and smuggler who lucked into being a minor hero of the War of 1812, and he does a fine job. The fact he isn't Errol Flynn or Tyrone Power in looks adds some authenticity as a real life pirate wouldn't look so dashing as the aforementioned actors. There's a certain sincerity in Henreid's acting, the technicolour is glorious and the action can be lively, however when there's talking the film's pulse is flatlined and the pace is a bit sluggish. Still it provides some entertainment and the climax is exciting.