Against All Flags (1952)

Brian Hawke of the Royal Navy versus the pirates of Madagascar.

Director:

George Sherman

Writers:

Æneas MacKenzie (screenplay) (as Aeneas MacKenzie), Joseph Hoffman (screenplay)

Stars:

Errol Flynn, Maureen O'Hara, Anthony Quinn

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Errol Flynn	...	Brian Hawke
Maureen O'Hara	...	Prudence 'Spitfire' Stevens
Anthony Quinn	...	Capt. Roc Brasiliano
Alice Kelley	...	Princess Patma
Mildred Natwick	...	Molvina MacGregor
Robert Warwick	...	Capt. Kidd
Harry Cording	...	Gow
John Alderson	...	Jonathan Harris
Phil Tully	...	Jones
Lester Matthews	...	Sir Cloudsley
Tudor Owen	...	Williams
Maurice Marsac	...	Capt. Moisson
James Craven	...	Capt. Hornsby
James Fairfax	...	Krukshank - Barber

Storyline

In 1700, the pirates of Madagascar menace the India trade; British officer Brian Hawke has himself cashiered, flogged, and set adrift to infiltrate the pirate "republic." There, Hawke meets lovely Spitfire Stevens, a pirate captain in her own right, and the sparks begin to fly; but wooing a pirate poses unique problems. Especially after he rescues adoring young Princess Patma from a captured ship. Meanwhile, Hawke's secret mission proceeds to an action-packed climax.

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Plot Keywords:

ruby | gold coin | sapphire | man tied up | torture | 

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Taglines:

He Ravished The Pirate Port Of Madagascar To Steal The Love Of Its Corsair Queen!

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Errol Flynn and Anthony Quinn previously worked together in They Died with Their Boots On (1941).

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Goofs

Throughout the movie the pirate ships are shown as major warships, including two-deck ships-of-the-line; though most pirate ships were smaller vessels; usually converted from merchant ships. While pirates often increased their strength by capturing better ships; none ever had ships as powerful as many of those shown in the movie.

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Quotes

Crop-ear Collins: [to Hawke about his new, beautiful wife] Now that I got her, what does I do with her?

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Connections

Referenced in AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: The Boss Baby Confuses Me (2020)

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Soundtracks

Haul on the Bowline
(uncredited)
Traditional sea shanty
Performed by Errol Flynn

User Reviews

Acceptable Pirate Film

If you like pirate films, you shouldn't miss this one. "Against All Flags" is not a great film of the genre, but it is entertaining and enjoyable.

It has all the ingredients. Battles at sea, the hero, the villain, the hero's romantic interest, the final sword duel, good settings and color and special effects are very good too (don't forget we are in the early 50's).

I think the cast helps a lot if not for outstanding performances (there are not very demanding roles) but for actors that were symbols in this kind of movie. Errol Flynn -probably the all time swashbuckler- was aging here but he still had his unique screen presence. Maureen O'Hara was often casted in adventure films and her undeniable beauty was always welcome. And Anthony Quinn -not a major star back then, but a classical villain- was on his way.

Pure pirate adventure; no more, but no less.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 February 1953 (Croatia)

Also Known As:

Against All Flags

Filming Locations:

Palos Verdes, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$1,600,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1