Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Yul Brynner | ... | Jean Lafitte | |
Claire Bloom | ... | Bonnie Brown | |
Charles Boyer | ... | Dominique You | |
Inger Stevens | ... | Annette Claiborne | |
Henry Hull | ... | Ezra Peavey | |
E.G. Marshall | ... | Gov. William Claiborne | |
Charlton Heston | ... | Gen. Andrew Jackson | |
Lorne Greene | ... | Mercier | |
Ted de Corsia | ... | Capt. Rumbo | |
Douglass Dumbrille | ... | Collector of the Port | |
Robert F. Simon | ... | Capt. Brown | |
Sir Lancelot | ... | Scipio | |
Fran Jeffries | ... | Cariba - Mawbee Girl | |
John Dierkes | ... | Deacon | |
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Ken Miller | ... | Young Sentry |
During the War of 1812 against the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland: General Andrew Jackson has only 1,200 men left to defend New Orleans when he learns that a British fleet will arrive with 60 ships and 16,000 men to take the city. In this situation an island near the city becomes strategically important to both parties, but it's inhabited by the last big buccaneer: Jean Lafitte. Although Lafitte never attacks American ships, the governor hates him for selling merchandise without taxes - and is loved by the citizens for the same reason. When the big fight gets nearer, Lafitte is drawn between the fronts. His heart belongs to America, but his people urge him to join the party that's more likely to win. Written by Tom Zoerner <Tom.Zoerner@informatik.uni-erlangen.de>
If you're at all interested in pirates, pirate movies, New Orleans/early 19th century American history, or Yul Brynner, see this film for yourself and make up your own mind about it. Don't be put off by various lacklustre reviews. My reaction to it was that it is entertaining, well acted (for the most part), has some very witty dialogue, and that it does an excellent job of portraying the charm, appeal and legendary fascination of the privateer Jean Lafitte. While not all the events in the film are historically accurate (can you show me any historical film that succeeds in this?), I feel the film is accurate in its treatment of the role Lafitte played in New Orleans' history, and the love-hate relationship between the "respectable" citizens of New Orleans and this outlaw who was one of the city's favorite sons. Don't worry about what the film doesn't do, but watch it for what it does do, i.e., for its study of one of New Orleans', and America's, most intriguing historical figures.