Purchased as a slave in the Panama market by the Dona Inez, daughter of the Spanish Governor, Welshman Sir Henry Morgan soon finds himself in love with the young woman. Soon after however he commandeers the ship transporting him and other slaves and soon they are the scourge of Caribbean looting and attacking the mighty Spanish Empire. The pirates soon find themselves acting under the authority of the English and Morgan has only one goal: to attack and take control of Panama.
Peplums get a bit of a raw deal of being cheap and silly, but in my opinion they are quite imaginative, capture a sense of time, build the scenario with a dramatic flourish, like an Opera - at least the good ones, and Morgan The Pirate is certainly a good one. It's quite enjoyable, beautiful looking with flamboyant costumes, well-ornate ships, with enough conflicts and lively action - the swordplay between Reeves and another pirate on the beach is quite exciting - and amidst the mayhem the relationship between Reeves and the governor's daughter is well thought out - she just doesn't fall into his arms, even when he declares his love for her. She still thinks him of a slave ... a stubbornness borne out from her mentality honed by her environment. Steve Reeves is really good as Henry Morgan, he's less Errol Flynn in terms of being a cheeky chappy, and is more serious and honourable. This is no doubt a romantic version of the pirate Henry Morgan but an enjoyable one. That's I think is down to Andre De Toth - who directed a few Randoloh Scott westerns and the excellent The Last of the Comanches- is a solid director.
Peplums get a bit of a raw deal of being cheap and silly, but in my opinion they are quite imaginative, capture a sense of time, build the scenario with a dramatic flourish, like an Opera - at least the good ones, and Morgan The Pirate is certainly a good one. It's quite enjoyable, beautiful looking with flamboyant costumes, well-ornate ships, with enough conflicts and lively action - the swordplay between Reeves and another pirate on the beach is quite exciting - and amidst the mayhem the relationship between Reeves and the governor's daughter is well thought out - she just doesn't fall into his arms, even when he declares his love for her. She still thinks him of a slave ... a stubbornness borne out from her mentality honed by her environment. Steve Reeves is really good as Henry Morgan, he's less Errol Flynn in terms of being a cheeky chappy, and is more serious and honourable. This is no doubt a romantic version of the pirate Henry Morgan but an enjoyable one. That's I think is down to Andre De Toth - who directed a few Randoloh Scott westerns and the excellent The Last of the Comanches- is a solid director.