A decade earlier, Charles Laughton had played a 'monster' Captain Bligh, in "Mutiny on the Bounty". Here, he plays another 'monster' sea captain, in Captain Kidd: a greedy, treacherous, privateer and pirate captain. He would rob and sink British merchant ships in his pirate phase, and literally stab some of his crew in the back. Don't hold the real Captain Kidd accountable for any of the specific crimes dramatized There is little historically accurate about him in this film. To what extent he was, in fact, a dangerous pirate, is still controversial. As dramatized at one point in the King's court, Laughton didn't have the physique or bearing expected of a notorious pirate. I don't know how he compares in these regards with the real Kidd... Laughton also played Kidd in the later "Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd" which, with its comedic features and periodic songs, I find a more pleasing experience than the present film.Randolph Scott, using the pseudonym Adam Mercy, is the stereotypical hero of this era, besting the scoundrel played by Gilbert Roland, in a rapier duel over Roland's unwelcomed amorous pawing of Lady Anne(Barbara Britton). As in the cases of "The Adventures of Robin Hood", and "Captain Blood", for example, Scott is characterized as having been a gentleman, but circumstances dictated that he play rogue during much of the film. He also plays an important role in countering Kidd's lies to King Charles, leading to Kidd's hanging.I must say, Mercy seemed to have more lives than a cat. He was knocked unconscious, then pushed off a small cliff into the sea. He wasn't observed to surface, yet somehow managed to avoid drowning, and swam to the ship. A little later, he and Anne stole a landing boat during the night. They were spotting and several cannon balls shot at them, one blowing the boat to bits. Yet, the 2 survived with no apparent injuries. Apparently, they were picked up, once onshore by a friend of Mercy and put on a ship going to England. Surprisingly, they arrived in London before Kidd, and thus had a chance to tell about his sinking of 2 British Merchant ships, robbing of their treasure chest, and murder of some of his crew. He robbed and blew up the very merchant ship the King had sent him to protect from pirates! Thus, one reason I don't much like this film is the improbability of Mercy surviving intact all these challenges. Also, the B&W photography and frequent scenes in near darkness contributes to a depressing mood. The last part is so rushed, you have the feeling the director had to catch a train....Suggest you watch "The Captain's Kid" instead. Both are viewable at YouTube.

Robert N. Lee wrote the story of " Captain Kidd " and when it got to the Silver Screen became a must see movie. The film which followed is very interesting and the leading man of the tale is none other that Charles Laughton who plays Capt. William Kidd with relish and is quite convincing in the role. As to whether the movie is based on fact is poor at best. Modern Historians contend that Kidd was unjustly hanged and displayed as an example to others in England 1701. The movie on the other hang is active, enjoyable and well done. The pirate's exploits garners the audiences' attention and the adding of some of Hollywood's' actors makes for a spirited adventure. One however questions the addition of Randolph Scott as Adam Mercy as he most apt to play Westerns. Others like John Carradine, Gilbert Roland, Sheldon Leonard and Reginald Owen are well placed. Eye candy is provided by Barbara Britton as Lady Anne Dunstan and in addition, the movie is filmed in Black and White. However, it's a good feature movie and does prove to become a Classic in many ways. In retrospect, the movie like the Legend of Captain Kidd is often misunderstood. Recommend to Charles Laughton fans. ****

While there's action and plenty of villainy, the lack of color (both physical and metaphorical) makes this a dull adventure. Charles Laughton, captain at sea in "Mutiny on the Bounty" and pirate of sorts on land in "Jamaica Inn", combines both as the title character, hamming it up to try and enlivening things, and is assisted in nefariousness by John Carradine, but theirs is a flaccid attempt to enliven a lackluster screenplay. Interest wanes as he goes up against the king's plant, Randolph Scott, who of course gets the heroine (Barbara Britton) as he sets out to expose and bring Laughton to justice. By the time Laughton gives a final curse in his broadest thespian manner, you'll have lost interest. Laughton would do better in this role when he got the bumbling team of Abbott and Costello to lighten things up for him.

Fictionalized account of Captain Kidd has him looking to gain entry into favored English society after tricking the king to commission him as escort to a ship coming from India loaded with treasure. Of course, Kidd (here played with gusto by Charles Laughton) has his eyes set firmly on gaining much of said treasure for himself without the king even realizing what's he done.Despite Laughton's best efforts and boisterous acting performance and an all star cast including Randolph Scott, Barbara Britton, John Carradine and even Henry Daniell in a short role as the King, this never rises above being just average at best. In terms of a swashbuckler, this has one sword fight that's much too short. In terms of action of the high seas, the sea battles prove all too brief. Mostly this features talking between characters to further advance the plot. In short, there's way too much posturing and talk and nowhere near enough action. Overall, it's surprisingly dull.