I think this is a cute comedy - a clear variation made in 1982 of the Gilbert and Sullivan 'Pirates of Penzance'. This movie lends itself more to teenage girls. It is a fun movie! My daughter loved it - probably because it gave her someone to look up to or fantasize emulating. My daughter liked the costumes. There was no swearing, no blood or violence. It was good clean fun. The music and singing was a big hit for our family while watching it. The movie was not a big hit, the acting was not great, no-one got any big awards. But it was a feel good movie that was exciting for young teenagers to watch. It took a long time to come to DVD. I wish it was available on Vudu.

What a fantastic movie with Christopher Atkins and Maggie Kirkpatrick all filmed in Australia, with great songs and great scenery of parts of Australia, this needs to come out on Bluray and in 5.1 audio so that the quality is better.... Let's hope we see it soon on blue-ray 10 out of 10 ....... It's a classic from the 80's...and will never grow to old to watch I've Seen this movie more than a dozen times and bought the double LP when it came out..... The songs will live on and on My first love...is great And the backdrop of the twelve apostle in Victoria And the Werribee mansion looks amazing.... The costumes are fantastic and to see Maggie Kirkpatrick in another role that isn't the freak from prisoner cell block H is a great laugh....

One of the wonderful things about G&S is that their operetta's were written for the common person. They were short, had simple plots with twists, catchy tunes, and could easily be adapted for whatever time period they were performed in.The Pirate Movie is a wonderful example of this where the timeless 'Pirates of Penzance' had been introduced into the 80's with style. Having seen both the Pirates of Penzance, HMS Pinnifore, and the Mikado several times it is great how the songs and speeches can have little modernizations introduced to them yet still keep the plot true.G&S was never never serious - not is meant to be taken seriously (not like Wagner's Ring) and the cast of The Pirate Movie has taken that to heart.This is a movie for everyone. Witty comments that can have many meanings, old and new songs, great characterizations, and lot's of nods to other classics.If you are looking for something deep and meaningful then this movie is not for you. If you looking for a few hours of light hearted fun, music, swordplay then this is something to grab and cherish for a few viewings. Believe me you will need a few viewings to catch all if the little gems hidden in it.Enjoy..

I was a theatre snob when this film came out. I'd seen the play (operetta/light-opera) and other Gilbert and Sullivan offerings, and when this film was announced I donned my elitist hat, and wrongfully snubbed this film. At least in public.Privately I thought it was okay, but still had misgivings. I mean, the theatre was an affair for those with true desire to see stage performances: A thing enjoyed by a certain club. To have it popularized and reworked for "the masses" felt like a jab. Like having something private torn away from you to be shared with all.Well, like I say, I had mixed feelings regarding the film. On the one hand I found it a delightful fantasy for adults, with tons of innuendo and jokes. On the other hand it felt like a high-concept sexploitation film for teenagers, and that really outraged this viewer.Or it did.Through this confluence of emotions, and a few more years and screenings later, I've come to love it for what it is. A reminder of a somewhat simpler time for the youth oriented, but still ever so marginally polluted with 80's teenage sexual tension. A somewhat not-so-subtle attempt to pacify (not emasculate) the male. A heartfelt affair that actually has a lot of pleasantness to offer, but it's also rather saccharine to boot.To me this is the kind of film you watch on a lazy weekend afternoon, or with some other friends (notably couples) you grew up with for a little romantic boost.There's a number or two more added here from the original production, the dialog of course resembles nothing of the Victorian dictates once recited by the thespians, and there's lots of contemporary 80's references thrown in to boot.I like the movie. I really do. Don't get me wrong. And, after a fashion I'm glad it was made, but as I say, it feels like a private world of us theatre snobs was forced out into the open without our approval. Even so it is a fun watch. Particularly Kristy McNichol's witty delivery. She's the star, and shines brightly.Other than the superficial alterings of dialog and music, that's the real shift in this film. Kristy is the hero, not Frederick a-la the stage production. She's the one that gets things rolling, not her love interest. In retrospect, that was a logical film marketing maneuvre. So, in essence, you're watching the female version of the Pirates of Penzance.There's tons of comedy here. Too many scenes and too many references to list. Some are delivered pretty fast, and almost whiz by if you're not on your toes. Note Mabel's expression as she rallies the police force with her final line. Or her interaction with the homage to Chief Inspector Crusoe. Really priceless comedic stuff. Other humor is a little telegraphed, some sight gags work, others not as much. Again, we're getting romance driven humor. Sex games without the sex.Still, if you ever get a chance, go see a revival of the original "Pirates of Penzance". Or, better yet, rent or buy the televised stage production with the original 1980's cast available on DVD.Either way give "The Pirate Movie" a shot. Me, I sure do wish I was young again, and had a woman like Mabel. It's probably the one roll in which I thought Kristy McNichole was really desirable. If you're a dude like me, and was around when this film was released, then watch it for that alone :-) Enjoy.