Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.
Cutthroat Island (1995) Directed by Renny Harlin
”Congratulations, madam. There's another town you've destroyed.” William Shaw.
Morgan Adams is a pirate. Bold, fearless, impulsive, cunning, possessed of all the makings of a fine captain, and a scourge to free commerce. There is just one little problem with Morgan; she is a girl in what is definitely a man’s world.
When her father dies, he leaves her his most valued possession; a treasure map. It is tattooed to his scalp, so you know Morgan (Geena Davis) is not particularly squeamish. Actually, it is one third of a pirate map. The other two thirds are with Morgan’s uncles.
Morgan leverages the map into a chance to lead the men. Remember, Pirate ships were one of the earliest true democracies in the New World. Her chief rival is Tom Scully (Jimmy F. Skaggs), a ferrety sort that gives pirates a bad name….
Now in control of The Morningstar she sets course. One problem, the map is written in Latin. So they are off to procure a translator.
Meanwhile in Port Royal, William Shaw (Matthew Modine) has been getting in trouble, posing as a Doctor at a party, and stealing ladies jewels while distracting them with flirting and flattery. Captured, he will be sold as a slave.
Morgan buys him, after some creative bidding at auction, and then they are off for the second piece, held by Uncle Mordacai Fingers (George Murcell). Getting to see him requires a bit of effort, and subterfuge; Morgan dresses as a wench o’ the evenin’. Unfortunately, Uncle Dawg (Frank Langella) is also paying them a visit. Apparently, he figures with Harry gone, his girl’s map is up for grabs, and he may as well get them all.
There ensues a traditional pirate bar brawl. Shaw spots Mordacai’s map; part of a keg lid on the eel pot. He grabs it. Dawg shoots his niece. They escape, barely, and flee with two thirds of the map. Luckily for her, Shaw was not lying about being a doctor.
There is a budding romance between Shaw and Morgan. However, it is hampered by her need to be in control at all times, and his weasely lying shifty nature. She does not trust him. Nor does he trust her to give him what he feels he is due.
With two maps it is just a matter of figuring out the clues upon them to get them the bearings for Cutthroat Island. However, not only are they being pursued by Dawg Brown, but also the forces of the English navy, in the person of Governor Ainslee (Patrick Malahide) and his lackey, Capt. Trotter (Angus Wright). There are chases and storms and betrayals and thefts until at last they find the treasure. Of course, now the question becomes who can keep the treasure?
And what of Mr. Shaw? Will his greed out weigh his attraction to the lovely pirate captain? Will Morgan allow herself to be loved, rather than feared?
This movie bombed at the box office, which is a shame, since it is a rollicking good little adventure yarn. Yes, there are some fantastical elements, not the least of which is a female captain…though it is interesting to note that the Jolly Rodger that they fly over The Morning Star is the same one used by Capt. “Calico” Jack Rackham; the only Caribbean pirate with recorded women on his crew; Anne Bonnie and Mary Read. Not only were they pirates, Jack gave them his ship, making them female pirate captains, so maybe this story is not so very far fetched. Geena Davis is certainly an impressive enough physical specimen to carry the role. She did most of her own stunts, and many of the bruises and cuts are not makeup.
On a related not, Dawg's flag was from Captain Emmanuel Wynne, and is the oldest known Jolly Roger. Dawg's outfit matches pirate Kit Oloard's, so some efforts have been made on the history side of things. Look for the pistol with a spread of barrels; this too was taken from actual pirate gear.
The story is a ripping yarn, the action is fast and furious, perhaps a few too many explosions for historical accuracy, but then, no one said this was a documentary. It is beautiful, with the natural beauty of the islands providing a wonderful backdrop. The Morning Star is a great set as well, probably better kept than an actual pirate ship, but lovely none the less.
There is a lot of good meat on the bones of this story. The pacing is wonderful, keeping the tension high, but not wearing you out. It has a nice mix of humour and danger, and a number of interesting background characters like Mr. Blair (Rex Linn) the Quartermaster, with his full facial tattoos, Mr. Glasspool (Stan Shaw), and young Mr. Bowen (Chris Masterson) the cabin boy. I also adored King Charles, the monkey.
So if you like your adventure fast paced, your pirates bold, your villain formidable, this is the movie for you.
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