THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES [1964 / 2021] [Blu-ray] [UK Release] See Christopher Lee as the Evil Spanish Captain Robeles in Glorious Technicolor and HAMMERSCOPE!
An action-packed adventure drama set in the summer of 1588. ‘THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES’ stars Christopher Lee in a memorable turn as the evil captain of a Spanish privateer Captain Robeles intent on mayhem and murder! Stylishly directed by Don Sharp and one of several swashbucklers made by Hammer Films in the 1960’s. It is featured here as a High Definition restoration from original film elements in its as-exhibited theatrical 2.35:1 aspect ratio.
While the British fleet is engaged in a desperate battle with the Armada, a Spanish vessel, the Diablo, puts in at a lonely inlet on the Cornish coast for emergency repairs. Finding a nearby village, the Spaniards terrorise the local population and take village girls as hostages.
FILM FACT: The film ‘THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES’ was the first of several collaborations between Don Sharp and star Christopher Lee. In the early 1960s Hammer Films were best known for their horror movies, but they also tried other genres. The studio made a swashbuckler, ‘The Pirates of Blood River’ [1962], written by Jimmy Sangster and starring Christopher Lee; it was a success at the box office, so Hammer Films commissioned Jimmy Sangster to write another pirate-themed story for Christopher Lee, ‘THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES.’ "The idea was to release these bloody-but-not-too- bloody adventure films during school holidays, and they made a fortune on them," said Don Sharp, who would direct ‘THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES.’ Don Sharp had just made his first feature for Hammer Films, ‘Kiss of the Vampire’ and was invited back to work at the studio by Tony Hinds. Don Sharp says the film was aimed at the school holiday market so it needed to have a "U" certificate. “But they wanted it to look like an X film. So we had an action film with kids in it,” said Don Sharp. The outdoor sets were previously utilised for Hammer Films ‘The Scarlet Blade,’ made the previous year. Michael Ripper, Duncan Lamont and Suzan Farmer appeared in both films. The opening scene was shot in a flooded gravel pit a couple of miles up the road from Bray Studios. On the other side of the road council workers were starting to build a motorway so Don Sharp had the crew laid smoke to obscure trucks in the background.
Cast: Sir Christopher Lee, Andrew Keir, John Cairney, Duncan Lamont, Michael Ripper, Ernest Clark, Barry Warren, Suzan Farmer, Natasha Pyne, Annette Whiteley, Charles Houston, Philip Latham, Harry Locke, Leonard Fenton, Jack Rodney, Barry Linehan, Bruce Beeby, Michael Peake, Johnny Briggs, Michael Newport, Peter Howell, June Ellis, Bill Brandon (uncredited) and Joseph O'Conor (uncredited)
Director: Don Sharp
Producer: Anthony Nelson Keys
Screenplay: Jimmy Sangster
Screenplay: Jimmy Sangster
Composer: Gary Hughes
Costume and Wardrobe Department: Rosemary Burrows
Sailing Master: Captain R.C.S. Garwood, C.B.E., D.S.O., R.N.
Special Effects: Les Bowie
Cinematography: Michael Reed, B.S.C. (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080p (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 (Anamorphic HAMMERSCOPE]
Audio: English: 2.0 LPCM Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English
Running Time: 86 minutes
Region: Region B/2
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Hammer Film Productions / Warner-Pathé Distributors Ltd. / STUDIOCANAL / Network
Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: With the film ‘THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES’ [1964], it is July 1588 and in the English channel the British fleet has been battling for two days against the mighty Spanish armada. Badly damaged with half their crews killed, the ships of Spain battle their way on up the English Channel. And the thickest part of the fighting is one of the smallest Spanish Armada ships, the licensed privateer galleon “Diablo.”
As the damaged privateer deserts the Spanish Armada and makes land for repairs near a village on the British Cornwall coast, go about terrorizing the local inhabitants. They have to put it near from a village on the coast for repairs. The place is small and isolated and the Spanish military convince the villagers that the British fleet has been defeated and that they are now their conquerors. The hot-blooded as well as shipwrecked crew of cut-throats is led by Captain Robeles [Sir Christopher Lee].
The opening scene in the film ‘THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES’ is in totally spectacular style with a large-scale sea battle. I was expecting this to have been recycled stock footage, but sources indicate it was miniature work by the brilliant Les Bowie. If so, all I can say is, well done, because it’s a very impressive piece of work. There’s nothing else like it and although with the fiery finale, involving a full-size galleon Diablo which cost Hammer Films $17,000, is larger scale than most Hammer Films managed.
The plot is fairly standard stuff, but very well told and demonstrates a bit more depth than typical swashbucklers. The staunch British defend their island from invading foreigners. Thematically, it has as much in common with ‘The Adventures of Robin Hood’ as it does with ‘The Eagle has Landed.’ As Winston Churchill put it with his speech in World War II, where he says, "We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender."
The film ‘THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES’ is an interesting touch that adds depth and separates this film from the usual pirate fair. By including Barry Warren's sympathetic and honourable Spaniard character, the film narrowly avoids stereotyping the Spanish and is a token effort, but one that raises the tone somewhat.
Most of this does take place on land though, as Captain Robeles tries to impose his will on the village. Initially, it seems that Tom, played by Andrew Keir, will be the protagonist, as leader of the anti-Spanish forces. However, he incurs the wrath of the Captain Robeles, and the task devolves onto his son, Harry, played by John Cairney. He’s not a memorable hero; indeed, I’d say Natasha Pyne, playing Harry’s sister, Jane, probably makes more of an impression. Jane is the first to meet the Spaniards, and is captured, but manages to escape. This is significant, because she knows the truth about the defeat of the Spanish Armada.
But this film belongs to Sir Christopher Lee, who holds the audience’s attention every time he is on screen and remarkably, this was the first time he was top-billed in a Hammer film. His willingness to do whatever it takes is apparent from his very first scene, and that lends an edge to all the ones which follow. Captain Robeles is smart enough to know when something is up, and takes six village girls hostage when the galleon Diablo is ready to sail, to ensure there’s no funny business planned by the locals. Which, naturally, there is.
With the Hammer film, screenwriter Jimmy Sangster and he remarked that this Hammer film's basic premise is similar to that of the film ‘The Desperate Hours’ [1955] in which a gang of criminals holds a family hostage. Well produced by Anthony Nelson Keys at Bray studios, England, with nice production design by Bernard Robinson, in fact the "village square" set was also used, only slightly altered in the film ‘The Crimson Blade.’ Evocative as well as thrilling film musical score by Gary Hughes. Wonderful colourful cinematography is done in the typical Hammer Films style by Michael Reed.
‘THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES’ is a very entertaining pirate British film, plenty of action, thrills, exciting sword-play, luxurious costumes, athletic feats, enjoyable film score; all melded together under Don Sharp's right direction. Combination of spectacular ships battle, sword-play and full of villainy, betrayal, with swashbuckling and heroism. Hammer Films Production built a real Spanish pirate ship for the film planning to reuse it on other genre pirate films.
The full-sized galleon was built in some sand pits on a steel structure under the water; although warned not to have too many people on board at once, one day the tea boat was lifted onto a platform level with the water with too many people getting their tea. The galleon ship capsized throwing most of the cast and crew in the water, thankfully no one was drowned or seriously hurt.
Sir Christopher Lee excels in the role of the nasty Captain Robeles. He looks magnificent in the red uniform and moves with incredible authority at all times. There are a good number of fencing sequences that are carried off with remarkable skill and dexterity; a real showcase of Sir Christopher Lee's ability. The final sequences aboard the “Diablo” galleon are simply stunning. This is one pirate film that shouldn't be missed...and that's an order, Mister!
BONUS: Before the film starts, we get the original BRITISH BOARD OF CENSORS Certificate and informs us: This is to Certify the ‘THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES’ has been passed for GENERAL EXHIBITION. The film was given a “U” rating.
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Blu-ray Image Quality – Hammer Film Productions, Warner-Pathé Distributors Ltd., STUDIOCANAL and Network presents the film ‘THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES’ that was scanned from a 35mm interpositive and fully restored in its original theatrical 2.35:1 aspect ratio by SONY Pictures Entertainment. ‘THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES’ was originally shown in HammerScope, and was a 4-perf 35mm anamorphic film recording process for 35mm widescreen films and was introduced in 1957. Credited as “ByronScope” on at least one other film released. To produce the original UK version, some additional title elements were scanned and restored before being seamlessly incorporated into the feature film. Colourist and Restoration by Jonathan Wood. Please Note: Playback Region B/2: This will not play on most Blu-ray players sold in North America, Central America, South America, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. Learn more about Blu-ray region specifications.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – Hammer Film Productions, Warner-Pathé Distributors Ltd., STUDIOCANAL and Network brings the film ‘THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES’ with one standard 2.0 LPCM Stereo Audio experience. The audio is nicely rounded and also gives us a good dynamic range and is also very clear, well-modulated sound with no distortion or age-related surface noise, pops, or crackles. The outstanding sound you get if the cannon fire at the start of the film and of course the dramatic clashes of the swords in certain parts of the film that are very realistic and exciting. The dialogue of the cast is quite sharp and very clear. The composed film score by Gary Hughes really enhances this swash buckling pirate film and gives a real ambience to the more dramatic parts of the film. So all in all, this is a very good audio experience.
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Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
Special Feature: Two Original Theatrical Trailers [1965 / 1964] [1080p] [1.66:1] [5:03] In the period between the 1940’s, 1950’s and 1960’s of going to a British cinema, you would get what is called a “double feature” and was a motion picture industry phenomenon in which theatres would exhibit two films for the price of one, or sometimes they would show just one feature film and various short subject reels would be shown. So just before the film ‘THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES’ starts, we get to view two Original Theatrical Trailers that would have been shown before the main film presentation, and they inform us:
FOR YOUR FUTURE ENTERTAINMENT
ALL NEXT WEEK
‘INVASION’ [1965]
Starring: Edward Judd, Lyndon Brook, Yoki Tani, Valerie Gearon, Eric Young, Tsai Chin, Barrie Ingham and Anthony Sharp
Directed by Alan Bridges
Produced by Jack Greenwood
Screenplay by Roger Marshall
Released by Anglo-Amalgamated Distributors Limited
AND
‘Unearthly Stranger’ [1964]
They inform us that: The Fantastic Story of An Experiment Into The Unknown! TERROR – Beyond All Earthly Comprehension . . . SUSPENCE – Beyond All Human Endurance!
Starring: John Neville, Philip Stone, Gabriella Licudi, Patrick Newell, Jean Marsh and Warren Mitchell
Directed by John Krish
Produced by Albert Fennell
Screenplay by Rex Carlton
Released by Anglo-Amalgamated Distributors Limited. Released Throughout The United Kingdom by Warner-Pathé Distributors Limited.
Special Feature: The Unlevel-Ship Pirates [2021] [1080p] [1.78:1] [00:00] Here we get to view a brand-new featurette on the making of this classic Hammer Film Productions swashbuckler film ‘THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES.’ Here we first meet Hugh Harlow [2nd Assistant Director] and talks about his memories of working on the film ‘THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES,’ and the outstanding aspect of the film for him was about getting married to his wife Pauline White on the 3rd August, 1963 and the start of shooting the film on the 9th August, 1963, but first they were allowed to go on their honeymoon in Torquay, which is a seaside resort town on the English Channel in Devon, south west England. But while down there Hugh Harlow got a phone call from the Bray Film Studios in Water Oakley near Bray, Berkshire where they were shooting the film ‘THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES’ and was asked to cut short the honeymoon and come back to the studio in readiness for the final phase in preparation for the shooting of the film. Hugh Harlow really enjoyed filming the final destruction scene of the pirate ship, which he thought was really spectacular. Next we meet Pauline White [Continuity] and talks of fond memories about the director Don Sharp, who as a very nice and considerate person, who was very good and professional at his craft and really enjoyed working with him, and especially working on this film with him, as he knew what he wanted out of this film. Pauline White also informs us that the village in the film was completely built on the set of Bray Film Studios, but behind Bray Studios they were building the M4 Motorway and they had to have the camera at a lower angle so they did not film the construction work of the M4 Motorway. Pauline White talks about the building of the pirate ship and it was all done by the Bray Studios carpenters, as they could not afford to bring in professional carpenters outside the studio system and also they had to make sure the pirate ship was sea worthy. Pauline White talks about the time of the tea breaks and they had a couple of tea ladies floated out to the ship on a pontoon with all the provisions, but when it pulled up against the ship, everyone rushed to the side of the ship, it started to lurch over and nearly capsized and the tea ladies and the provisions ended up in the water, as did people on the ship and one of the actors could not swim, so one of the stuntmen rescued him from drowning and the other near fatal incident was at the same time all the rigging above crashed down, but luckily was caught by other stuff and Pauline White was under all this, but luckily did not get hurt and was carefully helped out from the rigging and gallant man was the actor Christopher Lee who rescued Pauline White. The lake where they did the filming for the pirate ship and eventually when it was set on fire and exploded, and Pauline White says today the grounds around the lake has been purchased by the Thames Hospice and was also helped the purchase by voluntary donations from the public and over a four year period they have built a brand new hospice centre and should have had a grand opening in 2020, but due to the COVID-19 situation they had to cancel it, but despite this setback, they opened the hospice centre and on top of all that, visitors can walk around the landscaped lake and there is a notice informing the visitors that the lake was used to film ‘THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES’ film. Next we meet Annette Whiteley who played the character “Meg” and talks extensively about the filming of the destruction of the pirate ship and they had only one chance to film the destruction and had a lot of preparation to get it filmed just once and watching it from the stand point on a hill was a very exciting thing to watch. Next we meet Dinny Powell who was one of the stuntman in the film and talks about that the ship was originally a very large barge that was converted to look like a Spanish pirate ship. At this point with the interviews with the contributors ends and was quite a nice little interview feature hearing all their memories on working on ‘THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES’ film. This was produced, recorded and edited by James McCabe.
Special Feature: Hammer Time [2021] [1080p] [1.78:1 / 2.35:1] [17:12] Here we have a brand new interview with actress Annette Whiteley who played the character “Meg,” who talks about her memories on working on the film ‘THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES.’ Annette Whiteley talks about her lovely agent Olive Harding, who worked as a Theatrical Agent & Director of London Representation Int. Ltd., who had a lot of actors on her books that included Peter Finch and Leslie Caron and decided to add Annette Whiteley to her clients list and Annette Whiteley was desperate to be a real proper actress for the stage. But one day Olive Harding telephoned Annette Whiteley about a script that had just landed on her desk for a period film and that there was a nice part in the film for this actress and asked Annette if she would be interested to appear in the film, so before any decision, Annette was sent the script and was very enthusiastic to appear in the film. Annette mentions that there was a famous pub at Bray Film Studios, where all the famous stars would hang out at the establishment, and everyone was invited to a lunch at the pub, where Annette met all the cast who were to appear in the film, and especially excited in seeing Christopher Lee about of couple of feet from her. Annette Whiteley talks fondly about her part in the film and also getting on with some of the male actors, who some of them have appeared in other Hammer Film Productions and especially had more acting experience than Annette had. Annette Whiteley also talks about fond memories of working alongside the actor Duncan Lamont who Annette got on very well with and found the actor had a very dry sense of humour. Then there was sent a note round to everyone to ask if two people would like to attend a local beauty contest and Duncan Lamont persuaded Annette to go along with him for a laugh, and so both finally arrived at this church hall where they found loads of young ladies well kitted out in their finery, but there was one young lady who they called plain jane, as her outfit was not so good, but because Duncan Lamont had a few beers too many and for a laugh made Annette vote with Duncan Lamont for the plain jane and this young lady won and Annette says looking back, now feels very guilty in what they did. Annette Whiteley talks fondly about the actor Christopher Lee, who is what she calls a “true actor” and could fight for real with a sword, was never out of his costume, but would always mix with everyone. Annette Whiteley found filming a great deal of fun and excitement, and her overall memory of working on the film ‘THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES’ was again a great deal of fun and did not feel like hard work because everyone had great camaraderie and working on a Hammer film was a great atmosphere and Hammer Film Productions treated everyone really well, and Annette overall had the best time ever. This was produced, recorded and edited by James McCabe.
Special Feature: Boy’s Own Adventure [2021] [1080p] [1.78:1 / 2.35:1] [24:04] Here we have a brand interview with actor Michael Newport who played the character “Smiler,” who was 10 years old at the time of the shooting of the film and talks about his fond memories of working on the film ‘THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES’ and felt the whole experience was magical. Michael Newport also talks about the time he met Jimmy Sangster [Screenwriter] on the set and told him it was his idea and concept about the film and that it was going to be an adventurous film about pirates. Michael Newport talks about his first acting experience was doing a television commercial advert for Scott’s Porridge Oats, but on the other hand, appearing in a major film was a much different experience, because he had to learn a lot of lines. Also Michael Newport’s greatest thrill is seeing his name in the credits when he saw the film for the first time. Also filming at the Bray Film Studios felt like it was in the middle of nowhere, as Michael Newport lived on an RAF base and everyday a car would come to pick him up with his Mum. When Michael first saw Bray Film Studios he thought the sets were amazing for a 10 year old boy, as he had never seen anything like this before, and of course went looking behind the erect buildings and was shocked to see there was no actual building, just a façade and nothing else and big wooden items holding up the façade. When not acting in front of the camera, would watch the other actors doing their scenes and was totally and utterly fascinated. One thing Michael did, was that he really get on well with everyone and especially the female actors and had a slight crush on one of the female actors, but when it came to working with Christopher Lee and the other male actors, he felt they were massively tall at the time, but apart from that experience, it was a great deal of fun. Michael also found Christopher Lee really nice and very friendly and when the actor picks him up and sits beside Christopher Lee he was not at all scared or intimidated with the actor. What Michael really enjoyed was watching the other actor’s scenes, especially watching the young actress who falls into the nasty smelly bog and the first time she was filmed nearly drowned, but luckily was saved by some quick action by the director and the next time they filmed her added some safety features in the bog. And the other scene he enjoyed watching being filmed was two locals fighting two of the Spanish pirates and seeing the net trapping them, and again he felt this was a very exciting scene being filmed, but overall, he felt the whole of the filming experience really fascinating and very exciting for a 10 year old young boy. But being in the film helped his acting career for the next 10 year, especially working in British television. This was produced, recorded and edited by James McCabe.
UK Theatrical Trailer [1964] [1080i] [2.35:1] [2:41] This is the Original Theatrical Trailer for the United Kingdom for the film ‘THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES.’ It was also promoted as a double feature with the Original Theatrical Trailer for the film ‘The Invincible Seven’ [1963] and they claim that both films are “A GIANT ADVENTURE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! ALL COLUR, ALL CERT “U” PROGRAMME! DON’T MISS IT!”
USA Theatrical Trailer [1964] [1080p] [2.35:1] [2:52] This is the Original Theatrical Trailer for the USA for the film ‘THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES.’ They announce that “They fought to beat the devil . . . There were no rules . . . and no mercy!”
Special Feature: Image Gallery [1964] [1080p] [1.78:1] [6:47] Here you get to view 136 stunning images of International Cinema Posters, International Lobby Cards that were colour hand painted publicity advertising material for the film ‘THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES.’ We also get to view images from the promotional brochure given away at the film’s premiere, full colour and black-and-white publicity photographic images from the film and also black-and-white lobby card images from the film. Images courtesy of the John Jones Collection.
PLUS: FIRST PRESSING ONLY: A beautiful collector’s 20 page booklet featuring new writing on the film by Neil Sinyard entitled HAMMER’S ARMADA – Don Sharp’s The Devil-Ship Pirates. We also get THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES informing us the story, the cast and the credits. ADVERTISING BLOCKS. SCENE BLOCKS. YOUR WARBER-PATHE CAMPAIGN. THE “FUL OF ACTION” CARTOON SERIALISATION. PHOTOGRAPHIC MONTAGE. THE INVINCIBLE SEVEN. COLOUR-IN CONTEST BLOCK. SINGLE FEATURE ADVERTS. Plus loads of promotion black-and-white and colour images from the film and International Film Posters.
BONUS: Reversible printed Blu-ray cover featuring original artwork and different colour International Film Posters for the film ‘THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES’
Finally, THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES’ is beautifully shot in Technicolor with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio widescreen production with lots of action. ‘THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES’ is a well-paced and a directed Hammer film with a decent budget and fine acting, including Sir Christopher Lee (then just plain Mr. Christopher Lee) convincingly mean and cruel as a Spanish pirate captain. It is one of Sir Christopher Lee's better acting jobs in my opinion as he swashes and buckles all through the film and including some good sword fights in an energetic swashbuckling role. Also you have English vs. Spanish pirates at the time of the Armada, while not much action at sea, but there is plenty of action. ‘THE DEVIL-SHIP PIRATES’ was all done on a shoestring but certainly doesn't look it and boasts all the usual Hammer trademarks of solid, if slightly dull heroes, heaving bosoms, weak authority figures, cowed locals and a meaty villains. Will hold your attention and moves at a brisk pace, therefore everyone can watch and everyone will be entertained. Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
