The Buccaneers

Let's Go A Rovin' And Join The Buccaneers!
The mid to late 1950s and early 1960s saw numerous costume adventure series produced in England and exported to the United States, series like "The Adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel," "The Adventures of Robin Hood," "The Adventures of Sir Lancelot," "Ivanhoe," "William Tell" and "Sir Francis Drake." In the wake of the successful series "The Adventures of Robin Hood," the same production company, Sapphire Films, made "The Buccaneers" for the 1956-57 season on CBS. "The Buccaneers" focuses on the exploits of reformed pirate Dan Tempest and his crew as they aid Lt. Beamish, the acting governor of New Providence, a small British colony in the Caribbean. Robert Shaw, perhaps best remembered for his portrayal of "Quint," the doomed shark hunter in "Jaws," portrays Captain Tempest. Like "The Adventures of Robin Hood," "The Buccaneers" was produced for a juvenile audience but thanks to some good writing and acting, adults can enjoy this fun adventure series. Look for guest stars like...

Thigh High Leather Boots!
Nearly 50 years before Jack Sparrow there was The Buccaneers.

I loved this series when I was 10. Allowing for the technology of the time, it's still a fun show, with good dialogue and good acting. Camera work is generally tight and the sets don't shake.

I am still in love with Lt. Beamish, and the wary relationship he and Tempest develop. But after watching and rewatching 50 years later, I find Hammond's Beamish is the best character in the show. Certainly the most developed one. (And this close to drop-dead gorgeous). Shaw was pretty much playing himself. But Hammond fleshed out what was essentially a comedy relief role of a naive bumbler with authority figure issues into someone with real grit underneath, added the touchstone orf "King and Country", honor and friendship, and went toe to toe with Shaw's ego and came out dead even or sometimes ahead.

The ad-libs and one-upmanship in this old series are just a tickle. I have no idea of what the...

Robert Shaw The Pirate
This is a great set and what a price. The quality is excellent and where can you get so many shows at this price. The shows are very well done, I've watched all of them and loved all. I remember watching this show as a kid so this made it even better.

Click to Editorial Reviews