pirates of blood river

While Hammer Films is known primarily as the "House of Horror" thanks to its long-running series of Dracula, Frankenstein and assorted monster films throughout the sixties and seventies, the studio actually branched out into other genres quite a bit during its history. 1962's The Pirates of Blood River is one of a few swashbucklers - including Captain Clegg and Night Creatures - that offered audiences a reprieve the onslaught of the undead. Here, Captain LaRoche (Hammer stalwart Christopher Lee) leads his motley crew through a deadly swamp in search of treasure hidden somewhere on a Huguenot farming settlement; treasure that even the settler's themselves claim doesn't exist!

The film's genesis begins with producer Anthony Nelson Keys requesting a script from staff writer Jimmy Sangster, the man responsible for most of Hammer's early success. But the one big caveat? There's no money for an actual pirate ship. So The Pirates of Blood River are an unwilling bunch of landlubbers, with all the action (ostensibly set in the West Indies) shot on the back lot at Bray Studios, Buckinghamshire. But thanks to some clever misdirection from John Gilling, who'd pulled the same trick a year prior with Fury at Smuggler's Bay, the movie never suffers from its budgetary handicaps. In fact, it winds up providing just as much action as any of the studio's horror efforts, minus the signature atmosphere.

Exiled by his own father after an act of adultery, Jonathon Standing (Kerwin Mathews) escapes from a prison camp and falls right into the hands of LaRoche and his men. Convinced that LaRoche is simply looking for a safe place to restock his ship, Jonathon leads them to the settlement. But the pirate breaks his word, imprisoning the population and threatening to hang two people every day until the location of the treasure is revealed.

Convinced no such treasure exists, Jonathon seeks his father's counsel, desperate to save his people at all costs. But after an old family secret is revealed, the two men are at odds over sacrificing a fortune in gold in exchange for the lives of every man, woman and child. Which is the greatest threat: the enemy within or the enemy without?

Originally released on a double-bill with Columbia Pictures' Mysterious Island (another awesome but out-of-print Twilight Time release), The Pirates of Blood River opens with a gruesome (for 1962) piranha attack, then segues into a prison breakout, swordfights, gunplay, booby traps and a deadly game of blind man's bluff. There's no shortage of excitement and, while Hammer was never known for their action scenes, Gilling keeps the pace moving with an admirable mastery of matinee thrills...ship or no ship!

As a heroic figure, Kerwin Mathews' performance is about as generic as his turn in The 7th Voyage of Sinbad and supporting hero Glenn Corbett (Route 66) is even worse. But Hammer regulars abound, giving the material a boost just by their very presence. From Andrew Kier and Michael Ripper (finally playing something besides a bartender) to the great Christopher Lee, complete with disfigured hand, buckled leather and a quietly convincing French accent. Even Oliver Reed makes an early appearance, dueling to the death in the film's signature scene. They're all-in from the opening credits, illustrating exactly why Hammer was Britain's most popular and prolific film exporters. It may not be a horror classic, but it's compelling cinema nonetheless.

Twilight Time's 3000-copy limited edition offers an upgrade from previous Columbia four-film collection (which looked very good). Pirates' bright outdoor photography translates into an incredibly detailed hi-def image, full of oversaturated colors on costumes and greenery. Extras include and isolated music and effects track, trailer, liner notes and excellent audio commentary carried over from the previous release. Now bring on some of what Hammer does best!