Loosely inspired by the time-honored Disney theme-park ride, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL is a swashbuckling high-seas tale directed by Gore Verbinski. When Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), an eccentric rogue, arrives at Port Royal, he barely avoids going down with his ship. Soon enough, he's in the market for a new one, but not before he saves the life of Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), the beautiful daughter of the governor (Jonathan Pryce). This act of bravery sets into motion a sweeping adventure involving Elizabeth's childhood friend, blacksmith Will Turner (Orlando Bloom); a mysterious medallion; and a legendary pirate ship, the Black Pearl. The Pearl's mottled Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) wants Elizabeth's doubloon necklace, and when she's kidnapped by the ol' salty dog and his crew, Sparrow and young Will must rescue her and find out the truth behind the ship's curse.

Verbinski's PIRATES is a welcome throwback to Hollywood offerings of yesteryear, filled with rope-swinging heroes, crusty villains, treasure hoards, swift swordplay, and even wittier wordplay. Screenwriters Terry Rossio and Ted Elliott have crafted one of the most clever action-movie scripts in many moons, and this gives the filmmakers and cast (especially Depp) plenty of room to cut loose. Although the skeletal pirates may be a bit frightening for small children, there's lots of humor to temper the scary moments, making PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL a nearly flawless fun film.

Rating: PG-13 (MPAA)

Rating Reason: action/adventure violence

Runtime: 143 minutes

DVD Code: Region 1 US, CA

Genre: Action/Adventure

Color: Color

2-Disc Set, Special Edition

Rating: Blu-ray Disc Features:

Keep Case
Widescreen - 2.35
Audio:
Dolby Digital - English
Additional Release Material:
Blooper Reel
Featurettes: 1. AN EPIC AT SEA: The Making of
2. FLY ON THE SET
Interactive Features:
1. SCOUNDRELS OF THE SEA: Scoundrels Of The Sea: Build Your Own View Of Pirate History

Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Jack Davenport, Jonathan Pryce, Zoe Saldana, Mackenzie Crook, Lee Arenberg

Gore Verbinski

Jerry Bruckheimer

"...It's ornate and breathless..."
Entertainment Weekly (07/18/2003)

"...An often frenetic, colorful and enchanting comic adventure....The dazzling, high-flying silliness is quite an achievement..."

New York Times (07/09/2003)

"...A big-budget popcorn movie that delivers what moviegoers hunger for: humor, action, thrills and charismatic characters..."

USA Today (07/09/2003)

"...[Depp's] performance is original in every atom..."

Chicago Sun-Times (07/09/2003)

"...[With] disarming humor, engaging acting and colorful action bursts..."
Variety (07/14/2003)

"...Depp swans through this swashbuckler with a scene-stealing gusto unseen since Marlon Brando in MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY..."
Rolling Stone (08/07/2003)

"...Depp casts a spell every bit as powerful as any demonic bullion..."

Box Office (09/01/2003)

"..The most satisfying of this summer's blockbusters....Lively, humorous and well-cast..."

Sight and Sound (09/01/2003)

"...The swashbuckling smash stars a hysterical Johnny Depp..."

Us Weekly (12/15/2003)

"[Depp's] dippy delivery gives Gore Verbinski's pirate swashbuckler its gleeful sense of salty swish."

Total Film (07/01/2006)