This was a very early film done in “two strip” Technicolour, so it was probably pretty shocking to audiences in its day for a number of reasons, and a recent remastering means we have a lovely, clear print of it to enjoy now. Although Fairbanks had previously done swashbuckler films, I think The Black Pirate is the primary seed of all future pirate movies.

This is the one they all draw from in one way or another, because its so well done, and while I only have one real criticism of it, so much of what we think of when we think of a “pirate movie” or “high seas adventure film” is all present and accounted for, right here. When it comes to cinematography, music, stunt work, performances, and pacing, this movie is pretty much without flaw.

The main focus, as with Thief of Bagdad and other Douglas Fairbanks adventure films is of course Fairbanks and his enthusiastically physical stunt work, including swinging from ropes, climbing up things with incredible vigour, lowering himself from high up in the mast by sticking a knife in a sail and “riding” it down, and — needless to say — swashing his buckles impressively.

Lest this degenerate into a Fairbanks fan fest, I should mention that the noted actor and director Donald Crisp plays McTavish, who assists our hero even in his darkest hours. Crisp had directed Fairbanks in Don Q, Son of Zorro a year earlier, and their chemistry is very obvious here.

The story is credited to Fairbanks, who used a pseudonym and essentially cobbled a Cliff Notes version of Howard Pyle’s The Book of Pirates and their archetypal illustrations. The plot moves along surprisingly speedily for a film from the 1920s, and the film’s 94 minutes go by very easily thanks to minimal plot breaks between action scenes.

The film opens immediately to one of those action scenes, where pirates have already taken over a ship and are plundering it before setting fire to the gunpowder in a manner that gives them time to get away before the ship blows up. Two survivors wash ashore on a deserted island, a father and son. As the father dies, the son (Fairbanks) vows revenge on the pirates.

When the pirates park their own ship on the opposite side of the island, Fairbanks appears as the boastful “Black Pirate” and demands to join their crew, setting himself two challenges that he completes that impresses everyone but the second-in-command Pirate Lieutenant, which sets up the conflict.

When the Black Pirate leads the ship to another successful raid (but cleverly prevents them from blowing up the ship), the crew are pretty much ready to make him Captain but for the Lieutenant. When a woman (Billie Dove) is discovered on board the raided ship, the Lieutenant claims her as his prize, but the Black Pirate — who has fallen in love with her on first sight — claims she is a princess they can hold for hostage as long as she remains “spotless and unharmed,” i.e. no raping!

After a few twists, Fairbanks saves the day and the dame, of course, with the help of troops who successfully rout the pirates. Luckily for him, the “princess” has fallen for him as well, and it turns out he’s actually a Duke, and she a noblewoman! How incredibly convenient (nobody cares, it’s the action scenes that are important).

One amusing note of trivia: apparently Fairbanks’ wife Mary Pickford insisted on doubling for Dove for the scene were the Black Pirate kisses the Princess. Jealous much, ma’am?

The one criticism I have is that, although the pirates do get busted, the Black Pirate does in fact lead a raid on another ship, allowing the pirates to steal all the passengers’ valuables (but preventing their mass murder) and takes a hostage who really has no choice but to fall in love with him because otherwise she’ll be raped by the Lieutenant and likely the rest of the crew. I must also point out that the TV show “Mythbusters” also tested the “riding down a split sail” trick and declared it implausible — this hasn’t stopped it being used repeatedly in pirate movies since 1926, though.

Add The Black Pirate to your list of enjoyable popcorn action movies. The sort-of colour helps, but this is really a stunt movie that sets the tone for the genre of seafaring adventure, and so even if the plot is a bit lightweight, it remains a great film.