The Devil-Ship Pirates

1964
Approved
1h 26m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

A damaged privateer deserts the Spanish Armada and makes land for repairs near a village on the British coast, terrorizing the local inhabitants.A damaged privateer deserts the Spanish Armada and makes land for repairs near a village on the British coast, terrorizing the local inhabitants.A damaged privateer deserts the Spanish Armada and makes land for repairs near a village on the British coast, terrorizing the local inhabitants.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.0/10

948

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
According to Sir Christopher Lee, Hammer had built a full-sized galleon 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 ship capsized throwing most of the cast and crew in the water. Lee was on the poop deck and luckily managed to hold onto the rail. Thankfully no one was drowned or seriously hurt.

Goofs
The naval battle depicted in the opening credits sequence, purported to be a battle involving the Spanish Armada in 1588, and which is obviously stock footage from some other film, includes wooden naval vessels and, more glaringly, naval attire from a much later period, late-18th Century at least.

Quotes
The Bosun: [Referring to the Spanish attache] He's still alive!
Captain Robeles: Throw him overboard!

Crazy credits
Opening credits prologue: July 1588

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 Channel. And in the thickest part of the fighting is one of the smallest Spanish ships-the licensed privateer "Diablo".

Alternate versions
For its original UK cinema release the film was cut by the BBFC with edits to the fight in the tavern in order to receive a 'U' certificate. All later video releases were restored and uncut.

Connections
Featured in The World of Hammer: Hammer Stars: Christopher Lee (1994)

User reviews24

Review

Featured review

7/10

Good swashbuckling fun for all viewers

Beautiful Eastmancolor 2.35:1 widescreen production with lots of action. "The Devil-Ship Pirates" is a well-paced and directed Hammer film with a decent budget and fine acting, including Sir Christopher Lee (then just plain Mr. Lee) convincingly mean and cruel as a pirate captain. One of Lee's better acting jobs in my opinion as he swashes and buckles (including some good sword fights) in an energetic role.

English vs. Spaniards and pirates at the time of the Armada, while not much at sea there is plenty of action. Will hold your attention and moves at a brisk pace, therefore everyone can watch and everyone will be entertained.