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Subject: NG Blackbeard adaptation Author: Susan [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 16:57:16 03/13/06 Mon Well, I got half my wish ... Did anybody else watch the new Blackbeard "movie" on the National Geographic Channel last night? It was definitely a dramatization, but all the narration over the top of it gave it a distinct documentary feel. Also, the only credited actors were James Purefoy and Mark Noble (as Israel Hands, a.k.a. the Narrator). While it was about as historically accurate as someone like me could ask for in a two-hour adaptation (with commercials), and the sets and costumes were all beautiful to look at if you like that kind of thing (e.g., I enjoyed the Crimson Pirate strictly because of the footage at sea), and the script was, in a purely technical way, pretty good, unfortunately, the film seemed to suffer from very lackluster directing. In a Blackbeard movie (especially one with the subtitle "Terror at Sea"!), one might expect something with a little more excitement to it (maybe even a little, uh, *terror*?), like "Master and Commander" or "Horatio Hornblower" ... or at least a lead actor (in the tradition of Robert Newton) who could command your attention and get you interested in the character, but the story just plodded from one factual event to the next, with nearly all the actors (whoever they were; I guess I can't blame them for wanting to remain anonymous) muttering their lines rather sullenly (when they could get a word in edgwise between the constant narration) and looking pretty bored most of the time. In the role of the pirate who was alleged to have inspired such awe and terror, James Purefoy, IMO, completely lacked any charisma whatsoever. Though he did sport a "piratey" Somerset accent, he spoke in a quiet monotone through clenched teeth, which allowed for only a single facial expression--seething and smouldering like the fuses under the brim of his hat, where the man beneath them should have been inspiring awe and loyalty, making history, through sheer force of personality. Of course, we all know who I wish could have played Blackbeard in this version--I'm sure he'd have roused the crew a little better than Purefoy. But, that not being possible, I can so easily imagine Geoffrey Rush in the role--I'd be content if he just rehashed his Captain Barbossa from Pirates of the Caribbean. (Also, even this version wasn't *perfectly* accurate ... they completely left out Blackbeard's mentor, Benjamin Hornigold, while the jolly roger shown briefly as belonging to Charles Vane--the famous one with the crossed swords where you'd normally expect crossed bones to be--was, in fact, the flag of another comtemporary Calico Jack Rackham, the guy who sailed with the two most famous women pirates, Anne Bonny and Mary Read. It's also the jolly roger used in Pirates of the Caribbean. But at least that film's an acknowledged work of fiction.) Oh well, there's always that US miniseries starring Angus Macfadyen coming in June! Let's see how they compare! (Of course, I'm sure even Macfadyen will be no Robert Newton. But it'd be nice if he tried!) [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

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[> Subject: Re: NG Blackbeard adaptation Author: Dan [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 16:57:48 03/16/06 Thu Yep, I saw it and I agree with your take Susan.The production was fine and the ships, clothing, etc were most likely quite accurate for the times. Purefoy is probably a close match physically to the real Blackbeard but a little more energy from him would have been nice. Except for the final scenes where he fights Maynard and Maynard's crew he seems pretty laid back for someone so notorious. While watching it I was thinking how well Newton could have done the role even if he were asked to play it seriously. I'm sure Newton could have come across very menacing had he had the opportunity to do this serious version of Blackbeard. When I watch Newton's version of Blackbeard it never ceases to amaze me how easily he slips into the role and how easily he uses the vocabulary with the natural ham he had. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: Re: NG Blackbeard adaptation Author: Susan [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 04:57:23 03/17/06 Fri I agree, Dan--Robert Newton could certainly be menacing when called for in serious films like "Obsession" or "Kiss the Blood Off My Hands." He's even pretty scary in his first scene in "Major Barbara," which I just rewatched the other night. (Well, *portions* of it.) Imagining him as Blackbeard in this version sends chills up my spine. Yet I'm sure he would have added a charismatic and compelling dimension as well--I suspect the real Blackbeard could be quite a charmer. I mean, he did manage to snare 14 wives, according to the legend! And charisma most certainly was a pre-requisite for holding a band of 400 scurvy cutthroats together! I'm sure Robert Newton's real-life Naval background helped him make all that nautical jargon sound so natural. (One of my favorite lines from "Blackbeard the Pirate" that rolled off his tongue so easily but then took me several minutes to decode: "Lash 'er t' the mizzen pinrail." [Me: "Mizzen _pinrail_? OK, 'mizzen' would be the rear mast. But pinrail ... pinrail ... Hmm, not in my dictionary of nautical terminology. Did I hear it right? Hey, could that be the rail where the belaying pins are hung around the mizzenmast ...? Well, I'll be, that's exactly where they've lashed 'er!" And thus did Robert Newton teach me a new word!] BTW, another version of Blackbeard he would have been so awesome in ... Have you ever seen "Blackbeard's Ghost"? It was a corny '60s Disney film starring Peter Ustinov. I loved the book back when I was about 12 or 13--of course, I was imagining RN in the role as I read. But then I saw the movie, and they had mangled the story almost beyond recognition. The book was much more spooky--and Blackbeard more beguiling, IMO, than Ustinov's somewhat goofy interpretation. Though the book's really geared towards kids or young adults, I re-read it again years later and still enjoyed it. If anybody's interested in finding a copy (and imagining Bob as the main character like I did), it's by Ben Stahl and was first published in 1965. (Of course, I highly suspect, given the year it was written, Robert Newton had some influence on the author's conception of the character!) [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: NG Blackbeard adaptation Author: Sue G. [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 10:00:31 03/22/06 Wed I did see the History Channel documentary on Monday night. It was about the possible discovery of the wreck of the Queen Anne's Revenge off of the coast of North Carolina (near Beaufort). In conclusion, they still are not sure that they have found it. There could be a combination of a couple of wrecks down there so they still are not sure that it is actually Blackbeard's ship. It was an interesting program. Just a comment: In the recreations they used a handsome actor to play Blackbeard. However, they could have put a fuller beard on him with the braids and bows attached. All of the pictures, paintings, drawings, etc..of Blackbeard have always depicted him with a full braided beard. It just would have made it seem more real for them to do the same. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: NG Blackbeard adaptation Author: Trisha [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 23:03:24 03/28/06 Tue Hello Everyone, I watched the NG special on Blackbeard several times, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought that the narration was nicely done. I agree that the main action of the film and Purefoy appeared a little sedate, but other than that, it was a good film. By the way, even though I'm partial to Robert Newton's portrayal of Blackbeard, I would really love to see a new adaptation of Blackbeard on the big screen. Even though not much is known about his early life, I think his last two years are on earth were very exciting and could make for an interesting film. What do you guys think? Your friend, Trisha :) [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: Re: NG Blackbeard adaptation Author: Dan [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 18:13:59 04/05/06 Wed I agree Trisha. A new big screen version of Blackbeard would be great though the actor playing him would have some mighty large shoes to fill. Given the popularity of recent pirate flicks with Johnny Depp, etc., seems the time is ripe for a movie on Blackbeard. Any thoughts on who could play the lead role? Perhaps someone unknown. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> Subject: Re: NG Blackbeard adaptation Author: Susan [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 04:04:04 04/10/06 Mon There was a time I'd have said Alan Rickman would be perfect for the part (in fact, I see many similarities between the personalities of Blackbeard and Rasputin, who Rickman portrayed so memorably in that HBO movie a few years back). Alas, however (dare I say it?), I think he's even looking a bit, uh (how can I put this delicately?) "distinguished" lately to play Snape in the Harry Potter movies--the character's only supposed to be in his 30s, and Alan's just turned 60 ... *NOT*, let me emphasize just in case anybody who makes HP casting decisions is listening, that I think the part should be recast; au contraire: he's *the* reason I go to see the Harry Potter movies in the first place! (Well, him and now Tim Spall and Ralph Fiennes and, uh ... what's the topic again??) Anyway, there's only one young actor I can think of on the scene today with the versatility, talent, and full-on charisma to portray Blackbeard; in fact, I've mentioned on another forum that I think he'd be perfect for the part, and several people heartily concurred he'd make a great pirate: Michael Sheen. He did a perfect caricature of an outrageous (yet endearing) punk rocker in "Laws of Attraction," while many people find his charismatic portrayal of arch-vampire Lucien in "Underworld" to be the most memorable performance in the film. He also got rave reviews for his unbridled stage performance as Caligula. (How I wish I could have seen that!) What do you think? Anybody else here familiar with Michael Sheen's work? [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> Subject: Re: NG Blackbeard adaptation Author: Trisha [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 22:32:26 04/11/06 Tue Susan, We share the same sentiments regarding Alan Rickman. Mr. Rickman has been one of my favorite actors for a very long time (Sense and Sensibility, Robin Hood, Rasputin, etc.), and one of the main reasons I like watching the Harry Potter films (*smiles*). By the way, I think Michael Sheen would make a terrific Blackbeard. I love his role in Underworld. As Dan posted earlier, I think the time is right for a big screen adaptation of Blackbeard. (We can hope and keep our fingers crossed that one day it will happen.) ;-) Your friend, Trisha :) [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: New NG magazine article Author: Susan [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 17:24:16 06/16/06 Fri The July 2006 issue of National Geographic has a feature on Blackbeard. You can currently read it online at: <a rel=nofollow target=_blank href="http://www7.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0607/feature6/index.html">http://www7.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0607/feature6/index.html</a> In part, it says, "Thought to be the inspiration for the fictional Captain Hook and Long John Silver, the great bearded one's image is as popular today as ever, from Johnny Depp's dashing plaits in Pirates of the Caribbean, to Ben Cherry's swaggering impersonation at the Hampton festival." Actually, any good Robert Louis Stevenson fan knows that the real inspiration for LJS was Stevenson's friend Ernest Henley. And we RN fans know that the real link between them was probably forged by Robert Newton himself! Not that RLS didn't know his pirate history and might have borrowed some of BB's personality traits for Treasure Island (he certainly borrowed the name of Blackbeard's ship's master, Israel Hands, for the coxswain of the Hispaniola). But LJS seems much different from BB to me since (1) in the book, LJS is said to have "fair" coloring, (2) he has a physical disability, (3) he has no beard to put lit fuses in! On the other hand, both characters are wily and manage to lead through force of personality. But LJS was forced to use his wits and charm much more in order to get what he wanted since he doesn't seem to have had the same imposing physical appearance, enhanced by intimidating theatrics, as BB did. Too bad NG left so much of the history in the article (e.g., Benjamin Hornigold and Stede Bonnet) out of their movie adaptation! Another thing the movie got wrong; the article describes him has "A huge man with fiery eyes and a booming voice." James Purefoy's interpretation definitely missed on the second two qualifications! Wish they'd have got this Ben Cherry to play him instead--he sounds like he's got the spirit! (Don't forget to watch Angus Macfadyen's portrayal this Saturday on the Hallmark Channel.) Anyway, it's a good article--Blackbeard fans should definitely check it out! (Even though there's no mention of Robert Newton. *sniff*) [ Post a Reply to This Message ]