The Pirates of Penzance
Seen it?1983 | 112 min | Comedy, Music, Romance, Adventure
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (81% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for romantics, anyone who wants a laugh and adventure fans. If you loved The Princess Bride, start here.
- The mood
- Light and funny, romantic.
- The pace
- Breezy, at 1 hr 52 min.
- What might put you off
- Nothing much for most grown-ups.
As a young child, Frederic had been apprenticed to a pirate by mistake when he should have been apprenticed to a pilot. Now, having reached his 21st year, Frederic's indentures are at last over and he happily leaves the service of the pirates. When Frederic meets the beautiful Mabel, one of the many daughters (or wards in Chancery) of Major-General Stanley, they fall in love and decide to marry. However, complications arise when the pirates decide to marry the rest of the Major-General's daughters, themselves - and Frederic's birthdate turns out to be not all it seems.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
81% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$694K worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 50K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Wilford Leach
- Kevin KlineThe Pirate King
- Angela LansburyRuth
- Linda RonstadtMabel
- George RoseMaj. Gen. Stanley
- Rex SmithFrederic
- Tony AzitoSergeant
- David HattonSamuel
- Tim BentinckPirate
- Mike GradyPirate
- Andrew PaulPirate